Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-02-27
Hon. John E. Kenna Reelected Senator.
THE DEADLOCK BROKEN ON THE SECOND
BALLOT THURSDAY,

On the second Ballot on Thursday last,
Hon. John E. Kenna was reelected U. s.
Senator for West Virginia. The struggle
was long and excited one. Ooe Demo-
cratic vote was needed, but G. P. Dorr, a
Democrat, persistently refused to vote for
Kenna, till it seemed that his election was
impossible.
The result of the first ballot on Thursday
was as follows
Golf, A; Kenna, 33; Preston. 5; Govern.
or Wilson, a; ]. B. jackson. 8; and Writ
R. Neale, 2.
We copy the graphic account of the ulti
mate success of Kenna from the Charleston
Star of that day as follows
The second ballot was ord < ed, and up
on the call of the roll of the senate. every
Democrat voted for Kenna, the Republi.
cans voting solidly for Golf, including
President Carr.
The roll of the house was begun, the
Democrats voting for Kenna, the Republi.
cans for Golf until the name of @. P. Dorr
was called.
He arose to his feet and said he desired
to make an explanation in casting his vote
He wanted it understood that he had no
thing personal against Senator Kenna. He
bad made the fight against him because be
believed it to be to the best interests of the
majority of the Democratic party. He had
nothing to take back, having pursued bis
course honestly, conscieutiausly and fear
lessly. He said month ago he had stated
at the Democratic conference that he would
never vote for John E. Kenua; different
state of affairs, however, now confronted
him. The people of this state were con-
fronted with the prospect of three govern
ors and if an election for United States
senator was not secured, the prospect
In the midst of this he could not stand and
battle for what might not only seriously eff
feet the interests of bis party, but the In
terests of the whole state. He said he yet
considered he was right, individually, in
the course that he pursued, Tut that he
would no longer stand in position to be
designated a stumbling block. He wished
to make another statement and correction
in justification to himself. There had
never been caucus, and therefore Senator
Kenna was not q caucus nominee. The
democratic party had never had caucus
nominee up tn Ibis hour, and in this, be
said, the democratic members must bear
him out. Taking all the matters into con
sideration, he would therefore cast his vote
for john E Kenna.
Cheer after cheer went up. uutll the ink
stands fairly ratified upon the desks. Or
der was at length restored, and the calling
of the roll resumed.
Dorr had voted for Keuna, but in the
whirl of enthusiasm, it had been forgotten
that it took another vote to elect!
On the roll call went until Harr, the
Union Labor members name was reached
When his name was called, without betray
ing any excitement or nervousness he cas-
his vote for Governor Wilson,
His announcement was received witt
mingled cheers and Kisses, peremptorily
checked BY the president, the Republicans
including KIRK. voting for Golf, every Dem
oclat sticking firm to his colors, and voting
for John E Kenna.
The roll calling finished, Delegate Harl
arose to his feet and obtaining recognition
ON the chair, quietly and briefly stateC
trhat, as the time had arrived when Unit
ed States senator could be elected, and a
there was no hope for member of hi
party to be elected, in accordance with hi
pro misses and agreement, he desired tt
CHI ange his vote to Hon. John E. Kenna.
There was no mistake this time; no con
tin gencies-th election was secured. True
by but d majority of one, but it was enough
and long pent-up yell of exultatior
wen up from every Democratic throat il
the hall, not from the Kenna supporters
but from every Democrat, for it was 6
Dem ocratio victory. President Carr tried
to rap the assembiage into order, but was
powerless; senators who have hitherto beer
the pink of decorum, and members of the
house who it is said have never smiled
since the beginning Of the session, yelled,
laughed, slapped each other on the back
and indicated the extreme satisfaction thai
every Democrat should feel in the happy
settlement of the deadlock. Of those who
gave way to their feelings, undoubtedly
Senator Oxley was the most notable, he
jumped, laughed, shouted, danced-and il
q person had been right close to him he
would have noticed suspicious moisture
in his eyes that spoke more eloqnently than
words or actions of the supreme satisfac-
ton be felt in the result.
Order at length was restored and after
President Carr had announced senator
Keuna's election the joint assembly dissolv.
ed.