West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-02-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From Geo. W. Summers.)

OUR LETTER
(From Geo. W. Summers.)
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-THE hold
of the Republican national on |
'ention the day after the general pri- !
nary election in West Virginia. at
which delegates to the national con- |
must be elected, under the
provisions OF the new primary law.
means either the acknowledgements OF
he West Virginia Republicans in that
convention or the naming OF their
delegates by party bosses, as In the
rood old days before the people were
supposed to have a voice in their Sc
ection. A suggestion that the Cover
nor call an extra session OF the legis-
.ature to amend the primary law 30
delegates could be selected at an ear
Ter date met with no favor because Il
IN extra session OF the legislature Is
called and the debt case is not in
cluded In the purposes for which Il
Is called the Supreme Court probably
would become active in enforcing its
opinion as to the amount OF the debt
due by West Virginia, and insist on
It's payment, which the Governor does
not want done till after the election
or at least until after the nominations
are made. The conflict Of dates for
the national convention and the West
Virginia primary election prevents the
holding OF a Presidential preference
vote by the Republicans, for by the
the vote is counted the nomina-
for President probably will have
made. 1t is limited that as this
will leave an unInstructed delegation
o West Virginia. friends Of Cover
nor Hatfield may present his name for
the Presidency and count on a solid
vote from West Virginia to support
him as a compromise candidate. This
Is said by some to be the reason why
the Governor has not announced his
candidacy for the Senate.
+
Senator Chiffon and the Democratic
members Of the House from West Vir-
ginia have gone TO ~Parkersburg to at
tend the meeting of the State commit
tee, which is expected to draw as
many prominent Democrats from all
e the state as a state convention
used to draw. 1t is understood to be
a meeting for general conference for
the good OF the party and to get the
views Of as many party men as DOS
sible on present day conditions.
+
Senator Chiffon has been conducting
the hearings on the fitness OF Louis ID.
Brandeis to be a justice OF the Su-
preme Court. AT the outset, the sub
committee Of which Senator Chiffon Is
chairman, said the hearings should be
open, so there could be no star-cham-
Der proceedings. and the public has
been advised of every important mat
ter brought out at the hearings.
+
Former Senator William Campbell
OF Charles Town, editor of the Viz
ginia Free Press and II OF the oriei-
nal Wilson men in West Virginia, has
been appointed to a position with the
Fedora Trade Commission, upon the
recommendation OF Senator Chiffon.
The position is understood to be a very
desirable one and n requiring spec
al fitness along certain lines which
Mr.. Campbell is said to possess.
+
Senator Chilton's substitute for
Senator Tillman's bill for the erection
d a Federal armor plate plant was
ldopted by the committee on naval
lhairs and reported to the Senate for
action. 1t provides that a plant may
either be purchased or constructed
II one can be purchased it would save
several years in the beginning Of gov
eminent manufacture of armor plate.
+
The historic site of the old Jail at
Charles Town, where John Brown was
confined while awaiting trial and e
:ution just prior to the Civil war. has
1een selected by the government as
The site OF a postofice building TO be
'rected there in conformity to a bill
oasssd through the Senate by Senator
Chiffon and through the House by
congressman Brown. The building is
o contain a tablet stating that it Is
1uilt on the site of the old Jail where
John Brown was imprisoned.
+
The Shackelford good roads bill.
supported in the House by every
Democratic member from West Viz
yinia, has received the approval OF
State Road Engineer Williams. OF West
Virginia. who has been here to urge
Senator's Chiffon and Gof to support
L In the Senate in preference to the
bill which has been under considera-
ton there.
+
Before leaving for Huntington 10
deliver an address TO the Board OF
Trade, Senator Chiffon was a guest
II the President at a dinner at the
White House.
+
Senator Chiffon has introduced pen
sion bills for Edward d. Newman of
East Bank. and John F. Lewis of
Charleston.
+
Senator Chiffon has had a postofBce
established at sumerco. near Train.
Lincoln county, with Fred G.. May