Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-12-27
SPIRIT OF IFEFE ERSON.
TUESDAY MORNISG, DECEMBER q. 1898,
a FIaaT FOE SENATOR
Bitter Contest to Be Made for Control of
The West Virginia Le gIs !ature.


Bitter Contest to Be M ade for Control o.
The West Virginia Legislature.
WAsn1xGroH, Dec. 30. = The
storm centre # ihr al.i coaching
Legislature lght in West Virginia
Was transferred yesterday and to
day from the State capital to the
capital OF the nstion. Almost every
Republican leader and officer, hold
er of prominence in West Virginia
was present this morning at an eX
tended conference at the residence
of Senator Stephen B. Elkins, at
1926 K street, and the situation in
West Virginia was discussed in all
its phases.
Among those who were present
were Governor Atkinson. Attorney
General Edgar p. Rucker, Repre-
sentatives Dayton and Miller and
Representative elect Romeo H
Freer; I. E. Houston, j. II. Hulicg
former Representative from West
Virginia: Capt. John K Thompson,
A. B. White, George c. Sturgiss,
John w. Mason, Internal Revenue
Commissioners Scott and about
twenty more of the prominent Re
publican from the State.
After much discussion of the
advisability of making q fight for
the control of the Legislature upon
the ground that officers IN the vol
unteer service have right to sest
in the State Senate, it was deter.
mined the fight should be entered
into and carried out to the bitter
end. The programme as explained
by one of the prominent leaders will
be as follows:
"On the face of the returns" said
he, 1.-The Republicans have seven
teen Senators aud the Democrats
nine. The Republican majority in,
cludcs Senators Getzandaner of JEFF.
ferson county, who now holds a
commission rs captain i u tic United
States volunteer service, and Pier,
son, of Clay county. who is in the
service as lieuienant With these
two men we have majority in the
Legislature on joint ballot of one in
the vote for Senator. The Demo
Gratis control the house and there
are q number of cortestee seats
there"
"What will your party do if the
Democrats urseat members in the
House?' ives asked.
"For every man who is unseated
in tbs House we will urseat one il
the Senate. IL the operation con.
times too far, We will withdraw
from the organization and organize a
seperate House The question will
ne will be submitted to the Cover
nor and he will recognize the Re
publican organization"
Mr.. e. r. Rucker, whose utter.
ances in regard to the pending leg.
islative fight have created so much
excitement in political circles
throughout the country, was seen
this afternoon at Williard's Hotel
where he is stopping while in Wash
iugton. Il will stand by everything
that 1 have said in regaad to the
situation" said he. "Rather than
permit the Democrats to gain con.
troll of the Legislature l would sec
the State of West Virginia plunged
into civil wer. The Republicans
have the Legislature on joint ballot
and they will keep it; never fear for
that. The Democrats will never
steal the Legislature from us again
You can present my compliments tc
the papers that have been saying
that am an anarchist"
Little was developed in regard tc
the proposition for Governor At.
kinson to Withdraw from this Sena
torial race in favor of Commission
er Scott. 1t was reported, however
that Atkinson will swallow this pill
that the doctors Of the Republican
organization are proposing for hin
with small! grace, as q seat in the
United States Senate has been tho
ambition of his life, while the feler
al judgeship, which is proposed fol
him, will mean practical retire
ment from public life, Most of tht
conference left Washington tonight
While the Republicans have been
planning their campaign, the De
mocrats have not been idle. Hon
John 7. NcGraw, of Grafton, who
is looked upon as Senator Faulkner
successor in the United States Sen
ate. IN case the Democrats coutro
the Legislature, also paid a flying
visit to Washington and was visit
ed by prominent Democrats il
Washington from his State. He cell.
ed on Col. W. j. Bryan and had
talk with him He also saw some o
the prominent Democratic leader
in the House and Senate and re
ceived assurances of their sympath,
and support in the coming fight
Mr.. McGraw expressed himself a
confident of the successful outcom
of the fight in his State, if justic
should be done the Democrats.
!