The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-02-13
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The Republican members of the
West virginia delegation in the
House branch are insurging. They
started "a little revolution on their
own hook last week which has grown
to a larger size than the one which
Augustus Peabody Gardner, OF Mass
achusetts inagurated several weeks
ago, and which short lived because of
compromise effected with the Bay
State congressman. The West Vir.
GINA insurgency, 1t is said, now has
fourteen recruits and the party oran.
tzahn scared and reaching the olive
branch.
! The trouble broke out when COM
mittee Of twenty.seven members of
the party in the House was appoint
ed in party caucus to consider all
matters pertaining to the organizat-
lon OF the next House and to the
members thereof. There was no re.
presentation given to the Republican
party in West Virginia and then is
when the four Republicans from that
State showed signs of betaking them.
selves OF the party reservation.
Their feeling against the Mann organ.
tZation and leadership had been grow
ing more and more resentful long
prior to the act which caused the
open break. Grievances against the
treatment Of the party in West Vir-
gtnta, whose representatives they con.
slider themselves to be in the House.
had been accommodating from week to
week and when they were ignored in
the organization plans for the next
House 1t found them in temper to
break off diplomatic relations, as it
were, with the Hon. Jim Mann and
his cohorts.
1t is sure enough break, and the
quartette of congressman have served
notice that they are off the party re-
aervation, and that they are going to
stay off. They, have told their col
leagues that they are not going to
support Mann for Speaker Or. bind
themselves to uphold any program, in
whole or in part, which is suggested
by the combination which has set out
TO organize the next House., They
are very outspoken about it, and are
about as independent and outfit of
insurgents that have insurged in the
House for sometime. What has alarm.
ed the Mann organization more th5A
anything else is that the West Vir.
gtnians have received number of
volunteers, such as Langley, of Kent
lucky; Cooper, Of Ohio; Powers of
Kentucky until the numerical streng.
Tn OF the revolutionary movement has
reached fourteen or more members.
The trouble has been taken cogn-
lance Of by Leader Mann and his
colleagues. Mann has suddenly be-
come very friendly, affable and OBJ.
liging in his manner toward the West
Virgtnians and their allies. but they
have received this changed demean.
or on his part with GOODNESS. It has
been admitted by members on the or.
gant1ation committee that the Rep
ublican party in West Virginia has
been unfairly treated. But there have
been no overtures made for peace up
till this time. And Just at this time,
the West Virginians are in no frame
OF mind to listen to any. They are
mad clean through.
1t is freely admitted that the West
Virginians have just cause for COM
plant. West Virginia is the only
state which was carried by Hughes
that isn't represented on the organ.
1zat1on committee. States which
didn't go for the Republican ticket
are represented on the committee, sew
eral OF such states having two mem.
beers on the committee. The other
members who have lined up with the
West Virginians have first one erie.
vance and then another against the
powers running or trying to, the Rep
uplican membership in the house.
Bowers woodward and Cooper who
VIII be members Of the next House.
nave pledged themselves to stand to.
gether. Like the Allies agreement
their pact provides that there shall be
no separate peace negotiated. 1t is
one for all and all for one, they say.
They count on Stuart F. Reed Joining
them when he takes his seat in the
next House. They claim to have the
sympathy and approval of Congress.
man Sutherland, who ceases to be a
member Of the lower branch of Con.
gress on March 4.
The revolt of the West virginians,
and the rapidity with which volun.
teers have lined up with them, has
caused SUR IN the House, and almost
CONSERVATION on the part OF Minority
Leader Mann and the members of his
exclusive cabinet.
When the break comes with Ger.
many, as he thinks will come inevita-
bly, within a very short time, Con.
gresham Edward Cooper will person.
ally call on Secretary Of the Navy Dan.
iels and offer the services of his son,
Edward Cooper, Jr. Furthermore, he
expects them to be accepted, for young
Cooper, with his parents consent will
take any position aboard fighting
ship where his services are needed. It
isn't expected that he could get COM
mission, but he may be able to be
placed in a place little higher than
an ordinary seaman, in view Of his ex.
perience as gunner, not ships gun
ner, however, but an expert artillery
man. Young Cooper was graduated
from Culver last year and has rec.
ord as an expert in all branches of the
military service taught at that school.
His forte was expert craftsmanship
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