Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-02-01
THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS
Was a Subject of General Conversation
On the Streets Yesterday.
Kept Close to Their
Homes During the Day-How the
Bosses Managed the Affair-The
Bad Break of Councilman David
son -Hahne Will Not be Street
Commissioner.

Republican Councilman were not On the
streets yesterday They contented them
selves with reading the full and accurlte
report of the proceedings Of their caucus
in the Sunday Register, and spenE the re-
mainder OF the day in adding to thar
stock of ready excuses, in order to be pre-
pared for the disgruntled candidates whom
they will meet to-day. The Registers re-
port Of the proceedings was read with in
terest. ard the caucus was the principal
subject of conversation everywhere. The
seXtette OF representatives from the
Eighth ward were kept busy in telling
their constituents how it was and one
of their number had another explanation
TO make. They had the satisfaction of
hearing expressions Of approval of their
action in Withdrawing from the caucus,
as the average Eighth ward republican
believes that section of the city to be en-
titled 20 at least fair proportion OF the
plums, as a matter of right.
The real caucus was held Friday night
at the call of Boss Hall and some of the
lesser satellites. The slate was fixed up
then. and ratified twen,y-four hours later.
The word was passed around the inner
circle, and all N sht have gone well but
for the garrulousness of some of the
lucky candidates. Whether it was re-
solved to ignore the banner Republican
ward does not appear. but it is likely that
this action was taken deliberately and
knowingly. as the gentlemen who pulled
the strings are too astute to overlook the
relation of geography to politics.
Those Councimeu who were not on the
inside realized yesterday that they had
been playing the game with m7rked
deck. and it is probable that there are
several who secretly commend the Eighth
ward delegation for "squealng, although
a regard for their political future prevents
thcm from doing so openly. The bosses
PLAYED their cards well. but there was
mis-deal when Alex. Forgey slipped in, as
it was generally understood that Edward
Elliott was the ring candidate for Re
ceiyer. Elliott was sacrificed through
candidates for places under the Boards in
order to crafty their own ambitions.
5. O. Boyces "throw-down' was a strik-
inc example of the small amount of con-
dd,rce which may be placed in political
promises Sans friends believed that one
night of the caucus he was led 10 believe
that his reelection was certain.
The withdrawal of the Eighth ward del
egation was the climax of the little drama
Tor farce. The bosses "smelt a mouse
before the caucus was called to order
which explains why Harry Mcclure sug-
gested the adoption of an iron-clad rcsc>
luton binding members to vote for the
caucus nominees. The suspicious of the
ring were verified a moment later, whe2
Tom Davidson hiute that whispers of the
star chamber session had been heard in
Ritchiotown. and that unless the claims
of the banner Republican ward We're rec
ognized, the Eighth would bolt the eau
Gus.
Had there been q greater number OF
Democratic members-elect this threat Of
Mr. Davidson would have been more ef-
f,ctlvc No kick was anticipated from
any other delegation, however. and the
ring masters knew they had more than a
sufficient number 10 push the slate
through. They could afford, there ore. to
laugh. and when the Eighth ward mem
bers carried out their threat it excited
the rsibilities Of the other members in
such a degree as must have been CALLING
/ 10 the delegation from Squire Schultze's
| bailiwick.
1t was a contention for principle on the
part of the Eighth ward Councilmen. 1t
could have been nothing else, for, con-
sidered from practical standpoint, it lost
them whatever chances they had for Sc
curing a single plum. 1t was understood
that David Hahne was slated for Street
TD,.sst
will be rendered the position. The bosses
II is understood argue that the Eighth is
already sufficiently provided Cor, having
good places in the gas office and being
slated for the assistant city clerksnip;
and that it doesn't make much difference
about that ward, anyhow, as the voters
can be relied upon to continue their pr2c-
tice of scratching all tickets bur The he
publican.
What action the Eighth ward members
will take in Council is a m0tte~ for con-
lecture To be consistent, they mus vote
against the slate and if they support it
they will again be twitted by the majority
of their party members. Council will meet
Tuesday night. and the will Of the bosses
will prevail
A matter which was commented upon
adversely throughout the city was the
extremely bal break Of Councilman Da-
vodson in declaring tina, 10 cln1 man,
Democrat or Republican, should hold any
official position Friends of Mr.. Mickey
or. who was defeated for clerk of the Cen
ter market. are especially sore over the
matter. They point to the fact that Mr.
McKeever has always faithfully dis
charged his duties, and that he has ham
died $4,000 during his incumbency, and
accounted for every cent of that sum.
Mr.. McKeever has been elected by former
Councils without regard to politics, the
very fact which Mr. Davidson urged
against him having always counted in his
favor