The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-06
CAUCUS OF THE HOUSE.
OFFICERS OF THE LOWER BRANCH
OF THE LEGfsLATURE.
Hon. X. III. CnrdweII Again the Speaker
and Colonel John Bell Bigger will OF
Course be the Clerk-O hers.


Of the House of Delegates, which will
take place to-day at noon. the Democratic
members of that body met in caucus at
the Capitol last evening. The hour was
set for s O'Clock, but it was half an hour
later when Mr.. John F. Ryan. OF Lou
doun. raped for order OF the 50 regu-
/ lar democrats entitled 10 attend the de-
| liberation of the caucus, 80 were present.
on motion OF sir. u. II. Downing Of
! Clarke and Warren counties. Mr. Ryan
was made the permanent chairman and
Mr.. G. j. Campbell, Of Amherst was elect
| ed secretary.
Mr. Ryan announced that nomination
for Speaker of the House were in order
and Ar. Isaac Digs. Of King William and
Hanover In a neat speech placed Mr.. X.
II. Cardwell. the Speaker Of the
House during the last session In nomina-
ton. He said that in behalf Of the peo-
pie o King William and Hanover counties
he felt deeply grateful for the honor OF
being permitted 10 make the nomination
The Democrats OF Hanover county were
highly gratihed by the honor conferred
upon Mr.. Cardwel on former similar oc-
casions. lie thanked the old members for
having elected Mr. Cardwell before and
hoped that the old and the new members
would unite on this occasion TO elect Mr.
Cardwell again. His works were living
monument Of his honesty and he well de-
served a reelection. which he hoped,
would be unanimous This was at once
agreed to and Messrs. Diggs and w. \.
Fentress. of Portsmouth, were appointed
a committee to notify Mr.. Cardwell OF
his denomination. They soon returned
with the Speaker OF tn House, who once
more is TO preside over the deliberations
Of that body.
Tho peater.
Mr. Cardwel in thanking the caucus for
its action, stated that with heart pro-
foundly grateful DE ACKNOWLEDGED the hon
or just conferred upon him. TO be elect
ed by a Democratic caucus for that eN-
allied position. was indeed great honor
but he did not propose to make a speech.
lie promised 10 give the House his most |
faithful services and to protect the in |
terests Of all members I'm the most impair |
tia} manner. He asked his fellew-mem- |
bers 10 pave the way out Of the many diff !
hcultics confronting the Speaker. The |
present House was composed Of as good |
material as any before and ne would |
have the most difficult task in appointing |
the committees, but he would put forth |
his best effort in making up the commit |
tees so as 10 do ample justice TO all the !
members. If he should fail i'm this en- |
deavor, IT would be only fault Of his |
judgment.
Nominations for Clerk Of the House were |
next declared to be in order There was /
a certain lull in the proceedings, for while |
every one present knew that there was /
only one name to be submitted 10 the |
body, that of Colonel John Bell Bigger, /
who for many years filed that position .
in the most acceptable manner. each /
member was looking for some one else
TO make the nominating speech
Finally Mr.. CardWeil rose in his seat /
and stating that a man who had just
been nominated himself, felt like nominat-
ing some one else. he announced that he
would nominate for the position that
ever faithful and efficient clerk Colonel
John Ben Bigger. As soon as Mr. Card
well had mentioned Colonel Bgger's
name the members applauded. and his
nomination was at once ratified by a
unanimous vote. Renewed applause fol-
lowed the action of the caucus.
- .-eau'-a 5 ,of
When Mr.. Ryan declared nominations
for sergeant-at-arms to be in order Judge
J. K. Edmondson Of Rockbridge. sent
several papers TO the desk, which were
read by the secretary. one paper was
letter from Captain A. j. Taylor Of
Fluvanna. stating that at the time when
he announced himself TO be a candidate
for the position he was not aware Of the
fact that Captain John G. Carpenter. Of
Allegheny would be q competitor. IN
asmuch as the latter had announced him
self, the writer declined 10 be a candl-
date in opposition 10 him. Another paper
contained the endorsements Of all the
county officials and other prominent
citizens Of Fluvanna in favor OF Captain
Taylor.
Judge Edmondson then in an eloquent |
speech nominated Captain John G. Car
penter for the position. He was an old |
Confederate soldier Of the late war. who
lost an arm in the service of his country |
as a valiant member of the famous Car
penter's battery. lie added that ne could |
vouch for Captain Carpenters intell-
gence, and that he would discharge his
duties with credit to himself
Mr. A. f. Withrow, Of Bath. expressed
his qualification TO be permitted 90 second
the nomination Of Captain Carpenter /
who, he felt convinced would flI his du-
Ties to the satisfaction sof all concerned
lie knew the candidate as a brave SOL
der and a Christian gentleman. During
the war he had one brother killed before
him, another had his leg shot OF. a third
one received other serious injuries and
ne himself lost one arm
AR ~ c. Thomas, Of Craig and Roa-
/
ROANOKE who, during the last session.
was the second doorkeeper.
The balloting was then commenced
"hlch resulted in 4G votes for CARPENTER
ana 81 lor Kindred Captain Carpenter
was declared TO be the choice of the
caucus.
DOorkecpers
Mr.. 4. o. Sullivan. Of Christiansburg
VINO during the last session. was first
iooIkeeper, was nominated for the same
position by Mr.. j. u. Sumpter. Of Mont |
5o!hefy. ana the caucus ratified his nomi-
lauon by unanimous vote.
when the position OF second doorkeeper
vas reached, Mr.. Merritt T. Cooke. OF
!, NoIto.A' nominated Mr.. c. =. Beale. Of 4,
NoE4oiN' an ola Confederate soldier, who , ,
eFVed ~ the army until the surrender AT
I, ppo-ia, 'oN- Mr. Cooke thought that
VI beal, no was an ab.e-bodjad vet
ran, would be. a good selection 10 assis, !
ne Jtnef TWO officials. one of whom, had \
oa' dn arm While the other had his Leg
"a, ut OH lie added that, In his opinion.
ne second congressional district was en-
luea 10 this Office. having always been Z
ySdI 30 the Democratic party and having :
wen the largest majority of an the dis
riots az the recent election.
Mr. James y. Jones. Of King and Oueen.
dominated Mr.. r. L. Lipscomb of the
anne county. and Mr. W. c. Fentress.
I Portsmouth, seconded the nomination
i Air Beal, while Mr.. Withers. Of Pitt 4
yiVania, placed In nomination j. b. Ken g
eoy, another old confederate soldier. p
mo, for five years had been an inmate o
the Soldiers Home and had Just been S,
ufhCiently restored 10 health IN 40 sona- | n