Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-02-19
pemocratic conference.
Manlu AcLloa d .ssnalor Kenna.

- StateS - -
Especial Telegram 70 the Wheeling Register ]
CHARI.EsToN, February Il. The
Democratic members Of the Legisla-
ture met in conference tonight, and.
the result was = victory for the friends
of party harmony and unity. It
gives the lie to every charge that has
been made regarding Democratic de
vision, beyond Dorr' s action, and es-
pecially to the slanderous falsehood
that Senator Kenna or his friends
would stand in the way of q trium-
plant election of Democrat to the
United States Senate.
In brief, the conference determined
to cast its solid vote, as near as pos
sible, for John 3. Kenna for United
States Senator, and a supreme effort
is to be made to maintain party GUS
toms and party usages, and If any
member sees fit to stand out against
the will of forty-five others lie will
answer for it to his people and the
Democracy of West Virginia.
The conference met in the Federal
Court room, and in the absence of
Mr.. Lively, Judge Samuels called it
to order. After brief statement of
the purpose of the meeting to con
slider the grave crisis which confront
ed the Democratic party in regard to
the election of an U. S. Senator, and
a further preliminary discussion in
which there was a general inter
,,I,oy,rro rf t,iatr,, Ssonofor TY,,,,no o,,-l
peared and defined his position. 1t
was clear and manly statement,
worthy of the man whom Democracy
has honored so highly. He said that
his fate rested only with the mem
bers present. Whatever they. should
decide upon should be his decision
and he would cheerfully and willingly
lend his support to any man whom
the majority of the party might see
fit to choose for astandard-bearer.
His personal interest would never be
above Demo cratic success.
Col. Chew, of Jefferson, then took
the floor and concluded forcibIe
speech in favor of harmony and unity
of action by the motion that it was
the sense of the assembly that its
unanimous vote should be cast for
Mr.. Kenna tomorrow. The motion
was before the conference for CON
siderable time and nearly every mem
Der explained his views of greater or
less length.
Mr.. Flournoy strongly advocated
the position taken by Mr.. Chew and
declared that Senator Kenna, with
more than two-thirds majority of the
Democratic members voting for him
should be made the nominee of the
party and should receive the enthu-
siastiG support of every Democrat
Like sentiments were expressed by
other gentlemen, notably Senator Nc
Alister and General Sprigg. Both
made strong addresses urging the
true Democratic view of the situation.
Mr.. Merrill, of Writ. who has voted
for Mr.. Kenna, hut has not been con-
slant in his support. agreed that it
was the duty of the party to make an
earnest and consistent effort to secure
an election. He for one was willing
to throw aside personal feeling and
would sincerely and enthusiastically
support Senator Kenna.
Other gentlemen whose course of
action has been similar in some de-
gree to aIerrill's concurred in this
expression of sentiment. The mo-
ton was finally put in the form that
the members present should vote for
Mr.. heHna on every ballot until after
Saturday. Then if an election was
not secured another meeting would
be held and action taken sccordingly.
1t was voted for by every member
present and so ordered as the sense
of the conference.