The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1898-01-13
IN THE LEGISLATURE.
The Official Ballot Shows Hanna
Went THROUGH by IL Scratch.

IN THE LEGISLATURE.
The Official Ballot Shows Hanna
Went Through by IL Scratch.
Columbus, Jan. 11.-This was the day
| for ballOtng to begin on senator. The
scenes of conflict were transferred from
| the Neil House and the Great Southern
motel to the halls of the legislature.
At an early hour the state House was
crowded by those taking more interest
| in the proceedings than in the inaugural
of yesterday. The effort to keep out the
noisy element by having admission by
ticket only was not carried out and there
was free rush for the galleries and
the lObbies. The conference committee
decided that the balloting should not
begin until the afternoon, but the gen
eral public seemed to look upon this an
nouncemcnt as a ruse to keep the crowds
away. At any rate every available space
was taken mp long before the Legislature
convened. The curiosity seekers listened
patiently to routine proceedings, while
the crowds that failed to gain admis-
sion kept up the demonstrations that
had continued all night. Those actively
engaged in the senatorial contest were
up all night and continued their con-
fcrenccs for further operations while the
members were in their seats at the state
house. The continued activity at the
headquarters of both factions in the
hotels indicated thar neither side eX-
pectcd the contest to be ended today.
At any rate they were evidently pre-
pairing for further operations if not for
the long siege of a deadlock
The popular interest in the proceed
ngs of the day was shown for any
further developments in the alleged
bribery case as well as in the result of
hn hnl Ia nD
full of charges and counter charges
about offers of money to members of the
legislature. II was claimed that Repre-
sentative John G. Otis of Cincinnati
would make n sensational statement on
the floor of the house when his name
was called. He claimed that Henry Nj.
Boyce of New York had been to see him
in Cincinnati ard also to see his attor-
ncy. Col. l.. 4. Campbell and that money
had been turned over to him. Accord
Ing to the announcement of the morning
papers, Mr.. Otis intended to produce
this money on his desk and make such
an explanation regarding it as would
call for an immediate investigation on
the part of the legislature. if the name
Of Hanna should be presented, and es-
pccinlly if he should he elected. The
supporters of Senator Hanna expressed
no fear whatever of this dramatic per-
ticipatcd it for several days. In addi-
ton To the Otis performance, several
other sensational acts were announced
unonicially by the most enthusiastic
workers of the contest
After being in conference all night,
the democratic caucuscs agreed on
Mayor Robert f.. McKisson of Clcve-
land as the only republican proposed
whom they would support for senator.
The democratic caucuses were stormy
and long-drawn out. 1t was found alb
solutciy impossible to agree upon either
Governor Bushnell or Charles l.. Kurtz.
Both names were considered and both
were given up as impracticablc candi-
dates.
Both branches of the Legislature met
at 10 Il. m. and many regretted that adj
mission by ticket had not been adopted.
The crowd pressed in on the floors of
both bodies. and ms the visitors were
prominent constituents they were not
put out.
In the senate bill to repeal the fifty
year street railway franchise came up
and il was postponed until tomorrow.
This bill has been used against Senator
Hanna in organizing the Legislature and
in the senatorial fight. 1t was stated
soon after assembling that all senators
and representatives were in their seats,
and both houses voted To ballot ut IL
o'clock Tor senator.
At 1OIO call of the house was de-
maudCd So as to put all on record as
being present, the doors were locked
and the hail was very quiet. No bust
ness was transacted during the first hour
of the session. The workers on both
sides were busily engaged in the Hobbies.
Senator Hanna, Mayor McNisson, Mr..
Nurtz and other leaders kept up the
contest nj the hotels.
The call of the house showed that Rep
rcSCntativc Cramcr, democratic member
from Paulding county. was the only alb
SCntCC. and the ScrgcAnt-nt-armS was dis
patched for him. Mr. Cramcr is very
sick lis physician forbade his attend
ancc. hut Mr.. C-lmer requested to he
carried to the hail of the house. On
the first call button of Morgan and
Manuel of Montgomery did not respond,
hut they were soon found in the lobby.
Quite large delegation went to the
boarding house of Representative Cramcr
to fight il ont with his physician and
| family. After waiting Il half hour the
republicans moved that further proceed
ingS in the house he dispcnscs with. As
this mean; To- proceed with the ballot in
the absence of CrumCr there was Il close
/ fight ON the motion. The tgst vote re-
suited in Li ayes and - nays and the
house dispensed with the call and pro-
cccdcd Ia business. Great applause on
the republican side.
Erpr, sentative Kenny rose to a qucs-
ton of privilege and had read the
charges referring to bribery of Rcprescn-
tativc Otis of Hamilton county. He Of
tered resolution that committee Of
five he appointed ~ once to investigate
these specific chalncS and any other
charges Of bribery affecting any member
| ut this house.
Mr.. Ashford moved to amend the res
oiutiou So that said committee Of five
should he empowered to investigate any
other charges Of persons in connection
with the election of Il United States sen
Hto..
The ayes and nays were called on
very motion and there was an attempt
this juncturr to delay the proceed
= 10y these means.
\ motion was made on the democratic
To suspend the rules and consider
Kenny resolution at once This w NJ