Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-01-19
A GENERAL HOWL,
IN WHICH NEARLY EVERY MEMBER
or THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCAS
Took Part-Second Nights Proceedings OF
the COncIaye-A Free Fight and
High Old lime Generally
One .Unfruiiful;. Bal
lot Taken.
FULL PROCEEDINGS OF THE FRAcUS.
A RACY REVIEW

The Joint caucas Of the Democrats
of the Legislature met last night at the
Capitol building for the alleged purpose
Of nominating a l.. S. Senator. Mr..
Edmiston, the president Of the caucus,
took the chair at 7:30 o'clock and called
the serene looking body to order.
Mr.. Ferguson moved that we proceed
10 ballot for a Senator, upon which mo-
ton Mr.. Leonard called the previous
question. At this moment a number OF
gentlemen with dilitory motions APP
pealed TO the chair for recognition, but
he entertained nothing except the de-
mand for the previous question, which
was sustained by the House and tie
main question finally passed.
Mr.. Woods sent to the clerk docu-
ment which he desired read. Mr.. Fer
guson stated that it was out OF order
and could not be entertained by the
chair. The president so decided and
then followed a most indescribable
scene only equal.ed by some of the acts
in the famous New Martinsvllle conyen-
ton or in the congressional drama en-
acted ut the Washington Hall IN this
city last summer.
Notions OF all species, varieties and
kinds were made. A dozen or more
rampant howlers who distinguished
themselves, e especially, by their.gesticu-
lations of arms and legs mounted the
floor and had regular "high old time. ="
The chairman insisted upon the roll call
and enforced his order by using up two
OF three gavels in the course OF the eX-
element. Mr.. Fulkerson desired the
floor, alone, and failing TO get it wanted
10 know il he was 10 be "bambOOzled'
"choked up" ,Sc, &c, in this style. Mr..
Crpsap said he had never been BULLDOG
Ell and never would be, even II he hal
20 stand there until the early sun rose.
Helps and cries ''of order, Ito adjourn"
were heard above the speeches that
were being made in all parts Of the
hall.
Senator Joel StOllings gave his views
on the situation, but unfortunately his
voice was much weaker than the yaw-
pers who had possession OF the concern,
and the reporters could not catch his re-
marks.
The fiery Floyd looked as il he was
getting oil something startling, but his
Oration was, like his predecessors, en-
tirely inaudible.
"To your tents o ISael!'
cried Brother Cresap to the excited
crowd.
IlOhio county's young orator, Mr, Sea-
bright, said, "Let's adjourn and go
home like decent people ii We can't have
order and harmony in this caucus"
Joel StOllings tried it again, and said,
Unless We caK be heard We will not be
bound by the action of this caucus
For the sake of variety, Mr.. Hall, OF
the land of Wetzel, suggested that the
Sergeant at-Arms reclear the floor OF al.
outsiders, which was the only PROPOSE
ton agreed to by the august body.
The chair had been, and was still, in.
sisting upon the call Of the roll, which
was evidently the only question in or
DIR.
Mr.. Cresap appealed from the deci.
sion of the chair and Mr.. Woods desired
to state point Of order and he also de-
SIRED 10 nominate somebody for some
thing. Cresap put in good five min
utes crying "Mr. Speaker and when
he had become exhausted, Messrs.
Woods and Fulkerson came to his aid
and took up the "war-hoop." During
this encounter the chairman's hammer
seemed to gtt the best of the fight, as it
undoubtedly made the loudest noise.
Mr.. Seabri :ht again shyel his castor
into the ring and related his experience
in this the first Democratic caucus he
had attended and philosophical some
what upon the subject.
Mr.. Leonard took the floor and talked
to the beat OF the Presidents hammer.
lie wanted 10 pour oil on the boiling wa
ters but 4, eeIed his especial atten,io TO
the reactiOnists, ObStTuctlOnlsts and tilI-
u SteTs as he called them. When he
had subSlded number from the oppo-
sitiOn slle of the house mounted their
seats and directed their lances TO the
remarks OF the chief ShO had Just closed.
TIE scene at this time was the live
Ii IT ui the evening. and il might be
mildly said that Bedlam reigned su.
prcme. S-rator Van Meter, very
iath,rly and aged looking gentleman
took position IN the middle aisle and
asked for unanimous consent to make
q suggestion. lie finally got ii, and in
the interest Of peace and harmony he
desired To ask the caucus to unanimous.
ly agree To take u rirG rOcS vote instead
of by ballot. lie Was ruled out OF order,
as the vote by ballot VAS IN process of
operation. Mr.. Woods said that he had
some business down street, and would
leave the House for the present. No
objections were made, and he departed
but soon again appeared in his seat.
Mr.. Ferguson wanted To talk, but the
chairman ior the hundredth time an
nouncel that everything was out OF or
der except the ca Of the roll on the
pending ballot. lie said that this roll
would and must be called, il it took all
night, and after that was over every
member would be heart.
Some of the more lively creatures were
thus appeased and Clerk Peyton got
good start and put the thing through.
The ballot resulted as follows:
Camden 81. Mathews 1, Hereford 1,
BrannOn >, Quarrier /. No one having
received the required num5er-3S-nO
nomination was made.
Mr. Morrow was called to the chair bv
the presiding oiliceI. The latter desired
the floor in order to explain his rulings
made during the previous evening as
well as those made last night. which he
did to the satisfaction of every fair
minded and honest man. He had aimed
TO be firm, right and just, and il he had
done anybody injury he did it uncon-
sciously or througha sense OF honor and
right.
Senator Dennis desired to make a few
remarks to his Democratic friends in
favor of peace and harmony. Tie had
motion that he would make that would
restore good feeling. The minority think
that they have been imposed upon, but
he didn't think that the Chairman had
any idea of favoriny any one more than
another. What a spectacle We have
presented. / woull cover nv face
with shame rathter than attribute any
innronar motiva 70 ,la Cn.: