The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-03-12
GEN. PALMER ELECTED
To the United States Senate by
the illinois Legislature
after a LONG DRAWN FIGHT.
Two Farmers Alliance Men Leave
Their Candidate and go to Palmer
after the Republicans oner
to Eelect the Farmer.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,. March 1.-THE
long fight over the United States sena-
torship ended to-day.
Gen. John NJ. Palmer was elected on
the 154th ballot. M.
It appeared to be ioregone conclu.
sion this morning that Mr.. Palmer
would be elected, but Che Republicans
were not ready to go down without a
struggle. They held d caucus to see II
they couldn't at least kill Of the Demo-
cratic candidate, and the steering COM
mittee sent for Representative Moore,
one Of the F. NJ. B. A.. men, and offered
the solid Republican vote Of 100 II he
and his two conferees, Cockrell and
TaubeneCk, woutd join-them. This Of
fer was considered good politics. Itac-
cepted In would defeat Gen. Palmer and
put the F. NJ. B. A. men under obliga-
tfors 10 the Republicans; II rejected, 1t
would put the farmers in the anomalous
position OF refusing to help elect
farmer. 1t was tempting lure, but
Moore did not lose his head, saying that
he had decided to vote for Palmer.
A few minutes before the meeting Of
the Assembly the Republicans joined In
the chorus OF "Auld Lang Syne," amid
great applause. The Democrats also
struck up melody, but Of rather more
cheerful nature. In the meantime the
Chamber was occupied by an eager
throng, aud when a call OF the roll was
ordered there was intense excitement.
Representative Taubsneck, when bis
name was called, voted for "a. ],
ssreeter, nominee OF the F. NJ. B. a.
party" and, dropping to his seat, burst
into tears. Sincere sorrow moved him,
and cheer after cheer from the Republic
can side rewarded his loyalty to his
party nominee.
When the ballot was completed the
verifcation OF the roll showed every
Republican voting for Lindley, every
Democrat for Palmer, Moore and Cock.
rell for Palmer, and Taubeneck for
streeter. The Democratic representa-.
tives cheered themselves hoarse, and,
mounting their desks, threw hats and
papers and baskets in the air, and sew
eral members blew horns.
When the tumult subsidized, Senator.
elect Palmer was introduced, and made
an address, in which he thanked the
members for tho honor conferred upon
him. The Assembly then adjourned
sine die.
Moore and Cockrell received many
beautiful floral pieces from members
and friends, and after the adjournment
OF the House great crowds pressed
around them and shook hands and con-
graduated them, tie tbrong including
great many ladies. Firebells and church
bells all over the city were rung as soon
as Palmer's election was made known,
and on public buildings and private
houses flags were hoisted and bunting
hung out.
This has been q gala day for the capi.
tol city OF Illinois. For nearly year,
in fact since General Palmer favored the
movement in the West for the election
OF United States Senators by the vote Of
the people, it has been the cherished
dream Of his Springfield friends and
admirers throughout the State that he
might ultimately be chosen as the sue
cessor Of Douglas in the prairie State
and the first Democratic United States
Senator from Illinois since the days Of
the Little Giant" thirty years ago.
This dream finally has been realized
and the pent up exultation Of the
Springfield and Illinois Democracy has
found expression in every form Of hilar.
ity aud celebration known to the refine
ments Of civilization.
Indeed, when usually exultant parti-
sans found the restraints OF civilization
too combining for proper expression OF
their feelings, they have resorted to
gongs, horns and other primitive sound
making devices oftener utilized by the
Sonth Sea Islanders and aborigines than
by the great Anglo.Saxon race.
All the afternoon and evening squads
OF shouting and cheering, Democrats,
headed frequently by man with tin
horn, gongor some improFised musical
instrument, have marched through the
streets and when tired they have in.
variably wound up at General Palmer's
residence where, entirely unmindful Of
the fact that the General was at his office
several blocks away or seeking seclusion
in the Democratic State Committee
rooms, they have given cheer after cheer
for the Democratic senator.elect.
John Macauley Palmer was born in
Scott county, Ky, in 1917. In 1881 he
emigrated to Madison county, III. Young
Palmer received a little schooling dur.
ing the summer OF 1888. He formed the
acquaintance Of Stephen A. Douglass,
then making his first canvass for Con.
gress. Young, eloquent, and in political
accord with Mr.. Palmer, he won the lat.
ter's confidence and fixed his purpose to
enter upon the study Of the law, and he
was admitted to practice In 1882
From that time on Mr.. Palmer was
much Interested in politics. In 1843 he
became Probate Judge, and in 1S47 he
was elected TO the State Constitutional
Convention. Ia 1852 he was elected to
the State Senate. He ran for Congress
in 1859, but was defeated. In 1860 he
was Republican Presidential elector
for the State at large In 1851 he was
appointed one Of tho Ave delegates (all
Repubiicansl sent by Illinois to the
Peace Congress OF Washington.
When the civil war broke out he was
elected colonel Of the Fourteenth Iii.
nois Volunteer Infantry, and partici.
pated in the engsgements at Island No.
10, Pennington, Chickamauga and Stone
River, and for bis gallRntry at the latter
place was made major general. Under
General Sherman he was assigned the
Fourteenth Army Corps, and particle
pated in the Atlanta. campaign. In
February, 1855, he was assigned to the
militsry administration Of Kentucky.
General Palmer was nominated for
Goyernor Of Illinois by the Republicans
in 1868. and elected by q large majority.
His political course during his term was
such as to ALLEVIATE him from hlH party,
and he became a Democrat, which he
has ever since been, but, though force
In politics gincs then, he has remained in
private life. He received the endorse.
ment Of the Democratic State Conven.
tiun, held In June last, for the Office OF
United States Senator, and the instruc.
tions which every Democratic Senator
and Representative elected in NoVem.
beE lGstreceived were oonstdeEed as obli'
eating him TO vote for no one else tor
United States Senator,