The daily gazette., 1883-01-02
THE CAUCUS LAST NIGHT.

lopeclhA correspondence OF the Gazette.
DOVER, Jan. 2.-The result of the eau
cuses of both Houses last night was awaited
with unusual interest, but there was not
much excitement to speak of either during
the time the doors were locked, or when
the final result was announced to the wait
ing thronR without. During the afternoon
there was a vast deal of informal caucusine
and much button-holing There were
numerous candidates, particularly for the
positions Of Sergeant Arms, and these
were most importunate. No slate making
was INDUCED in, and the result was any
thing but cut-and-dried arrangement. Ia
one instance, at least, successful candi-
date-Mr. Wiley, Clerk of the Senate-was
brought on prominently after O'Clock
The Senate caucus was the first to end its
weary session, and the result showed that
Samuel B. Cooper of Kent, had been elected
Speaker after two ballots. Mr. Cooper's
contestant was A. j. Horsey and two ballots
were taken, ON the first 1t was tie and on
the second 1t stood 8 to .. There was quite
lively outside contest over the Speakership,
ana two or three candidates were nominated
against Mr.. Cooper. The candidates for
Clerk were G. w. Wiley and L. w. NAPLES,
of Sussex, William J. Black of New Castle
and j. w. Whitaker of Kent. 1t required
four ballots to elect and the votes were
variously cast, and on the last ballot it stood
Wiley and Black 3. Mr.. Blacks defeat
was wholly due to the fact that day or
two ago he showed a disposition to with
draw from the contest; otherwise he would
have been undoubtedly elected. Out of the
forty some candidates for sergeantat-arms
sixteen were nominated and seven appeared
as voted for when the tickets were counted.
On the first ballot A. j. Taylor of New
Castle got votes and S. j. Fisher, John
Hopkins, Peter S. Cooper, Ed Dufferd, j.
Fl. Adams and s. l. Kenney one each. On
the last ballot Taylor got five votes and
Fisher three. Rev. w. L. Gibson rector of
the p. +. Church was chosen chaplain here
and Harry +. Goodwin of Dover, messenger.
without much opposition.
IN THE HOUSE.
The House had trouble enough and 10
spare, and the secrets of the session will
probably never be known for the tally sheets
were torn up before the doors were un-
locked. The most remarkable thing was
the election of Mr.. Bates as speaker whose
desire for the position and whose willingness
to accept the same was never dreamed Of
The only nominees were Mr.. Bates and Mr.
Denney, the former being brought forward
and steadily voted for by members
from Sussex. The other officers elected
were Ebe w. NAPLES of Pennington, Kent
county, Clerk Stephen w. Shockly, OF
Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex, sergeant-at-
arms; Rev, Cyrus Huntingdon, pastor OF
the Dover Presbyterian Church, chaplain,
and Joseph Walker, Dover, messenger. A
curious thing about the election of the
Gibson, the same gentleman chosen
by the Senate, was elected but the
House, anticipating something of the kind,
provided that Mr.. Huntington should in
such case be the chaplain. Mr.. Huntington
was chaplain of the House two years ago and
Mr.. Gibson chaplain of the Senate in 1879,
who was put In nomination for the
clerkship and the position OF Sergeant at
arms was kept as close secret as the ballots
for these offices.
So far as the officers of the two houses are
concerned it need only be said that excel
lent selections have been made The
Speakers, Messrs. Bates and Cooper, are
both SO well-knOwn, as to need no mention
further than the fact of their selection.
Both will make excellent presiding officers
Mr.. Wiley, Clerk of the Senate is a resi-
dent of Lewes, and q member of the bar
He is 10 years OF age, is a native of
New York and has lived in Lewes eight
years. he is a gentleman of fine education
and splendid classical and lega! attain
ments, being graduate,of one oflheiiret uni
yersities of the country and of the Columbia
law school. One Of the most prominent
members Of the School Board OF Lewes he
mas Always taken an acJlVe part IN public
schools. Two years ago he came within one
vote in the County Convention of being
nominated for the Legislature.
Mr.. NAPLES, the clerk of the House, is
also young man, being % years of age
As stated, he is resident of Pennington.
where he is merchant, being member OF
the firm of f. w. NAPLES X Co., who are
also extensively engaged in the cannery
business. He is Sussex boy and came to
Pennington while quite lad, where he en-
tered the employ of G. j. Harrington, ex-
Speaker of the Senate, and rose rapidly.
He is good business man, is atfable and
accommodating, and is snro 10 make mosI.u.
excellent clerk.
Both Sergeant win show themselves ta1l i
wise selections, =