The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-03

DIR JOSEPH w. SOUTHALL.
Dominated by the Caucus for Superin-
tendont of Public instructiOn)
70 gather about tie capitol long before
o'clock. Members OF the caucus were
"a little slow I'm arriving. and for m hour
those who were running for office. their
boomers and disintorested spectators had
possession Of the building.
NIX. COOKE MADE CHAIRMAN.
AS had been anticipated by The Times.
Hon. Or. r. Cooke OF Norfolk. was re-
elected chairman of the caucus. AS soon
as this had been done there occurred a
very interesting incident
Mr.. Diggs. of King william. offered a
resolution providing for the order I'm
which officers should bc nominated He
placed tho position OF Superintendent Of
Public Instruction first on the list Of the
Offices over which there were contests.
Senator w +. Barksdale. of Halifax was
quickly on his feet with a motion 10 post
pone the nomination of a candidate for
Railroad Commissioner In an impasslon-
fault 30 find with General Hin. the in
cunbent ne wanted that Office abolished
or the duties changed. and the expenses
or the commission paid out of the public
treasury instead Of being assessed upon
the railroad companies.
Senator Barksdale finally was persuaded
10 withdraw his motion until the Office
IN question was reached.
II was here that Delegate Featherston.
OF Campbell. got in the resolution in re-
gard TO rotrenchment and reform. which
was passed by the House caucus Tues
day night
IEsr OF STRENGTH.
This having been done. the antl-Lynn
men by some sharp skirmishing showed
that they were in the majority. Dele
gate Saunders one of the atlcst men on
the noor Of the House or or the caucus
moved 10 amend Mr.. Diggs' resolution by
placing the Once OF Superintendent of the
Ponitentiary ahead Of that OF the Superin-
tendent OF Public Instruction.
The Lynn men fought this move. but
they we're easily outnumbered and the
amendment prevailed.
Messrs. Lawless. Marye. Ryland. and
uarman were al reelected by acclama-
ton. and then one OF the great struggles
OF the evening commenced Delegate
Montague. Of Elizabeth City. had wisely
had a resolution adopted limiting nomi-
mating speeches to i've and seconding
epeeches TO two minutes. This rule was
not strictly complied with, for when
Senator or Delegate had exhausted the
time he was entitled to some one always
moved that his time be extended, ana
there was never any objection TO this.
HOW THE BATTLE WAS FOUGHT.
The Lynn people triea 10 carry the eau
Gus BY forceful appeals 10 the members.
rney al talked OF the Majors splendid
management OF the penitentiary and OF
his excellent business qualities. Messrs.
RYAN Mushbach. Fairfax. Diggs. Hobbs,
Pitcher and Boykin all pleaded earnestly
for Major Lynn. and their magnificent ad-
dresses seemed greatly 10 impress the
Senators and Delegates. Mr.. Helms sup
porters did not rely SO much upon speech
making. They knew their strength and
their organization was very nearly per-
feet Mr.. Saunders led the fight for Mr..
Heims. and Messrs. Galleher. and Keezel
assisted him In presenting the cdaiins Of
Mr. Helms.
The opponent OF Major Lynn spoke very
kiudlv of him and dio not NJ AT any
objection 10 the superintendent until
snurred on BY the opposition. Then II
Was intlmated thar Major Lynn had in
serfered too much In the politics O. some
or tae rninties ard had been TOO severe
on the men employed under him.
II was apparent long before the vote