Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-01-10
State Troubles Begun
The Legislators Commence to
Vex the Patient Air.
INDIANA's LITTLE SENATE FIGHT.

Robertson To BE Probably Refused Ad-
mission to the Senate Chamber-West
Virginia Democrats Get Twist on
Their Opponents - The State Senate
Dead Locked Because One Republican
Holds Back-Organization of the Illinois
Solons.
INDIANAPOLIS Jan. lO-Interest in the
lieutenant governorship imbroglio has not
abated any on account Of the strife of can
ddates for place in the two houses. aud
more interest conferred last night in the sena-
torial caucuses on this subject than in the
selection of nominees. The chief object to
be disposed Of by the Republican caucus was
the question of calling the senate to order,
the law requiring the auditor of state to
perform that duty in the absence of the
lieutenant governor. The Republicans
wanted Auditor Carr to take the responsible
ity of entering the senate chamber, and,
after calling the body to order. introducing
Robertson as presiding officer.
Carr did not want to take such a response
bility. He argued that if he called the senate
to order it would be a virtual admission that
there was no lieutenant governor, and the
party would be in the position of both deny
ing and affirming Robertsons election. Some
of the senator's agreed with the auditor. and
it was determined to support Robertson in
his claims, but, as the state building is in the
hands of the Democrats, and no admission
could be gained except through their con-
sent, the senators kept their political action
secret 1t was decided to hold another eau
Gus at $ O'clock this morning and commit
tee was appointed to wait upon the Demo
Gratis and ask that the Republican senators
be permitted to name their members OF the
several senate committees.
Robertson is here and says that it is his
intention to preside over thu senate if he is
admitted to the chamber, but he has some
doubt whether ticket will he issued to him.
Mrs. Scott, state librarian, was seen last
evening. So far packing the chamber is
concerned, she holds the key to the situation,
and there is no probability that Republicans
other than senators will be admitted, except
upon the order of the president pro tenn
The caucus of the Democratic senators was
prolonged till l. O'clock last night, the dis
cussions relating entirely to the programme
for to-day. While Senator Cox, of Morgan
was practically agreed upon for president
pro tenn. no formal action was taken,
but the matter of his selection and
of arranging tue list of persons entitled
to admission to the floor of the senate
were referred to a committee. la discussing
the proposition to admit Robertson it devel-
oped that number of senator's were op-
posed to such plan. rs it would simply be
inviting row when one could be avoided by
refusing him admission. To the argument
that it might be construed as cowardice not
to admit him to the floor, it was SAID that if
lie was Lieutenant governor he had right
there, but if not there was no better reason
for his admission than could be advanced for
the admission Of other Republicans not MEM
bers of the senate.
AThe fight for the speakershp of the house
terminated last night by the Democratic
caucus naming Mason -Ni.s.scS, III II. member
from Knox, for that position. Thomas
Newkirk, of Rush county, was nominated
for clerk and Charles L Crowley, of Suli-
van for assistant clerk. Green Smith won
the fight for the principal secretaryship of
the senate