St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-08
THE HOUSE CAUCUS.
Some Surprises for All the Fac
tiOnS.

some surprises Tor All the rae.
tiOns.
Representative Alooh Eastman, as
chairman of the house committee. placed
his almost bald pate behind the clerks
desk at just five minutes to s o'clock
and read the call for the caucus which
had been agreed to by the candidates.
Every seat OH the floor was taken, and
the galleries filled with visitors, largely
from Hennepin county.
"By the mutual consent OF the candl-
dates" said Mr.. Eastman, ''the follow
ing list of officers for this caucus have
been agreed upon"
Chairman-Jared Benson, Anoka.
Secretary-R. c. Dunn, Mile Lacs.
Tellers-A. s. Crossfeld, Traverse; William
Blckel, Ramsey; f. W. Hoyt, Goodhue; E. F.
Comstock, Hennepln.
On motion OF Mr.. Smith, of Hennepin,
the list was agreed to.
Chairman Benson took the platform,
short, gray-haired man, dressed as a
farmer, speaking as farmer and look
ing every inch the typical tiller of the
soil. He thanked the caucus for the
honor conferred upon him, and asked
their further pleasure.
Representative KeyeS, of sWinOna.
rose
"Mr. chairman" he said, "looking
over the field as represented by the gen
tleman before me, men coming from all
parts of the state, find pleasure, al
though l have only known him for a
short time, to present the name of Col.
Charles H. Graves applause] of Du-
luth. for speaker of this house." Ap-
plauSe.
Representative Lane, Hennepin-ln behalf
OF a majority of the members of the Thir-
teenth senatorial district-Hennepin county
I second the nomination of Col. Graves.
[Applause.]
Representative A. G. Forbes, of
Lyons, made the most pleasant nomi-
mating speech of the evening in pre-
senting the name of Hon. ID. F. Nor
gan for speaker, but the slight ripple of
applause which greeted it was an omi-
nous indication of the sentiment of the
house. Nor did the second of Repre-
sentative dement,, of Steele, who stood
with his hands on his hips, receive that
recognition which usually presageS a
victory. Said Chairman Benson:
"Any other nominations, gentlemen?"
Rep. Savage, Hennepln-I move that we
proceed to ballot for speaker-a formal
ballot.
Rep. Hay, Hennepin-I would ask that the
chair have the roll called, so that we may
know what Republicans are there and how
many.
Rep. Lane-Do understand that the gen.
tleman from Hennepin desires to have the
roll called for vote on speaker, or 10 ascer-
tain who is here?
Rep. Hay-That is just what stated.
Laughter.
Rep. Lane-And that is what wanted to
know.
The roll was called, and it was found
that all the Republican members were
present but Reps. Graves, Morgan and
McGrath. There were 81 in their seats.
Rep. Hay-I rise to ask if Rep. Taft. of
Washington county, is here as Republican,
and if he was elected as Republican?
Representative Seymour. of Washington
can vouch for MIR. Taft.
Representative Hay-Was not the name of
Fayette Marsh upon the Republican legisla-
tive ticket i'll Washington county?
Representative Seymour-It was and was
placed there by Republicans and Democrats
tLaughter.] Mr.. Taft was nominated by
Republicans and elected by the scattering
vote. [Laughter.]
Representative Hay-My only desire in
this matter is that only Republicans shall
take part in this caucus. l call on Mr.. Taft
to speak for himself.
MIR. Taft, sandy bearded farmer, got
up, his face wreathed in smiles, and
said:
elected by them and Republicans and have
always been Republican.
Representative Hay-And you expect to act
with that party and abide by the result Of this
caucus?
Representative Taft do.
Representative Hay-Then I certainly have
no objection to the gentleman's remaining
here. [Laughter.]
The ballot was called. During its
progress Freeman P. Lane slipped over
to the reporters desk and, blowing a
Falstafian breath over his auditors,
muttered:
1t will be Graves. but d-n close.
The vote was announced. Graves,
so; D. F. Morgan, SO. and there was no
lack of applause from galleries and
members. Representative Forbes was
on his feet in an instant moving that
the nomination of Col. Graves be made
unanimous. Representative Dement,
seconded the motion, and, with more
applause, it went through.