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

The constitution does not authorize
him TO convene that body for the pur-
pose of pumping oxygen into a dying
political machine.
Yet Henry ID. Hstneld. facing GER
tain loss OF power and prestige
through the verdict OF the electorate
at the polls. has taken an official step
in violation of the spirit IL not the let
ter of the constitution. for the uncon-
cealed purpose ot keeping in office his
personal sppointees. who have been
voted out by the people. and OF tying
the hands Of the governor-elect I'm the
matter of patronage.
Ii is the welfare OF the Hatfield ma
chine-not the public wolfare-which
is menaced. and the head OF that dis
credited political system. through ex-
ercise of his official power. proposes TO
try to save something out OF the wreck
OF November 2. and TO force the peo-
pie to pay the $25,OO0 which the effort
will cost.
II the governor attempts 10 Justify
his course at all, II is on the ground
that laws which have been in exist
ence since 1872, through many Demo
cratic and Republican administra-
tions. are In danger OF being used by
the wicked Cornwell to the disadvan-
tage OF Republican candidates for state
Offices who were elected this month.
Mr.. Cornwell says he never heard OF
the scheme which Hatfield discovered,
and IL was hardly necessary for him
to say that he would not be a party
TO IT, Nobody seriously believes that
Mr.. Cornwell would attempt to unseat
the auditor, the secretary OF state, the
superintendent OF schools or any 9th
er officer elected by the people. The
issue was raised solely 10 serve as a
pretext for the extra session call, and
TO divert attention from the real pur-
pose OF the call.
The Hatfield proclamation specifies
three principal objects OF the extra
session. namely: First, TO amend the
primary election and registration law;
second, TO enact legislation TO make
the board OF control and public SER
vice commission bi-paI tisan or nom
partisan; third, to prescribe the terms
OF Office OF public officers, agents and
employees OF the state.
Does the public safety or welfare"
demand the amendment OF the primary
election and registration laws before
December /? Could not the leglsla-
ture which meets in January be trust
ed to make the very much needed
changes in those laws2 IL changes
are made before December 1 and they
do not please the new Legislature, is II
not certain that the new legislature
will undo the work OF the extra ses-
sion? Will Hatfield attempt 10 Justify
the expenditure OF $4,000 OF the pub
lie money for a revision OF the pri-
mary and registration laws?
AS to the second purpose OF the call
Governor Hatfield seems to have un-
d rgone a complete change OF heart
Under his administration the board OF
control and public service commission
were made solidly RepublicanOand he
has been accused OF attempting 10
dominate both bodies. He now wants
to be bipartisan or n-partisan, to
insure the retention OF at least one
Republican on each board. We are
to understand that HatGeld's control
OF these bodies was a good thing for
the state. but the possibility that
Cornwell might make them exclusive
ly Democratic constituted a menace to
the public safety or welfare" which
Hatfield will remove with $4,000 of
the peoples money.
II is in the third section Of the call
that Henry D. Hatfield shows his hand
He wants the legislature TO enact gen
eral laws prescribing "the terms OF
Office. powers and duties OF all public
officers. and all public agents and en-
ployes OF the state OF West Virginia,
and the manner I'm which vacancies in
public Office and public agencies and
employments OF The state OF West Vir-
ginia shall be filled.r Here is where
the safety and welfare" OF the Hat
field machine Is seriously threatened.
The present laws arc all right for Hat
1eld-in fact most OF them were built
10 his order-but they must be destroy
ed before Governor Cornwell takes the
oath Of office, TO prevent him from re-
moving Hatfield appointees That is
the object OF tho special call. the prin-
cipal II not the sole purpose for which
$4,000 Of the money Of the taxpayers
will be squandorej
The kind of law that would suit
Governor Hatfield, and which he
would take much pleasure IN signing.
would be an act fixing the terms OF
Office At four years, and placing the
appointing power I'm the hands Of the
board Of public works instead OF the
governor. Under such q law all pres
ent Officers. public agents and en-
ployes" would be reappointed for four
year terms and their places would be
secure throughout the C0rpweli ad-
ministratiOn. And OF course they
would owe their good fortune to DR.
Hatfield and would be expected to
show their gratitude TO the doctor n
he decided to run for United states
Senator IN 1918.
Governor HatAeld's extra session
call Is one Of the most Aagrant ox-
amplea Of abuse Of authority for pafti-
san ends IN the history Of the state
II is at the same time the most indie