The Monticellonian., 1898-01-07
ANT!-HANNA MEN WIN,
Organization of the Ohio Legis-
 lature at Columbus.
AN ANTI-HANNA MAN CHOSEN SPEAKER.
The Vote was 50 to 53, and by the Same Vote the Other House Officers were Chosen-The Senate Organized
 by the Democrats.

by the Democrats.
 COLUMBUS, O., Jan. 4.-The Ohio leg islature convened at 10 a. m. Owing to the senatorial contest unusual in- terest was taken in the organization of both houses. The caucuses last Saturday night were not on the usual lines between the republicans and dem oerats, owing to some of the re- publican members having formed fusion with the democrtic members for the defeat of Senator Hanna. The senate stands IS democrats and Is re- publicans the latter including Senator Noight, who was elected on fusion ticket from Cincinnati, and who did not attend either caucus.
 At the senate republican caucus Sat urday night, Senator Burke, republi- can, of Cleveland, was not only absent, but he was at the same time nominated by the democratic caucus for president pro tempore .of the sen ate. The republican caucus nom- in ted Senator ]. Park Alexander foExresident pro tenn. The absence of Se~tor Burke meant not only hls elec- ton, but the election of democrats for the offices in the senate. Senator Burke is opposed to the reelection of Senator NJ. A. Hanna. With party lines drawn in the senate. Lieut.. Gov. A. w. Jones, republican, would have had the tie vote to cast, and he has been considered as opposed to Hanna
 n gta Ie |, | 4 democrats, the former including four fusionists from Cincinnati.
 At the republican house caucus Sat urday night there were only 52 pres ent and pledged to Alexander Boxwell for speaker. Of the ten abscnteees Griffith, of Clinton, was the only one offering an excuse. He was sick. The other nine republicans were ab- sent because they are opposed to Ham la, and regarded Boxwell as the house candidate.
 It required an hour to examine the credentials and swear in the l09 men bers of the house, but the 36 senators soon qualified.
 All were present in the senate cham Der except Senator Burke, of Cleve- land, the republican who is opposed to Hanna, Senator Noight, the fusonist, from Cincinnati but even then the Vote stood IS to r ill favor of the dem- oerats, who elected all the officers
 0. D. CasselI, dem, was elected Chief clerk over A. (. taine, rep, the latter having expected reelection by Burke's presence, although Burke would not support Hanna. As senator Burke was absent and could not be sworn in, T E. Crowley, dem, was elected president pro tem. of the senate, but it is under stood he will give way to Senator Burke for that place as soon as the latter arrives to take his seat. The democratic organization of the senate was made complete in a very quiet way, while a detach ment of policemen was needed to hold back the crowd that flied the hall of the house and pressa about its entrances.
 In@ Be hall of the house the widest scene. were witnessed during the first hour of the session. All of the 109 members were in their seats. After the name of Boxwell had been pre- sented as the regular republican candi- date for speaker, the name of Repre- sentative Mason trep.1, was presented by Representative Jones (rep.), and seconded by two other republicans. The democrats did not participate in the speaking.
 As the ballot proceeded there were loud cheers as the doubtful members responded to their names, and when the roll-eall approached the ciose and Mason secured the necessary majority there was long demonstration that delayed the official announcement of the vote.
 The first ballot resulted: Mason. 5o; BoXwell, 52; as had been claimed since Saturday night by the combined oppo- sition to Senator Hanna. The com bine then completed the organization of the house.
 There was also much excitement over the election of speaker pro tenn. Speaker Mason has been all along openly opposed to the reelection of Senator Hanna, but John P. Griffith, of Union county, had been claimed by both sides. The Hanna men say they counted on him till he was nom- mated Saturday night by the combine for speaker pro tenn. When Representative Griffith cast his vote in clear voice for Mason for speaker s...ere was wild scene and the excite ment continued till Griffith was elected speaker pro ten. by the same vote as that for speaker.
 This mornings sessions of the sem atc and house caused no surprise at the Hanna headquarters in the Neill house, or at the opposition headquarters in the Great Southern hotel. The dem onstrations of rejoicing at the latter place were beyond description. The opposition insisted that Hanna was not as strong as Boxwell; that Hanna would have 50 votes in the house and only F in the senate, or a total of 67 on joint ballot, which is six short of election.
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