Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-01-24
THE TWO-THIRDS RULE

Is All t. At Prevented Kenna From
Being . Nominee of the Caucus Yes
terday
Special Telegram to the Register.
CHARLESTON, w. VA, January 23.-
FOrty-three Democrats went into caucus
tonight to nominate an United States
Senator. Four ballots were taken but
there WAS no nomination. Three mem
bers were absent, but not one stood out in
revolt. Ford, of Raleigh, Woods, Of
Ohio, and Harr, of Marion, were the miss
ing members. Ford and Woods were de-
tained by important business, but both
signed written agreements to abide by the
decision of the caucus. Harr was elected
as Labor-Democrat.
The State K of L. requested that none
of the Labor members should 90 into the
party caucuses. Harr was present at the
conference preceding the caucus, and when
it was decided to ballot for Senator he
excused himself, bat pledged his support
70 the caucus nominee.
Before the caucus was held there was ar
extended discussion of the situation in all
its degrees. The gubernatOrial contest
touched upon, and it was resolved without
dissenting voice that the result of the
election on the face of the fraudulent Ger
tificates should not be declared in Joint
session.
This disposed of, the Senatorial question
was taken, and although the sentiment
was not so unanimous, there was equal
harmony and good feeling. The spirit of
concession which has marked the delibera-
tons of the party conferences heretofore
vas present TO a marked degree.
The advisability of holding an election
tomorrow ard making caucus NOMINEE
wss thoroughly discussed. Several gentle
men did not favor a caucus ut this juno
ture, but consented to waive these ohlec-
tiOns in reference to the will Of
the majority. As q further assurance
of party harmony, and that no nomina-
tiOn would be made on which all Demo
Gratis could not reasonably unite, it was
resolved that a two-third vote Of the mem.
bers present should be required to nomin-
ate. This provision, though a wise ore,
is responsible for the fact that
John f. Kenna is rot the
caucus nominee. Four ballots were taken,
and the vote on each one was practically
the same. No man gained or lost materi-
ally. On the last ballot Mr.. Kenna re-
ceived 81; W. L. Wilson, 6; E. w. Wilson,
3; K. S. Brown, 2; B. H. Oxley, l; J. W.
st. Clair, 1; J. B. Jackson, l; John A.
Preston, 3. Total, 43; necessary 10 a
choice, %.
A careful analysis of the vote in the eau
Gus showed that it was practically the same
aa the vote of the Democratic members on
Joint ballot to day.
Mr.. Kenna had decided majority but
not sufficient to nominate under the two
third rule. The caucus then adjourned to
meet tomorrow evening at 7:30.
It is confidently expected that nomi-
natiou will be reached at that time. The
feeling is strong among all members that
the will of the majority must pre-
val and the fact that the two
third rule was taken tonight IS an in
dication that the meeting was considered
more of a consultation among members to
ascertain preferences than fiusl test of
strength. Among the contesting candidates
the best of feeling prevailed during the
whole session. This action is an assurance
that the Democrats are all caucus Demo
Gratis and will stand true to their caucus
nominee 1t is not proper to predict that
nominee, but whoever he is, he will be the
next United States Senator from West Vir-
ginia.