Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-01-27
MISTER SPEAKER !
An EVENING WITH TIE REPUBLICAN MOCK
LEGISLATURE"
The Way Sslsc. Circle Of Politicians are gn-
thlsias icaly Looking Ahsr Their Prss,al
0aicss and Futurs Hopes.

which Is technically known rs the Re-
publican Mock Legislature. and popu.
lsrly recognized AS close corporation
OF Republican leaders, either now hold
Ing Office, recently holding Office. or
hoping TO hold Office. met again last
evening and devoted an hour or two to
prscticiog as statesmen, to the end that
II their country should csll them, or
any OF them, 20 sit in a legislative ca
pacity In any b.dy from Council up to
Congress, they may not DO entirely I'M
prepared 70 ftLngly fulfill the "unex-
pected" honor
As a matter OF fact. one of the chief
reasons for the existence OF the Mock
Legislature, is iss utility as training
school for ambitious Republicans who
belong TO the inner circle OF the party
In this city. II keeps them In practice,
enables them 10 say "Mr. Chairman"
with confidence and Just the proper in
tonHtlon OF voice, affords pretext for
having their names appear ia print
once week or so, aud generally makes
them conspicuous In party circles, so
when the members OF tho Mock" All
pear Ia future political primaries, par
AIDES, caucuses or conventions, they may
be pointed out by the common run" OF
the party as "One OF the leaders, sir"
influential in city politics. d" "mentioued
Tor mem ner OF the House. bound 10 be
q Councilman" etc. Ia snort, the Mock
Leg isluture is a sort of Second Degree
20 That somewhat shadowy aud Elusive
body, the Ohio County Republican Club
An Inner Temple, or Mutual Benefit
excrescence upon the general Republi-
can body polite, 20 tteu up by few sa-
gacious gentlemen OF an ambitious turn
OF mind, and worked for all 10 is worth
Tor tue exclusive benefit OF the carefully
selected mem bers. And the words
carefully selected" are used adyisedly,
for although there is spectous
protense that the door OF the Legisla-
ture Is ajar perpetually, 10 reality II is
about Is easy for an unknown Republi-
c1n-just common, ordinary, plain
h"puuiicau-tO enter and taks part In
the deliberations OF a regular Legisla-
turc, ne not being member, as for
him TO 90 up TO the Ohio County Repub-
llcan Club room on Leg islattve
night" and attempt 10 have say ia
the proceedings. lie can sit on the
back benches, saw WOOD and say
nothing, Out that is alum
less be does little quiet tniuk-
ing upon the ingenuity OF the
idea OF keeping politicians before the
public IN political way when there Is
nothing political going on. The Things
quite cute, m fact, and deserves COM
mendation right out iu print
Last night, when REGISTER re-
porter evaded the outer guard and
dropped In at the session, be found
some phase of the Hawaiian question
before the house, Councilman Ii. Q.
Richards, who has been mentioned for
the LEGISLATURE, but VINO really wants
10 be Sheriff, being in the chair. MIR.
Cowden, until lately postmaster, had the
hoor, and was making some criticism OF
the course Of MIR Pendleton," which
was calculated TO convey the i'm preston
TO stranger that the Lrgis awe idea
had been Shelved. and that the gentlemen
present had promoted, themselves by an
unanimous vote, to be C0ugresSmen. The
Chair was making a manful effort to
look diguited and serious but over and
anon 10 could be seen that the real
humor Of the situation Impressed itself
upon uim and reminded him " Che dav.
when he used TO ''play soirr' or some
other Imitation of a serious matter with
hts boy friends. But IN the main he
seemed o. realize the thing was
bAt . ~ bht pau ny WHICH lNe brethren
nave agreed 10 boost each oJaer into
prominence and Office, and must be-
carried out in all earnestness and sober
ness.
Not all the "members" we're in their
seats, but quorum OF the folks iu the
secret were evidently on hand, for the
''proc' edings' dragged along for quite
a while, enough eloquepce being wasted
20 almost do session OF the Second
Branch Of Council. When the stint OF
talk had been gone through with the
members adjourned, and nut on their
coats, the ladies-and there were quite
number OF them pressut-aiiusted
their wraps, and the meeting was over.
and the individual ambitions OF those
present had been advanced another
peg
An idea OF what the members OF the
Mock Legislature have la viewfn going
out these chilly nights to waste words
ia o cold hall in the fourth story Of a big
building on back street, may be gath.
cred from an inspection Of the subjolned
lI-U
John DlyIne-Candidato for Chief Of
Police
Capt p y Dovener-Congress
ID @. Richard
g. W.. Atkinson--Governor but
would go ~ Congress-.
W. G. Legislature.
h. J.. McDregOT-NOst anything, but
LEGISLATURE preferred.
S. o. B0yce-- Prosecuting Attorney.
DR.. Caddle- House Of Delegates.
l. chard Robertson County CLERK.
r.. I'd. Meudel-Sherd
S G.. smith Legislature.
IC. MoHat, j hn sheuhase, Jonn
i. HH.#U .l.H. q