Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1920-09-21

Charleston, w. Va, Sept. 15.-The
biggest event Of the present political
campaign in West Virginia was the
assembling here yesterday of the
State Legislature for the purpose of
changing the registration and election
laws to facilitate the voting of the
women in the coming election.
Though enfranchised by the Anthony
amendment to the federal constitu-
ton, the women of West Virginia, un-
der the present registration law, as
construed by Attorney General Eng
land, would have had no adequate OPP
portunity Of being registered, and,
therefore, would have been robbed Of
their newly-won vote.
Governor Cornwell's Interpretation
of the present law, under which he
Originally decided not to call the Legis-
lature together, was that the registrars
could make up the lists of all the wom-
en- in their precincts prior to the two
days in which they will sit publicly to
correct the lists.
General England's opinion, however,
being binding until reversed by court,
held that the women to be registered
would have to appear personally dur
ing the two days. This meant that
only a few Of them, particularly in
populous sections, could have been reg
istered.
AS all persons, to be entitled to vote
in West Virginia, must be registered,
it was imperative that the Legislature
be called upon to change the law so
that a full, legal registration of the
women might be made.
Then, as the Attorney General de-
clared in his opinion, there are hun
dreds of precincts in the state which,
with the women voting, will have so
many voters that it would have been
physically impossible for all of them
to cast their ballots on election day.
So it was necessary that the county
courts be authorized by the Legislature
to make provisions In these large pre-
cincts.
The last week has been propitious
one for the Democratic campaign
in this state. Encouragements have
come to state headquarters from every
county. The Democratic leaders are
united as never before in their de-
termination for victory.
The strength of Cox and Roosevelt
in the state is daily growing, and the
party leaders at state headquarters be-
lieve it will continue to grow to cleo
ton day. West Virginia, above every
thing else, is not reactionary.
The progressive policies for which
Governor Cox and Mr.. Roosevelt stand
are taking with the people of this
state as the progressive policies of
Theodore Roosevelt, on different
ticket, took with them few years ago.
Arthur B. Koontz, Democratic nom
inee, is shown by information received
at state headquarters to have by far
the best chance of any of the three
candidate for election to the office of
Governor. This is not only the posi-
tive opinion of the Democratic leaders,
but is admitted by thousands of Re-
publicans, some of whom supported
Morgan, and others who voted for
Grosscup or Montgomery.
The Democrats are positive of it..
first. because the whole Democratic
party in the state is united behind
him; second, because they believe the
vote of the women will be strongly in
his favor; third, because the Repub-
licans are divided in their support of
Morgan, on the regular Republican
ticket, and Montgomery, the independ-
ent Republican candidate; and fourth,
because all classes of citizens can
vote for Koontz knowing he is not
prejudiced against any of them.
Republicans admit it, first, because
there are many of them who will vote
for koontz, not being reconciled to
the methods used in securing Morgan's
nomination; second, because there are
others who do not think Judge Nor
gan has a chance of election and are
afraid of Montgomery alleged class
prejudices; and third, because there
are still others who do not believe Mr..
Montgomery can be elected and fear
Morgan's alleged obligations to a GER
tain clique of coal operators and poll
ticians.
The great body of honest labor in
the state has nothing TO fear in the
elaction af Mr. KonntZ hpcauSe he has
promised it and every other class a
square deal, and he is not obligated TO
any of the interests which labor COM
plains has not been given it square
deal Furthermore, Mr. Koontz has
declared himself unalterably opposed
to the private guard system, and has
pledged himself to the enforcement
of law and order through the legally
appointed officers Of the state of West
Virginia.