Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-15
FORCES WIN THE SEN
AToRIAL FIGHT.
BUT ONE BALLOT WAS NEEDED.
VOTE STOOD. KERENS 80, FILLEY
&c, SCATTERING 3.
kerens Men Were in Full Control of
the Caucus, Carrying Their Ev-
cry Point-Strong Appeals
for an End to Fac
tionaI Fighting.

Jefferson City, Mo-, Jan. 14.-(Special.)
The Republicans of the Thirty-ninth gener-
al assembly held a caucus tonight and de-
cided to honor with their votes Colonel r.
c. kerens for United States senator next
Tuesday. The meeting was characterized
by perfect harmony. although the race was
close between Mr.. Filley and Mr.. Kerens.
Only one other name was presented to the
caucus, that of Hon. John Kennish, al
though one admirer voted for Gardiner
Lathrop. Both the Filley and anti-Filley
forces were perfectly organized, as. is
shown by the votes on all of the PROPOSE
tions.
The first scrimmage took place on the
selection of chairman. The Filley men
nominated Senator Klene and the antis
named Senator Landrum. The antis took
first blood by electing Lardrum by vote
OF 81 to q. Mr.. Landrums election was
then made unanimous. He made n short
address in which he stated the object of
the caucus was to decide upon man for
whom the Republicans should cast their
votes for United States senator next Tues
day. For secretary, Lee B. Wood, of Mer-
Ger county, was named by the antis and
Harry Clymer, of Crawford, by the F'illey
men. On this ballot, the antis gained one
vote, as the vote stood: Wood, 81; Clymer,
26
A motion by Mueller. of st. Charles, that
the nomination of senator he made by bal
lot. brought Schweickardt to his feet MAX
ing objection. Dunn, of St. Louis. offered
substitute that the vote be by viva Voce
vote.
Senator Gray made strong talk urg-
ing that the party get together and stop
this pickering liz factional fights. Lets
take a ballot" he said, go out of this
hall as Republican brothers, and forever
lay aside factional differences.
Senator o 'Bannon, who had refused to
vote on chairman and secretary. next took
the floor. The Republicans of this state
are getting tired of this factional lighting"
he said, 'and l am getting tired of it, too.
Let us take 4 secret ballot. If there are
going to be factional differences in the
party l shall walk out of this caucus" At
least dozen senators and representatives
took up the argument, and for an hour and
a half orators were many.
Major Bittinger called attention to the
fact that TIE persons who now opposed
eighth general assembly caucus, desired
and had n ballot vote.
Once more the ants were victorious, for
the substitute was voted down and the
by the vote of 81 to &c.
Aydelott then brought the real business
of the caucus to head by moving that
the body proceed to the nomination of n
United States senator. Baugh, of Washing
ton, nominated Chauncey /. Filley in
thirty seconds speech.
Major John l.. Bittinger nominated Col
onel r. c. Kerens in talk of about the
same length.
Representative Dunn seconded the NOM
ination of Filley.
Representative O'Fallon. of Holt county,
made 4 vigorous assault on the factional
fights and ended by nominating ex-senator
John Kennish, of Holt, who was the Re-
publican candidate for attorney general in
the recent election.
Senator Powers seconded the nomination
of Mr.. Kerens, and Representative Regan,
of St. Louis seconded the name of Mr..
Filley. The first ballot was then taken.
The members. as their names were'called.
walked to the secretary'S stand and cast
their ballots. Many of the Filley men voted
by voice for their choice.
The first ballot resulted in Mr.. Kerens'
nomination by this vote: kerens. 80; Ken
nish q Gardiner Lathrop. : Filley. &c.
The caucus adjourned. at 1925 o'clock, to
meet again next Monday night.