The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-11-20
'eTAGF ALL SET FOR OPENING OF
EXTRA SESSION Of LEGISLATURE
OPINION DIVIDED AS
TO SUCCESS OF PLAN
Much Interest Manifested in
Message of Governor
Speculation Rife.

CHARLESTON, ". Va, Nov. 19.-
With the arrival here tonight of all
the members of the legislature, decks
we're cleared for such action as will be
taken at the special session. which will
convene tomorrow at noon, upon the
ten propositions embodied BY Governor
RI. ID. Hatfield in his call. Supporters
of the Governor expressed the bellef
that his plans for changes in the elec-
ton laws would be carried out without
delay, while leaders of the Democrat
ic minority insisted that nothing
should be done until the newly elected
legislature could act next January.
interest ccntered on the Governors
message, which will be read in the
House and Senate Immediately after
they convene. but no forecast OF what
he would say was renturcd by those III
position to know. 1t was expected,
however, that he would cover the sub
iect of the late election fully, as ample
Justification for his action.
The position of the Governors Dem
ocratic opponents was explained by
Fred l.. Fox. of Sutton, Democratic
leader in the Senate, who de-
clared that "while there may be mer-
il in some of the things the Governor
proposes, because they are some OF the
things the Democratic party wanted
Two years ago, We feel that tne people
nf the State want the new legislature
70 mass on them rather than the pres
enI legislature. whose actions nave
been repudatcd at the polls. The GOV
ernor's proclamation is broad enough
10 bring most anything, even TO at
tenn, to seat Judge Robinson as gov
prnor over John J. Cornwell who has
been elected governor. We belleVe~he
will go as far as he can 60
Conferences and Meetings.
There were conferences and meet
ings during the day and tonight, but
no indication of what was accom-
nlished was allowed 10 leak out, 1t be-
ing generally understood that the ses-
sion would likely go down in history
AS one OF the most important ever nelo
in the State.
Arriving legislators discussed the
Governors call at length, feeling sure
that not one section would be sighted
in the deliberations of the ten days the
session will be in progress. Particular
attention was paid to the proposed
change in the primary election law
which eliminated minority paftleS ull,
able 10 poll five per cent. OIL the Iotai
vote. The Socialists almost reache9
this point. and when they dlG moi. l'elo
the Republicans Responsible DecauS" oI
thp urinary law, with the result, me
f,.i,rJs NJ the Governor say, that the
PanuhIicans lost enough votes 10 lose
them the State.
| Thn incoming legislature is sener-
oI1,. concealed 10 be Democratic in the
House of Delegates by ten. and Repup'
Iiran in The Senate by the same num-
her. making il tie on joint oaliot.
Governor Hatfield. his friends say, felt
he ought TO convene the Legislature 10
correct the mistake il had previously
made in eliminating the minority par
ties. ,, ,,,,;+tod ie
Another error. frankly admitted, IS
;hC registration law. ChanseS W tHe
nresent legislature in that dlIectloI
made it possible for persons VINO nau
neglected TO register at the pIopess
lime ~ be registered on the Oath or
twn citizens on election day. This, the
Tenuhlicans. charge, was conducive or
Widespread fraud in tho recent cleo
non. and the special session Will Do
asked 10 make such changes as 10 re-
,nuirn 4 new registration list for every
election and no last minute reglstra-
ZION.
Still another important matter upon
which the session will be called to act
is the removal Of public officers. IN
1873. when Governor John }. JACOB,
who had been elected as Democrat
and later. with the support OF Repup-
Iicans. as an independent, while the
other members Of the board OF pubic
works and the legislature were Oeno-I
Continued on Pngo Nine.)