Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-10-13
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
YESTERDAYS HAPPENINGS At WASH
lNGT0N.
Senate Proceediugs-The Italian 6igand
Nominations by the President-Pro'
ceedings in Executive Session
Mr.. WINDOWS Successor
Yorktown.
JUDGE DAVIS As PRESIDENT PRO TEN.
JUDGE DAVID DAVIS.
The Republicans Want to Make Him
President Pro Tenn.

President Pro Tenn.
WASHINGTON, October 12.-The Re-
publican caucus had another discussion
this afternoon on tn, subject OF nomin'
ating Davis, of Illinois, for President OF
the Senate in place of Bayard. There
was some stout opposition to the pro-
ject, though it was clear at the start that
a majority favored it. The opponents
of the proposition advanced the argu.
ment that Davis was not Republican,
and could not be relied upon by
that party. The others met this by
replying the Democrats had taken ad-
vantage of their temporary majority to
seize the presidency and they wanted
to pay them back in the same
coin and did not care whether
Davis would stand by the Republicans
or not. That he was preferable to a
straight Republican, and certainly could
be counted on to favor the Republicans
more than Bayard would.
1t was finally decided to nominate
Davis, il it can be ascertained that he
will accept. The Western Associated
Press agent called upon Senator Davis
tonight and asked him il he had been
notified of the Republican proposal to
nominate him. He replied that he had
not: that he had heard nothing OF the
subject except what he had read in the
newspapers; that
No Republican Senator Had Approached
Him
on the subject, nor had he any conver-
sati7n With him about it at all. When
asked what he would do if nominated
in the Senate he declined to answer,
saving he would consider it indelicate
for him to talk about the matter; that
he had no proper information that the
Republicans had any thoughts OF
nominating him, and it would
not be proper for him to
decline something that would
possibly never be offered him. He re-
peated that he would not discuss the
subject. What he will do may not be
known until the question is brought be-
fore the senate, if it ever is. 1t is pre-
sumed that the Republican senators
have some reason to believe Davis
would accept else they would not have
gone so far, yet he says himself that the
subject has not been broached to him
by any Republican senator. By simply
remaining out of the senate uutll
the matter is disposed Of he can be
elected, as his absence would give the
Republicans 81 to SO, Fair and Platt
being paired. A Republican Senator
said tonight that he opposed the move
because it could be said, if the election
is consummated, that it was the
Result of some Bargain
and he did not want to be subject to
that insinuation.
A Democratic Senator says that Davis
declared to him that he would not occupy
the Presidency Sf the Senate from
either party. Davis is keeping his own
counsel very wisely on this question.
Up to this evening he had not been
formally notified OF the action OF the
Republican caucus, but it is said the Re.
publicans will take steps to ascertain
from him whether he would accept or
nOL OelOTe SuUultllhS iiio uahiO W tHO
Senate.
Leading Democratic Senators are very
positive that their party will not tilibus-
ter to prevent the election OF Davis,
if he accepts. Democrats say that if
Davis votes with the Republicans, or if
he refrains from voting, that would give
the Republicans majority and there
would be nothing for the minority to do
but to submit. One or two Democrats
have expressed themselves in favor .oi
fighting against any change, but it is
apparent they do not represent a major.
ity OF the sentiment OF their party. II
the resolution to elect Davis is presented
its is quite probable that two or
three Democrats will discuss it, and pre-
sent arguments against what they would
consider
An Unnecessary Change
in the President OF the Senate, but there
will not be any dilatory tactics en-
ployed.
Several Democratic Senators go 80 far
as to cay that they would not join in q
filibustering movement even If the ma
iority of their party favored it. II Davis
dett rmines to accept, the present indi-
cations are that he will De elected and
installed as quickly as Bayard was.