The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-02-13

, (lHAnI 80. Feh 90 Dam

Senator gained one vote to-day and
lost one. The vote lost was Mr..
Ford's. Mr.. Shadllin was nnexs
pectedIy called away list night by
pressing business engagemcnts
and was thus unable to carry out in
person the implied arrangement by
which he was to vote, for Senator
Kenna- In. hisrabsenee Mr. Merrill
did not copsidersit polite or neeesl
sary to carry out this programme
in the matter ~
The action of Mr. Ford was some-
what of a surprise to his friends.
Re has been aTsincere supporter,o of
the caucus nominee, and there is no
reason to believe that he isldissatis-
fed. Mr.. Ford represents strong
element of the Democrats in the
Legislature who are willing and
anxious to exhaust every expedient
in the effort to maintainthe.e customs
of the party, but above all desire the
election of a Democrat and relief
from a critical situation. 1t is to
this that his vote to-day was proba-
bly, due. The position occupied by
Mr.. DOrr remains as unsatisfactory
as ever. There is no substantial
hope that he will change it, and the
sooner this fact is realized the bet
ter. Besides the changes noted
above there werc no important fea-
lures in the vote today. Several
members were paired on both Sides
Two ballots were taken. There
were present and voting 75-neces-
sary to choice, SO. Mr. Kenna re-
ceived 81; Goff, IS; the remainder
scattering.
During the gubernatorial contest
in the joint assembly, there has been
a noticeable lack of activity in the
Senatorial contest. To-day it is
considered that the battle between
Judge Fleming and Gen. Golf is set
tied as far as this session of the Leg
islature can do it. The tide of the
party sentiment has been swelling
and it bears with it the hope that a
higher regard for party duty among
all Democratic members will vindi-
cate. the wisdom of the caucus.
That there is such feeling is evil
dent in the fact that several mem
bers who have not continually sup
ported Mr.. Kenna begin to think it
is their duty to do SO now. Mr..
Van Pelt has voted with the major
ity of the party for the last two
days. Messrs. Merrill and Shank
lin have not. Monday, however,
unless some unforeseen accident oc-
ours, both these gentlemen will put
themselves in line again with their
party. 1t has understood that their
votes could be had by Mr.. Kenna
whenever it was necessary to elect.
The fact that they return now shows
that they believe another and more
determined effort should be made to
reach an election. They are will
ing to aid such result by all means
in their power and will vote accord
ingly.
There is no reason to doubt the
statement that Mr.. Harr will sup
port Mr.. Kenna when the proper
time arrives. Dir. Dorr is the only
obstacle in the path, and if that gen
tleman can be reached by any rea-
sonable influence brought to bear
on him by his friends aid constitu-
ents, there will be no trouble.
The people of Webster county
have taken action in the matter.
Petitions were presented to Mr..
Dorr to-day from Webster and Po-
cahontas counties, signed by nearly
half of their Democratic voters.
These petitions represent the free
and deliberate sentiment of his peo-
pie, and if Mr.. Dorr represents them
faithfully, they will be regarded.
In the Senate the co-education
bill was defeated Friday by a vote
of IL ayes to ID noes. The friends
of co-education at the University
made strong fight, however, and
with full Senate might have been
more fortunate. It's probable that
the eo-edueation bill which is now
in the House will be passed if it
ever gets to the Senate. There
were some objections to the resolu-
ton to which this bill will not be
subject
The Joint Committee on Finance
of the two Houses held a meeting
this afternoon and knocked the
proposition to pay the Virginia debt
certificates sky high
Messrs. Maben and Jamison APP