The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-02-21
STATE. POLICE
ADVOCATED BY
GOV. :CORNWE[[
Declares Disturbed Condi-
lions Make Protection Nee
essary at Present Time.

CHARLESTON, W. Va F"o. w.
Governor Cornwcll. appearing before
the house of delegates this afternoon
upon It's invitation, told the members OF
that body he believed it to be their
patriotic duty. for the protection OF the
lives and property Of the people Of the
state. to enact some kind Of military
police bill.
He warned them further that unless
they did pass some such measure, plac-
ing tho responsibility Of keeping peace
and order on him or someone else in inc
state government II they could prop
crlv do that, the responsibility for any
riots or disturbances that might come
IN tho future would be theirs, not MS.
L ". ". Ksuaes.
He insisted that If the present legis-
laturc udjourns without giving the
state some kind Of protection lt Wou!o
become at once the dumping GROUNDS
for all. the -Bolshevists. 1. w. VS. ana
anarchists of the country.
II know there arc some people, IN
this stute." Governor CornWeii salu'
| who, do not believe We should haVe
any state police protection. There arc
J some, In fact, who do not believe even
~ nrvantzcd government But am
not talking this afternoon 10 any OIL
| that class.
II am talking to men who love your
state and who believe in tho form OK
/ government VIC have. 1 have heard that
| some have said they were atralo 10
+, put such m organization as the ponce
patrol In my hands, for fear knz1 X
1oufd abuse It Tor po1y 8chl $snaS. l .
| Now, want to sayNto yo9ttnat
! believe the time has come When tne
attempt of any man toi build up politi-
cal machine works only TO, his own de-
struction. 1 would like to escape the
/ responsibility Of creating such ponce
] force II l had my personal wishes IN
the matter but am not trying 10 sh'rH
responsibilities. -..t =.
There is no system no law that can
| not be abused. 1t depends upon tne
| men you have at the head OF II. ao
not believe there is. q member OF TINS
house who believes that ! would aouse
| this authority II put in my hands. T.
| I'VE arc facing n peculiar situation
| The whole world Is in disturbed con-
| dition. Anarchy is in the air. an,
not unfriendly to the. laboring man.
am in sympathy with labor, Whcther II
be organized or unorganized. But ! VIII!
/ say TO you that am the enemy, the
| eternal enemy, Of any man who wants
10 overthrow the government OF me
United States or the government Of this
! state"
The governor pointed out there are
| in the state 5000 70 10000 Rliea enemies
and n total of $4,000 to 10000 aliens,
practically none of whom are reading
newspapers and other literature in the
English language. but those in the Ian
guagc Of their native lands. and that
these countries and these papers are
simply tceming with Bolshcvism and all
It's destructive doctrines.
Exp1ain5 voto.
! In beginning his address the governor
! said he had heard rumors that some OF
the members Of the house. had said tina:
they did not intend to vote FOR the po'
lice patrol bill because he had vetoed the
! state racing commission bill.
Now, want to be frank with you,
he snid The action took on that bill
l took as your executive. and with no
other than the best interests Of the
state et heart. There was nothing per
| sonal In its so far rs I was concerned
l dealt with that bill on its merits Al
] saw it. / do not ask you 10 do mere
than that on this proposition
| Early in the afternoon rev minutes
OF the session was taken for the prescll'
tation Of presents to Speaker J. l.. Wolfe
and Clerk G. l.. Topping. D. f. Cuppetr
presented a gold watch on behalf OF the
house az a whole. and Everett i. Moore
ay chairman Of the judiciary committee,
presented Il Masonic emblem charm on
! behalf Of that committee. to the spcaSe:
NJ. J. Malamphy. representing the clerks
force. presented handsome ring TO Dr.
Topping.