Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-11
HOUSE CAUCUS.


The democratic caucus announced at
today's session of the house convened
tonight. at S:45 In the hall of the house.
Hon. L. M. Stansel, of Pickens coun-
ty, was elected temporary chairman, and
Hon. Massey Wilson and Jon r. Proc
tor were elected secretaries.
A committe of nine was appointed on
credentials, of which committe Hon. Will
son r. Brown, of Colbert, was made
chairman. After a retirement of one
hour and five minutes the committee re-
ported to the body, and Chairman Brown
offered the following resolution for pass
age.
"Only those who voted for the demo-
cratic nominees in the August election
of 1896 and also voted for Bryan and
Sewall and the democratic nominee for
congress in the November election of
1896 are entitled to seats in the demo-
cratic caucus.
"w. r. BROWN, Chairman"
"W. w. HILL, Secretary"
The resolution was adopted, with only
one dissenting vote, and the doorkeeper
was instructed to see that the condi-
tions were compiled with as far as the
first floor of the house was concerned,
but 1t was stated that the gallery was
not includede In this resolution.
1t was then moved and unanimously
carried that the temporary organization
of the caucus be made permanent. AS
fected Chairman Stansel stated that the
next business of the caucus was the elec-
tion of a speaker of the house OF rep
resentatives.
Here came the important issue of the
meeting, and there was a stir in the lob
bies and on the floor. The race for
speakership has been an enthusiastic one
and the friends of the various candidates
were In earnest.
Mr.. Cameron, of Sumter, placed In NOM
ination the name of Col. ]. ]. Altman,
of Jefferson. Mr.. Stansel, of Pickens,
kaloosa. Hon. Charles e. Waller. of
Hale, was nominated by Mr.. Glover, of
Green. r. b. Barnes of Lee, was nomi-
mated by Mr.. MCGUIRE, of Russell, and
Col B. L. Hibbard, of Monroe, was placed
in nomiration by Mr.. Cofer, of Cullman.
Hon. Wilson r. Brown. of Colbert, and
Hon Cecil Brown, of Talladega, having
withdrawn from the race last night,
their names were not offered to the eau
Gus.
The first ballot resulted as follows:
Altman, 10; Clements, %; Barnes, IL;
waller, 49, Hibbard, g. AS the majority
rule had been adopted, 33 votes were nee
essary to a choice, and the chairman
called for a second ballot Col. Hibbard's
name was withdrawn.
The ballot resulted: Altman, IL; Glenn
ents, 25; Barnes 10; Waller, H.
A third ballot was ordered and resulted:
Altman, Is; Clements, %; Barnes, 10;
Waller, IL.
AT the ordering of the fourth ballot the
name of Mr. Barnes was withdrawn and
the vote resulted: Altman, II. Clements,
30; Waller, 10, which showed a total Of
66 votes cast.
The sixth ballot lacked one vote of
nominating Hon. N. Clements; 1t result
ed: Altman, IA; Clements, 33; Waller, 19.
The sixth and last ballot nominated
Hon. N. N. Clements, of Tuscaloosa, as
follows: Altman. 10; Clements, 36; Wal
Ter, 20. Necessary to a choice, "a. The
strength of Barnes going to Clements
made the final ballot a foregone conclu-
sion when his withdrawal was announc-
ed
The chair then stated the next business
was the election of clerk Of the house.
The name of Hon. Massey Wilson. of
Clarke, was offered by Mr.. Long, of that
icounty, and Mr.. Tunstall. of Hale, moved
that he be nominated by acclamaticn
and the motion prevailed and Mr.. Will
son was announced the n mice.
For assistant clerk of the house there
was a very clcsc contest between Jesse
Adams, of Dale and Mr.. Thornton, of
Mobile. The first ballot resulted In a tie
vote and the second nominated Mr..
Adams by majority of six.
: Hon Val. Taylor, of Perry county.
was nominated for ensrossing clerk by
acciamation. His universal popularity