West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-11-23

ocratic minority what has become
known as the Coalter Ripper bill was
passed by the upper branch OF the
state legislature today by the narrow
margin OF 10 to 10. Following the
passage OF the Coalter bill the Senate
adjourned for two hours. returned into
session and passed a second bill
changing the methods for trying con-
tests for state elective officers and an
other bill providing that notice OF con-
tests on state elective officers should
be filed within go days after the date
of the election.
BY the provisions OF the Coalter
measure appointive officers OF the
state government. with terms fixed by
law, when removed by the governor
upon constitutional grounds, which in
cludes incompetency. neglect, malfeas-
ance and misfeasance, can appeal to
the Supreme Court of Appeals for a
review OF the governors decision.
Through the provisions OF the other
Legislation passed by the Senate a spe-
cial court is created to try contests
for state elective officers, the same as
under the present statute, but the Su-
preme Court of Appeals is also en-
powered TO review such contests,
while the other proposed statute re-
quires that notice be given within 60
days after the election rather than
from the date OF the declaration OF the
result by the legislature.
Although the Coalter bill was taken
to the House late this afternoon, and
IL was substituted for a House bill OF
similar provisions, IL remained tonight
on second reading and cannot be pass
ed by the lower branch of the legis-
lature before Friday.
While some opposition has develop
ed to the measure on the majority side
of the house. the Republicans are con-
fident IL can be pushed over.
Efforts to amend House bill No. /,
| which relate sto tho removal OF cleo
tive officers. made by Delegate Talbot
of Webster, failed. Talbot sought to
| strike out the word habitual in the
| section which gave the governor pow
| er to remove for habitual drunkenness.
He lost the amendment by a vote of 81
| to AZ.
Delegate OFT of Ohio county. intro
| duced a bill i'm the House proposing
amendments to the primary law which
| would allow the counties and districts
to make their nominations by primary
| Delegate Duty OF Richie county, also
introduced a primary bill In the House
Recess OF the State Senate at 230
O'Clock after the passage OF the Coal
| ter Ripper bill ended a session of the
upper branch OF the Legislature, prob
| ably the most remarkable i'm the his
tory of the state during which a food
Of oratory was choked by the efforts
| of members to restrain tears as they
made tremulous efforts to explain
/ their vote on the first bill OF Cover
nor Hatfields legislative program.
II was after IL o'clock when Senator
England called the Senate to order,
and Senator Kump from the minority
1 representation, asked the status of the
resolution questioning the ineligible
ity of Senators Steed of Lincoln. and
Billings of Tucker, to sit and vote as
members OF the Senate,
Chairman Blessing. from the special
committee created b ythe Senate, an
nounced that the committee had not
acted upon the resolutions, and that
the committee had not had time 10
consider the subject. Stating that he
had no desire to flibuster or to delay
the work of the Senate, Kump offered
a resolution requiring the special
| committee to act upon the Fox resolu-
| ton before any vote was taken by the
Senate, asserting that the voting of
the two members might invalidate the
action of the legislature.
Rising to a question OF personal
privilege. Senator Steed defended his
i right to participate in the delibera-
tions of the State Senate. declaring
that he held no state Office but was q
mere emBleye of the Public Service
Commission, The Lincoln Senator re-
ferred to a decision OF the Supreme
Court OF Appeals to emphasize his de-
mands for the seat in the Senate he
| was occupying.
| The discussion of the eligibility of
the two members led to acrimonious
debate which ceased only after the
resolution was decided by vote of 10
to 16.
With the declaration that the legis-
lature had beep' csned INTO eStraordi-
nary session to consider legislation
and that Il ought to have time for the
consideration of this legislation, Sem
ator Hatfield Of Monengalia, moved to
recess until o'clock, and In order to
give the special committee an oppor-
tunit to pass upon the eligibility OF the
membership OF the Senate.
When this motion failed. Senate bill
No. 3. the ripper BILL which gives to
| appointive officers the right to have
their remoy4l r9yieFed by NE su-
preme Court Of Appeals, With subse
quent appeal to the state Senate, came
up and Senator Fox moyed to make It
special order for 419 O'CLOCK
This lagtieR WAS supported by q
number OF Republican members, ops
OF whom was Senator Rosenbloom OF
Wheeling, who declared that Il was
his intention, unless good reason could
be shown to the contrary. to support
the measure. but that he was desir-
nus u. l.i.n lhn rnr.r.iAln.. 90. "a IL