Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-02-08
LIVELY PROCEEDINGS.

accounts of the proceedings it is safe
to say that no such legislative session
was ever before seen in West Virginia.
The Democrats had a majority Of two
on Joint ballot, so the only hope of
the Republicans was to filibuster.
And they filibustered. First thing,
the petition Of Judge Fleming and
notice Of contest against General Golf
were presented and read. Senator
Morris from Richie turned himself
loose, and contended that no business
could be done except to open the re-
turns and announce the vote. Chair
man Woods decided against him, and
the assembly sustained the chair.
Sprigg offered resolution that the
declaration of the result OF the vote
be suspended until the contest be de-
cided by law. Morris again tried TO
prevent a vote, but was cut short.
The resolution was then carried bv
strict party vote This made Morris
madden than ever, and then the fol
lowing proceedings occurred, as de-
scribed by the Wheeling Register:
Morris began a personal attack upon the
Speaker and the Democratic members. The
rulings of the chair were denounced as high
handed ano revolutionary and The Speaker
charged with violating his oath under the
Constitution Warming up 10 his work, Mr..
Morris went on, and such an outrageous vio-
lation OF common decency was never enact
ed in a joint assembly OF this state before.
Mr. McCreery and Delegate Sprigg objected
to these personalities.
what are you going 10 do about il ?" Nor
ris yelled back. There are no rules to gov
ern this assembly; can do as please The
TRADE continued: Il declare that these
measures are revolutionary and calculated
to provoke bloodshed; If they are persisted
IN, the fourth OF next March will see our State
deluged in blood. Laughter from the Dem
ocrats.l And you-you-you-foolss sit there
and laugh-laugh like the fool who fiddled
while Rome burned. You are liars in the
face of your oaths." Turning TO the Chair he
continued 10 denounce the proceedings In
language never before used in IA pariamenta-
~ body.
Sprigg again objected. 81 insist" he ex-
claimed, that no man has a right to come
mere and insult the Speaker in this manner"
II only served to make the unruly mem
bers worse. For a few minutes excitement
reigned supreme. Morris continued shout
ing and gesticulating, but his voice was near
~ drowned in conflicting calls from both
sides. Suddenly the whole dsgraceful scene
was brought to sudden and unexpected
conclusion. President Carr had taken a seat
on the floor, but had not participated in the
debate. His eyes were flashing when he
arose and interrupted Mr.. Morris.
"Mr. Speaker" he exclaimed, II am friend
TO the Senator from Richie, but he has OPEN
ly and outrageously insulted the chair"
[Cheers from Democrats and general tumult. ]
mir. Speaker. this thing must stop. II you
have not courage enough 10 defend yourself
will take IL upon myself TO do IL and will
make il personal matter with the Senator
from Richie. An insult like this should be
resented, and If were you would not stand
it,"
Again there were loud cheers from the
members and the audience. Morris could
not have been more completely subdued 10y
stroke of lightning. He was cowed by the
strength and evident sincerity Of the denun-
citation which II had provoked. and during
the rest OF n few rambling remarks, made il
an almost inaudible tone OF voice, he was
strictly decJrous.
The debate was continued by others,
General Golf having seat in the
room and coaching his followers.
His presence and actions were Oh
jected to by the Democrats, and
another tumult occurred, in the midst
Of which President Carr seized the
gavel, gave a mighty rap, and add
journed the assembly.
On Saturday the two houses again
met in joint assembly and consumed
the entire time in debating on the
election returns.
On Monday in the assembly vote
was reached on the amended resolu-
ton of Mr.. Flournoy to the effect
that the Speaker Of the House pro-
coed to open the returns of election
for Governor, held November 6, which
shall, without being entered on the
journal of either house, be referred to
the joint committee provided for by
law relating to contests for office of
Governor. This was passed by a
strictly party vote, the Democrats
having one majority in the joint as
sembly.
On Tuesdac the discussion about
the election returns was resumed.
Old man Maxwell. on the Republican
side, took it upon himself to abuse
Mr.. Sprigg. That gentleman endured
the insults for some time, but at last
arose and said to Maxwell in a tone
that showed he was in earnest: IF
you persist in such ungentlemanly
discussion you will find that you have
walked up the wrong person" Max
we'll thereupon subsidized. The count
was continued but was not finished.
On Wednesday the Democrats car
ried their final point by passing res
olution that the Governors vote in
the remaining counties would not be
read. The Republicans madea very
uproarious fight against it, but the
resolution went through by one ma
jority. The vote on Governor, so far
as il has been read. shows a ajority
IL II L.
said to be nonplussed just now.
Senator Kenna has lost ground in
his contest for the Senatorship. MessrS.
Dorr and Harr have refused right
straight along to support him, and on
Tuesday he was deserted by Van Pelt,
Shanklin and Merrill besides. The
latest is that Bob Carr is candidate
for United States Senator.