The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-16
FIRST GUN FIRED IN FLORIDA
THREE CAUCUsEs HELD At ITALIA
HASSEE.


The First Meeting Held in the After
noon at the Armory and Attended
by Only - Members of the Legis-
Iature-One Caucus Held at Night
in the Hall of the House of Repre-
sentatives and One by CalI's Fol-
lowers in the senate Chamber.
Tallahassee. Fla, April l5.-The senate
rial question overshadows all others here
to-day. Just after the House adjourned a
call for a general senatorial caucus to be
held tonight was read from the speakers
desk. the petition being signed by forty
members. A similar cali was read in the
Senate and was met by Senator Broome,
who invited all opposed to such a caucus
to meet at the armory at O'Clock.
In the house the scene was more dra-
matte. John Stockton, member from Du-
val county, and a Jacksonville banker,
took the floor. and after referring TO SEN
sational scenes enacted in the senatorial
caucus of 1891, when pistols flashed and
all was disorder, asked that the friends
OF Senator Call convene at the armory at
3 O'Clock.
1t was an unfortunate break, and was
Immediately corrected by Mr.. Aver who
suggested that the invitation be made to
include members opposed to a caucus.
Mr. Stockton accepted The suggestion.
This armory caucus was attended by for
ty-six persons, not over twenty-five Of
whom were members.
The first attempt to hold a senatorial
caucus was made tonight. AT $3.50 O'Clock
Mr. Watson of Osceola county, called the
meeting to order in the House of Repre-
sentatives Mr.. Whitner was elected chair
man and Mr.. Watson secretary. 1t being
moved that the role be called, Senator
Dougherty handed in the petitions Tor the
caucus to call the roll from. Thirty-two
senators and representatives answered TO
their names, although many more were
present.
Senator Adams, in answering to his name
said his stay in the caucus would be de-
termined by circumstances.
Mr. Fielding said he had supposed II
was to be a democratic caucus, but If
private affair he would retire.
Mr. Harris moved that the name of any
democrat present be added to the roll call.
Mr. Fielding replied that the motion
came tooaate for him.
Mr.. Dougherty moved to adjourn.
Mr. Dupree in taking the floor said 1t
was the duty of every democrat to at
tend the caucus and he was cheered.
Some other remarks were made, when
Mr. Dougherty declared that every men,
Der present knew there would not be
majority of democrats present, but they
had at least formed the nucleus for fu-
ture movement, and he trusted that eau
Gus might be held that would nominate
United States senator in accordance to
democratic precedent.
The caucus then adjourned to Monday
night.
An attempt was made by the Callites to
hold a caucus in the Senate chamber, but
only a few members were present. The
roll was called and the meeting adjourned
TO Monday night
The routine work Of the legislature was
of little interest. The st. Johns county
contested election case came up again.
The committee again recommended the
seating of Mr.. Byrnes, the democratic con-
testant.
Mr.. Blanton, of the committee. read
statement, favoring Mr.. Carter, the re-
publican contestee. and Mr.. Stanford Of
fered a resolution as a substitute for the
report seating Mr.. Carter.
Mr.. Christie moved to table the resolu-
ton, but his motion was lost, and the mat
ter was made the special order for to-
morrow morning.
The bill dividing the proceeds of the Ii
quor licenses between the general fund
and fine and forfeiture fund. which passed
yesterday, camp up this morning on Mr..
Turner's motion to reconsider the vote.
Mr. Harris objected ana reconsideration
went over.
Mr. Turner is the member selected to in
troduce the South Carolina dispensary law
bill, and Senator Tillman of South Caro-
lima, may be invited here to assist.
Mr.. Chipley's resolution expressing SYM
patty with Crete was adopted by the
House after a futile attempt to kill It by
Mr.. Wall of Putnam.
The usual grist of new bills was ground
out, none being Of first Importance
In the Senate Mr.. Dimick introduced a
resolution 10 investigate the East Coast
canal and report not later than May 5.
Bills requiring non-residents to procure
license to shoot game were introduced in
both houses.