Oakes weekly Republican. (Oakes, Dickey County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1898, 1891-03-13
A SENATOR BY ONE VOTE.
The Illinois Legislature Elects Gen.
Palmer to the United States Sen.

A dispatch from Springfield, Illinois.
dated the 18th inst, is as follows:
1t appeared to be foregone conclu-
sion that Gen. Palmer would be elect
ed United States senator by the solid
1o1 democratic votes of the joint as
sembly, assisted by those of two
of the F. M. B. A. men, Moore and
Cockrell. Yet therepublicans were not
ready to go down without struggle.
They held a caucus to see if they could
not at least kill off the democratic
candidate. To that end the steering
committee was empowered to handle
the matter as it might think best.
That committee held q consultation,
and at it's conclusion sent for Repre-
sentative Moore, one of the F. M. B.
A. men, and offered him the solid re-
publican vote of 100 if he and his two
conferers. Cockrell and Taubeneck,
would join them. This offer was con-
sidered good politics, in any event.
If accepted, it would defeat Gen. Pal
mer and put the F. NJ. B. AS under
decided obligations to the republicans;
if rejected it would put the farmers in
the anomalous position of refusing to
help elect farmer. 1t was q Tempt
ing lure; but Moore did not lose his
head. He said:
II regret to be obliged to disappoint
you gentlemen. but your offer comes
to late. After waiting eight weeks in
x,o II, for ro,,,,hlioop c,,,,p0rt rocLro1l
and myself have decided to give our
votes to Gen. Palmer, and have af6x-
ed our signatures to an address to that
effect. l appreciate your kindness, l
appreciate that the great majority OF
your party has always been sincere,
but honor now points out to me but
one line-to cast my vote today for
John M. Palmer in accordance with
my pledge. thank youfor the honor
which you extend, and assure you of
my best wishes for you ALL"
The steering committee, in discuss
ing the situation, finally decided to
give their vote to Senator Fuller, chair
man of the steering committee, in re-
congnition of his services as leader,
in case every member would pledge
himself to obey the mandate Of the
committee.
A few minutes before the meeting of
the joint assembly the republicans
Joined in the chorus of "Auld Lang
syne' amid great applause. Thedem-
ocrats also struck Up melody, but
of rather more cheerful nature. In
the meantime every available inch of
space in the chamber open to thepub-
lie had been occupied by a throng in
tensely eager to witness the closing
scenes In this memorable contest.
Therepublican steering committee Or
:dered their membersn not to answer pre-
liminary roll call. Senator Evans, how
ever disregarded the committees in
functions and answered "Here!" when
his name was called. On the roll call
ofthe house both Cockrell and Moore
answered "Here!" and were loudly
applauded by the democrats and Wis
itors in the galleries. On Taubeneck's
failure to answer to his name there
was slight ripple of applause on the
republican side, which was quickly
suppressed by the steering committee.
twenty-five senators and seventy
nine members of the house have an
swered to their names" said the speak
er. "It is now in order to take anoth-
er vote for United States senator"
When Cockrell's name was called he
rose to his feet and said: 81 vote for
John M. Palmer" For q few minutes
the democratic shouts ndcheers that
reYerberated through the capitol were
deafening. Moore's name was called.
That gentleman arose deliberately and