Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-03
DETAILS OF LAST NIGHTS CAUCUS.
Fight on Railroad Commissioner
Mr. Helms Defeats Major Lynn.

Fight on Railroad Commissioners
Mr. Helms Defeats Major Lynn.
Last nights caucus was full Of inte-
rest Bvery Democratic member OF the
Legislature In the city was present and
the rotunda was packed and jammed
With political leaders and others inte-
rested In the various contests. Most Of
tho candidates and their managers occu-
pied seats In the Senate chamber.
The caucus was called to order by Mr'
Cooke for the purpose, he said, OF noihl-
mating candidates for the various offices
and any other business that might pre-
sent itself. The first business, he said'
was the election of a chairman.
Mr.. Morris placed in nomination 1or
the chairman OF the body Mr.. Merritt 1.
Cooke who was unanimously elected.
Mr.. Cooke in accepting the office, mace
d few appropriate remarks. He then
stated that the next business in order
was the election Of "a secretary. Mr.
Newberne placed in nomination Mr.. WI
liam Mann. who was unanimously elect
ed.
Mr. Keezle placed in nomination Tor
sergcant-at-arms the present officer or
the House, 10 be assisted by the Sergeant
alarms Of the Senate and the door
keepers OF both bodies. These oi1cers
were declared 7lected.
FIGHT ON GENERAL HILL
llr Diggs offered a resolution providing
that the caucus go into the election OF
the following public officers: Secretary
Of the Commonwealth, Auditor, Second
Auditor. Treasurer Superintendent Oh
Public Instruction. Register Of the Lana
Office Railroad Commissioner, and Su-
periut-ndent of Public Printing.
Senator Barksdale offered resolution
20 strike from that list the office OF
Railroad Commissioner. The office was
useless. he said. and he was In favor OF
its adjustment. and he intended to in
troduce "a bin with that end in view
Mr. B0az asked the Senator If ne
thought the State would be benefited by
aboiishing this Office.
Mr. Barksdale repeated his assertion
that the Office was useless. at least as 1t
was 40 present. IF we are to have a
Railroad Commissioner l am in favor oil
allowing the Taxpayers Of this land to
pay that commissioner. The State would
then have an officer who would perform
his duties" he said.
Senator Morris declared that the ONCE
Of Railroad Commissioner was created
by the laws Of this state. and the caucus
was In session 20 nominate a candidate !
IN accordance with those laws. He hoped |
the body would proceed with its business. |
Mr. Mushbach here called the atten- |
ton Of the Chair 10 the fact that the |
hall had not been cleared according 10 |
he instructions Of the presiding officer. |
The sergeant-at-arms was again request |
% 20 see that all who were not members |
OF the body or representatives OF the |
press vacated the hall. This was speedily |
DONE
The discussion was then continued |
Both Senators Morris and Keezle stated |
that the officers did not enter into the |
discharge OF their duties until the lst |
OF January, and that II any office was |
70 BE- abolished there was time for such |
legislation. Mr.. Barksdale again spoke |
against nominating a Railroad Com
missioner.
The question then came up on the adop- |
ton Of Mr.. Diggss resolution. Mr.. Fea-
therstone arose at this juncture and Of
Tered the following:
Resolved. That this caucus proceed |
10 nominate State officers In the same
order IN which they are stated I'm the
Code"
Mr.. Diggs then withdrew his resolution
In favor Of this.
NOT COMMITTED TO SALARIES.
Mr. Williams offered a resolution pro-
Ndine tha, in nominating officers the
members Of the Legislature should IN
no way commit themselves as TO the
salaries attached TO such Offices.
Mr. Digs objected 10 this on the ground
mat II was not germane 70 the question
before the body. The Chair decided that
TIE resolution was germane. as IL was
onered In the nature OF substitute.
Senator Mushbach called the pending
question.
Mr. Earksdaie's resolution was declared
before the House
hr. Pitcher mado the point that this was