The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-11-25
CHAIRMAN AMOS
TELLS SENATORS
THE SITUATION
Conference Was Held in
the Room of President
England.
INVESTIGATION IS URGED
Governor Says Law Makes
No Provision for Exist
ing Trouble.
INVESTIGATION IS URGED

CHARLESTON. W. Va. Nov. IS
Governor Hatfield sent a special mes
cage to the Legislature late yesterday.
calling attention to the charge that
large SUMS OF money were improper
" used in the election of November Z.
In violation of the corrupt practices
act. and that there were gross viola
lions Of the election and registration
laws of the state" He recommended
the appointment of committee, with
powers to sit at various places. take
testimony, and thoroughly investigate
the charges.
The House received the message
soon after four o'clock. Just before II
adjourned. The Senate did not as.
scmble until six o'clock at which time
the message was read. The resolu.
iion was not introduced III either
House.
Late in the afternoon the Republi-
can senators were called TO confer.
cncc in the room If President England
where they where addressed by Franz:
Amos Republican chairman OF Marion
county. where, II is alleged. extensive
frauds were perpetrated on election
day. The resolution recommended by.
the governor was said to have been
discussed, and that IL did not meet
with the unanimous approval of the
senators. The dissenting party. was
led by Senator Ben L. Rosenbloom. of
Wheeling, and standing with him were
Senators Oliver S. Marshall. of New
Cumberland. and Warren Miller, OF
Ripley. Details of the resolution were
said to include the appointment of u
commission by the governor to whom
partial report was to be made not
later than January.
Democrats. discussing the report,
declared 1t was n movement to con.
test the election of John J. CornwelI
as governor. and that they would Wig.
orously oppose il.
Governor Iiatiield's special message.
after repeating the charges of fraud
in the late e!eclIon contained In his
first message to the special session OF
the legislature. said in part:
1T Is no secret that thousands Of II.
legal votes were cast on November
9TH, and unless something Is done to
portect the electorate. Republican
form Of government must be a failure.
If legal voters In this state cannot 20
to the polls on election day and cast
their votes and have them counted
as cast. and Illegal voters cannot be
prevented from participating In our
election; and II persons can vote as
often as directed to do so by political
bosses and machine politicians. then
indeed the time has come when people
must consider some other method of
ascertaining the will of the people as
to who shall hold office and as TO the
form OF government under which we
shall live.
Under our present law we have no
way In which 10 investigate and de-
velOp the facts necessary to inform
law officers as to what can be done
and ought to be done. and in my judg-
ment the only way to have fair and
full investigation is by and through a
committee to be appointed by author
ity Of the legislature and given power
to sit at different places In the state
and to employ such assistants as may
he necessary to make the investigation
full and complete. Without attempt
ing to reflect upon any officer. call
your attention to the fact that in many
instances those charged with the duty
of enforcing the law are beneficiaries
ct Illegal votes cast IT the recent cleo
ton, and II Is too much to expect OF
them that they will prosecute their
friends.
And even il these officers were in.
clined to do their full duty. they are
not clothed with sufficient power and
authority to make such investigation
as the subject warrants. And let me
also remind you that every good citi
zen of the state of West Virginia is
interested not only in the election In
his precinct and his county. but is also
vitality interested in having a fair
election In each and every precinct of
the state. If there be corruption in
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