The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-04
TIE HOUSE Caucus.
Mr.. Ryan. Speaker; Col. Bigger, Clerk and
MrJ. w. johnson, scrgesnt-at Arms.


suit Of the two Democratic caucuses 10
ba held last night. The greatest In
terest. however. concentrated on the
clerkship of the Senate, and while both
candidates-Dr. J. ID. Pendleton and Mr..
Joseph Button-were hopeful. yet no one
could tell with any certainty what the
result would be. About o'clock In the
afternoon it locked rathe blue for Dr.
Pendeton, but little later in the day
some OF his staunchest friends arrived
on the scene, and at once took OF. their
coats, fguratively speaking 10 see what
they could do for their candidate. To-
wards evening the prospects OF the for
mer clerk looked somewhat brighter, but
towards the hour of the caucus the situa-
ton had again become very much mixed
up.
But little attention was paid during tho
day to the affairs OF the House. the
only marked interest manifested among
the delegates being for the position of
Sergeant-at-Nrms, for which Mcssrs. Kin
dred OF Roanoke, and Johnson, OF Rock
bridge. were candidates. While both
competitors were '0peful all day, yet II
was apparent 10 the disinterested spec
tator that the chances of Mr.. john
son were from the outset better than
those of his opponent.
The Democratic members OF the House
assembled in the hall Of the House OF
| Delegates shortly after O'Clock, sur
| rounded by a number OF officials and
a, S:25 =. NJ. Mr.. 7. g. Pitcher. or Fau-
auier county, one of the oldest members
| former members OF the Legislature, ana
| of the House, raped for order, stating
| that the Democratic members had as
sembled for the purpose OF organizing,
and to nominate officers. who should
preside over the deliberations OF the
| House during the coming session. After
announcing that the nominations for chair
man OF the caucus would be in order,
Mr.. Pitcher recognized Major Baker L.
Lee, of Elizabeth city county.
| MIR. COOKE CHAIRMAN.
1T is with peculiar pleasure and pride"
| said Major Lee. that ] propose to ex-
ercise the privilege of presenting to this
caucus a gentleman TO act as chairman
who is well known 10 the older members
| and not a little known 10 the new MEM
| hers The gentleman whom | refer 10
| is familiar with parliamentary law, he
| has ruled with distinguished ability DUR
! ing former sessions. he f. hne-looklnS,
possesses a sonorous voice. and IS a
| firm but fair partisan. / refer to one OF
| the representatives OF the good seaport
| Norfolk. Mr.. Merritt r Cooke. and move
| that his nomination be made by acclana-
ton"
The nomination was heartily seconded
by Mr.. Newberne. OF Norfolk county,
and Mr.. G. r. Bland Of Portsmouth
Mr.. Cooke was then nominated chair
man Of the caucus by acclamaion, ana
| after briefly thanking the members Tor
| the honor conferred uson him, he an
| nounced that the next business I'm order
would be the election OF secretary.
Mr.. Newberne nominat ed for that posi-
| tion Colonel John s. liarwood OF Rich-
mond. who was also elected by accla-
nation.
After those who were not Democratic
members or ex-members OF the LeSlSia-
| ture. or representatives OF the Demo
! cratic press. had been requested 10 retife'
! Air John p. Miller. of Rappahannock'
was proposed by Mr.. Pitcher for the
posititon of sergeant-at-Arms. and his
| nomination was made unanimous.
| MIR. RYAN, SPEAKER.
The Chair then announced nominations
| for sneaker of the House TO be. IN
| order. ,,
AIR Randolph Harrison. of Lynchburg.
] nornirated Hen. John +. Ryan, OF Lou
| doun county, for that position. In doinS
so he said that II was not necessary 10
| say anything about Mr. Ryan to the ola
members. For the benefit OF the ne"
members however. he desired 10 state
that Mr. Ryan was the Oldest meiiDcI oi
| the House. having served continually
since the session Of lSs3-'H. lie was
/ man of the highest character, urhanitN,
! ana courtesy possessed a thorough knowi-
cdre of parliamentary law, and was wen
worthy of the support OF every member
| Of the House.
Ar Rvan's nomination was briefly sec
onded bv Mr.. Ncwherne and also by Mr..
William II. May, Of Alexandria, who eN-
pressed the confidence that MI Ryan
would make an impartial Speaker.
After Mr. Ryan had been nominated for
the position by acciamation, Messrs Har-
rison of I.vnchburg: Hundley. Of Amelia,
ana Lee. of Elizabeth City. were appoint
ed a committee TO notify Mr.. Ryan of his
nomination. They soon returned with Mr.
Rvan. and the latter. In thanking the
caucus for the honor conferred upon him,
spoke in substance as follows:
"Fellow-Democratic members, am
| deeplv grateful for the honor which you
have lust conferred upon me. The duties
of this responsible. position are always
difficult and more difficult at this session
bv reason OF the more equal division or
the politi. 81 parties I'm this House In
carving out these duties / shall ask for
vour kind assistance. In the making up
of the standing committees. the most i'm
portant duty before me-. know that VIII
not he able TO please everybody, but i
can promise that | shall do the very best
[ can so as to do justice equally 10 all.
COLONEL BIGGER CLERK.
The chair next announced nominations
for Clerk to be i'm order. and Mr.. HUBBARD,
OF buckingham, nominated Colonel John
Bell Bigger for that Office.
Twenty-Five years ago, said Mr.. Foster,
of Norfolk, | stood on this floor, and at
that time Colonel Bigger was here as
| Clerk His services were valuable then,
and they are certainly far more valuable
now, and almost Invaluable.
The nomination was then made unani-
,nous. and Mcssrs Hubbard, Foster. and
Redav. of Richmond, were appointed a
committee to inform Colonel Bigger of
his nomination They were out for some
lime. and Mr. Reddy finally returned. re-
porting progress. stating that Colonel Big
ger had not yet been found. but that he
would be on hand presently.
At this juncture OF the proceedings Mr..
Eppa Hunton, Jr., who represented Lou
doun and Fauquier counties I'm the House
last session. entered the hall and was
heartily welcomed by his numerous
friends.
Mr.. willard, of Fairfax county, then
offered a resolution, recommending that
the House endorse Mr.. Merritt T.. Cooke
lor chairman OF the joint caucus OF the
two Democratic houses. The resolution
was adopted.
Colonel Bigger then appeared and thank
ed the caucus for his nomination i'm one
Of his characteristic and humorous