The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-01-26
FROM CHARLESTON.
Full History Of the Caucus, ana the
FIRST Two NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
and Homes of the Future.
CHARLESTON, ". VA, Jan ..


CHARLESTON, W. VA, Jan %.
special correspondence of the Register.
The caucus to nominate II candidate
for United States Senator to assume the
seat to be- made vacant by the retirement
of Arthur |. BOreman, on the lth oil
March next, met last night in the Hall
Of the House of Delegates. About eight
o'clock General Pannell, of Wheeling,
called the meeting to order, and in II t"w
happy remarks, councilcd harmony ana
unity of action. He closed by nominating
Hon. William NJ. Wclch, OF
Mineral, as chairman. Colonel ID.
ID. johnson nominated L. y. Arnctt.
Upon the nominations the ayes and nays
were demanded and taken, Mr.. Welch
receiving As and Mr.. Arnctt q votes.
Mr.. Welch upon assuming the char,
made strong appeal for harmony, and
thanked the convention for the honor con-
ferred. Mr.. Mason, of jefferson offered
a resolution which was adopted, that no
one be allowed to remain III the caucus
except Democratic members Oh the House
and Senate and the representatives OF
the press. ue lbbbicS "'lNf WIN S""'
difficulty. cleared, and the large dlsap-
pointed crowd which had assembled re-
tired to the Senate Chamber
where Mr.. Davenport, of Wheeling,
entertained them with Il speech, while
they anxiously waited tidIngs from the
caucus. Soon after the lobby was closed
Mr. Mason offered resolution that Ii
81 IA To ~
gave rise to lengthy and hearty discus
sion, during which there was some sharp
passages between Senator Burdctt OF
| kanawha, and Mr.. Mason. The reSoIu-
/ ton was voted down by u large majority,
and one adopted requiring a majority
/ Of the Democratic members elected tC
both Houses to nominate. The
difficulties of organization hac
consumed good portion OF the
night and while the clamorouS crowd N
the Senate chamber sitting under the
droppingS OF Davenport cloquence and
the anxious reporters waited for news
and each moment consulted the clock
with feverish anxiety lest dispatches CIV
inc u vote would not reach their papers
owing to the latenesS of the hour; tn,
members talked on, the friend of each
candidate seeking to gain some point IN
favor of his favorite. Hours were con-
,umed in this bv-plav and it was now
near eleven o'clock before Mr.. Noddcll
of Pochahontus arose and in u few re-
marks placed in nomination Hon. Sam
Price. of Greenbrier. Senator Dennis
of Greenbricr seconded the nomination,
having a high tribute to Mr.. Prices abil
itv. worth, &c. Col. J. b. Jackson u
Wood. nominated johnson n. Camden
Of Petersburg, setting forth in Il power
ful speech his claims upon the party fol
the position. Mr.. McGlnne>. of Cabell
in an eloquent appeal, presented the maine
of Henry :. Walker of Charleston
Senator Burdett, of Kanawha, made The
speech of the evening in seconding thr
nomination. He spoke at some length
and with great earnestncsS, Of Mr.
Walkers great ability and eminen
fitness for the position. Mr.. Chap
man also seconded Mr.. Walkers nomi
nation. Mr.. Houston nominated Hon
Allen T. Caperton, of Grecnbrler
Samuel \. Miller, of Kanawha, and Mr.
' W
, Mr.. Ice nominated and Mr.. West see
ondcd the nomination of Judge John
Brannon. of Lewis 1t was approaching
close upon the birth of Il new day before
all the nominations We're closed, and the
efficient secretaries of the caucus, Mr.
Jos. ). Miller and Col. J. b. PevtOn, had
everything prepared for the bailoting
Col d. d. johnson, Col. j. B. jackson
and Mr. lee were then appointed tellers
and rs each members name was called
he came to the desk and cast his ballot
A. each man came up, he wa.
watched with interest, and every othcr
one in the audience was c"niccturins
what name the little white mi,,ivc con
tanned. At last all the votes were in
and at twenty minutes TO twelve th
first ballot was announced as follows:
Camden Is, Price lG, Walker -, Bran
non II, Caperton 6, Okey johnson :, ;
A. Miller |.
The result of this ballot brought blan
establishment to many faces. 1t was re
rarded as absolutely certain that Wake
and Camden would both have NOR
than 20 votes on the first ballot, and tn
unexpected show of strength by Judg
Brannon and Price was sumner. An
other ballot was taken with the tollowin,
result:
/ Walker II, Camden 10, Price l6, Bran
non, II. Caperton :, Okey johnson |, }
NJ. Bennett |.
The caucus then adjourned until to-
night at : o'clock. There was much eN
citement and conjecture among both citi
zens and members a to the vote, ever,
one declaring it a surprise. The rotundi
of the Hale House presented an animal
ed scene until late hour, or rather al
early one in the morning. Walker die
not seem at all disconscrted by the votes
and is still Sanguine. Both he and Cam
den think that the vote Of both Price anC
Bannon WAS merely a complimentary on,
and will not stay with them. On tn,
other hand Price and his friends ar,
;uhilont as are also Bannons, an,
both are sanguine Of the nomination
The indications now point TO an inabilit!
tn nominate in caucus. If the friends "
the several candidates stick, rs the.
are likely to do. no nominations can D.
made prior to Tuesday, when vote e 10
Senator must be had in the Legislature
If such should prove to be the fact, al
open vote in the Legislature would, II
all probability, materially change IN
present situation; as no doubt many 0
the members would not be disposed L
vote openly in the Legislature, for IN
same men they have secretly voted 10
IN caucus.