West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-02-21


some plays were given. always accompanied
by the weird singing and clappiug of bands,
One play represented dogs quarFeing over n
bone, and the deep grows and snRrls OF the
men representing the biz dogs. as we'll rs the
shrill bark OF the chiefs daughter the little
dog, were very natural. ms we'll as their ac-
ton Ano her play represented mother
moaning over her dead baby. She was
crying with one eye shut, Sa
moan custom, whom the father coming i'm
discovered the misfortune which had bo-
fallen his honse. 1hereupon the grief was
even more ViOlety. than that of his spouse,
aud he indicated That nothing could solnco
him but rum. " hen he had gained sufli.
scient 'control over his feelings he asked the
mother what was the cause OF the child's
death, and her reply created great merri-
ment among the natives. .'She said it had
died waiting for the Amer.cahm9n on war
60 comet Tho entertainmpnt finished in "A
frenzy OF motion, "A throwing ihe OF hands.
n whirl of the body, and hearty peal OF
laughter
The question is frequently asked: "What
interest has the United States In Samoh" y.
The interest IL not a small one. Samoa is
almost directly In the course OF vessels run
ming between the Pacific coast and Australia
and New Zealand. This line OF commereeds
growing very rapidly, AMI iis proportions.
will soon be immense. The United States
needs port OF call and a coaling station.in
Samoa, and II the Kingdom IL ln'the posses
Son of one of the great Europcqn powers
II would shut American vessels oVt
In case Of hostilities, and -thus do irft-
parable damage 10 this country. II tho
Nicaragua canal is completed Samoa viii
then be In the direct line OF communication
between Australia and Europe and this VIII.
add enormously 60 tho 'commerciai and
stratcgica valne OF the JLliids England
does not want them: she.hhs FIJI, Australin,
aud New Zealand. Tie United States does
not want them; IL only wants TO see them in
dependent: IL only asks that Samoan auton.
ho not ufqttipl laflo or ifnFtarilln1
benjamin Harrison md Levi p, Morton
have been officially declared President aud
Vice President elect by both branches OF
Congress in joint convention. This being
tho first time that the electoral vote was
counted under the new law, IL became, there
fore, nm occasion of unusual Importance and
interest Two hours before tho assembling
OF Congress the galleries and that portion Of
the iioor In rear OF seats IN tho hall OF tho
House Of Representatives were crowded
with spectators. a large proportion OF whom
were ladies. The first hour in both branches
was occupied with transaction of routine
business, 70 which but little attention was
paid by the members
Beside the Speakers chair was placed ono
Tor Senator ingalls,, who, as presiding of
tcer OF the Senate, vas 20 pres de over the
joint assembly, and in tho area IN front of
the Clerks desk were placed q number OF
richly upho'ste chairs and lounges for the
accommodation of the Senators At noon
the Speakers gRvel bushed the hum OF con
versation and tho chaplain made prayer.
After some routine business by the II use,
and promptly at 10 o'clock, the Senate was
announced. The procession OF Senators was
led by two OF the doorkeepers Then cRmo
venerable Captain Bassett, who has seen
fourteen electoral counts IN the Capitol The
captain carried two boxes Of electoral certih-
Gates. Behind him and closely watching the
boxes cnmo Presiding Officer Inghl and
General McCook, Secretary Of tho Senate
Two by.twO the Senntors marched down tho
central aisle behind the presiding officer
When they had taken their seats on the right
OF the Speakers desk Speaker Car iele handed
over his gayel and char 10 Mr.. Ingalls,, and
took ths adiOuinR cinfla on the left Tho
tellers took their places be ow.
The Representatives remained standing
until tho Senators had taken the seats as
signed them, and then Senator Ingalls, called
the joint assembly 10 order. Mr.. Ingalls,
This being the day and the hour appoint
cd for opening the certificates and counting
the votes Of Electors FOR President, the Sem
ate ana House Of Representatives have met
together pursuant 20 law.
Mr. Ingalls, then said that unless there was
some objection tho certificate Of the electoral
vote Of tho State OF Alabama would be read.
He handed the document 10 the tellers, who
were sitting in front Of the desk. They were
Senators Manderson and Harris and Repre-
sentatives Baker and ErmentrOut Mr. Man
derson read the certificate. which declared
that ton electoral votes In Alabama had been
cast for Cleveland and Thurman. The whole
document was read. ~ required fifteen min
utes
Senator Edmunds asked unanimous con-
sent, which VS. granted TINT the entire
reading Of each certificate be dispensed with.
Representative Cox made the next interrup.
ton by trying 10 read sentence from the
electoral count law requiring the presiding
officer 10 ask after the reading Of each Certiii-
cate N there vas any objection. Mr. Ingalls,
tried 20 ehnt him OF, but without success.
The presiding officer did not follow Mr..
COS's suggestion however
Things nOw got some what li ely and Er-
mentrout announced the vote Of Florida for
levi T.. Thurman for Nlco-Prcsitcnt where
upon dignity relaxed, and there was great
laughter This seemed 90 rattle the tcliers
and they made several mistakes Senator
Harris announced the votes Of Indiana for
Grover Cleveland and had % correct 90 %
Benjamin Harrison amid confusion and mer-
riment The spe taiors we're enjoying things
SO loudly that Mr. ingalls, bad 70 ask for or.
der
The count was completed in due order and
Horrson and Morton were declared elected
President and Vice President The vote ag
tabulated was as follows.
HARRISON ASD NOR cLEvELAND AND
Ton. THr RMAN.