The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-21
ANOTHER DEmocIEATIc CAUCUS.
This Time 10 solldlfy the Honse on
LegiSlntiye AppOFtiOnment.

q
Another meeting Of the Democratic mem.
beFs Of the House OF Delegates was held last
night for the purpose OF agreeing upon some
course OF action In which all could unite IN
regard 10 the Senate Bill reapporioninR
members OF the State Senate and House Of
Delegates among the people Of the State. The
leaders OF the party were afraid 10 bring the
bill upin open session without frat consulting
and agreeing upon the proper course to puF.
sue. AccordlnRlyM Mr.. Tlppett's services were
called iuto requisition and paper circulated
aud the caucus called and by eight o'clock,
half hour later than the time named, nearly
all Of the Democratic members were present,
Nr. FulkcfsOn called the caucus TO order,
and Mr., Grantham nominated Speaker Wi.
son as Chairman. Clerk Peyton was then
elected Secretary, and the rules Of the House
adopted, so far as applicable to the caucus.
The bill was then read by the Clerk for tho
Information OF the caucus This bill Is of
the basis OF thirteen Senatorial districts, and
sixty.fYe members Of the House.
Mr.. Mcneil said he had not signed tho
call for the caucus but he was a Democrat,
and expected to remain SO. In Democracy
he allowed no one TO go further than ne.
But he at the last session had introduced In
the Committee on ReApporlionment reso.
luton declaring II the sense OF the committee
that any increase Of the number OF Senator.
ial districts was unconstitutional. For this
resolution, nine members OF that committee
had voted. Mr.. Mcneil did not see how
these gentlemen could now vote for this bill.
Judge Ferguson moved to adopt the bill
as the Senate had passed It.
MI. Lowry undertook 10 satisfy Mr. Nc
NelrS scruplos, but evidently only succeeded
In very small degree, Il lat all.
Mr.. FnlkersOn appreciated the position Of
the gentleman from Ohio Mcneil, and re-
marked that Il he was not entirely satisfied
no one would blame him for Withdrawing
from the caucus.
Speaker Wilson called Mr.. Lowry TO the
Chair, and proceeded to expound The consti.
tutional provisions bearing on tho subject.
as he understood them.
Mr.. Mcneil In spite OF cries OF Question:"
attempted to make an explanation OF his
views, but Mr.. Cresap called him 10 order.
and demanded whether he intended 10 abide
by the action Of the caucus,
Mr.. Mcneil promptly gave II up. He said
he would like to abide by II, but he could not
say he would. Cresap insisted on calling Nc
Nell to order, when Mr.. Fulkerson pleaded
with his tellOw.members to give the young
man n chance" Mr.. Kepner asked leave to
intcrtcct M inquiry. He wanted to know
whether this was u caucus or not. The call
which ho had signed merely agreed to r,eet
together in conference. II this was n caucus,
and those participating In its deliberations
were to be considered bound to endorse It's
/ conclusion, he was not ready to foin In It
Mr.. Mcneil insisted upon finishing his re-
parks, and Mr.. Cresap insisted upon his point
Of order, aud said that II he could not be
heard and his matter considered he would
retire. Judge Ferguson moved that Mcneil
be allowed 10 speak, and the motion was car
red unanimously. Mr.. Lowry moved That
Mr.. Mcneil be excused from the caucus, but
this meeting with objections, he Withdrew 1t,
Mr.. Morrow said he had been rather Of the
opinion that an increase Of the number Of
Senators would be unconstitutional, but the
Constitution was so involved, and opinions
Of competent judges differed so widely as to
Its proper construction, that he was willing
70, and conscientiOuSly could adopt the de-
liberate judgment Of this caucus as his
view.
Judge Ferguson said when he entered
Caucus, and acted with 1t, he always abided
BY It's action. Mr.. Mcneil wanted to know
II he referred to him. He responded that he
referred to anybody who participated Ia the
caucus and then did not abide by It's dicta. For
himself, he had no doubt, and never had had
any doubt that the Legislature had perfect
right TO increase both the Senate and House.
and this would be entirely constitutional
which proposition he undertook to say he
could demonstrate TO the satisfaction OF any
thorough and disintereSted tribunal.
Mr. Hall, OF Wetzel county, demanded the
ayes and noes OH Judge Ferguson's motion.
When Mr.. Cresap'S name was called, he said
that gentleman who had refused 10 sign
the call had been given precedence over him
(reterring to Mr.. MCSell) and he therefore
refused to longer act with the caucus. When
Mr.. Johnson's name was called he said he
could not ConscientionSly, under his oath
and with his understanding Of the Constitu.
tion, vote for this bill. He therefore asked
TO be excused, and the caucus, on motion OF
Mr.. FulkerS0n, excused him.
Only three votes were recorded against the
bill, those OF Mr. Hall lot WetzelG Morrow
and seabright.
Judge Ferguson offered resolution, which
was adopted, as follows:
ResOl'rd, That the House OF Delegates will
not agrcc to fix Il day for the adjournment OF
the Legislature until the bill apportioning
representation in the Senate and House OF
Delegates is finally disposed OF.
The wording OF this resolution was com.
mented upon As very peculiar, but the effect
OF it Is easily understood.
After adopting it the caucus adjourned.
49,