Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-09-15


SCHEDULE TIME = SENATOR
HoGG DISCOUNTS THE NoMI-
NEE = PREJUDICE AGAINST
BELMONT LOST HER THE NOM
INEE-SKETCH OF j. J. GILL.
PROCEEDINGS IN FULL.
"TIe who has the most votes, the longest
purse or the best managers, often gets
there"
From the Unpublished "reminiscences
of Mohammed Swat.
The Republican Congressional Con-
vention of the Sixteenth district OF
Ohio, which convened at Martins
Ferry Tuesday morning, reached a
nomination at a quarter past two
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. The nom
inee is Joseph ]. Gill; the wealthy glass
manufacturer of Steubenville. He was
named on the 299th ballot after the
most stubborn contest the district has
seen in twenty years. For three days
the four aspirants, namely, Weems, of
Belmont, Frimple, of Carroll, Hollings-
worth, of Harrison, and Gill, of Jeffer-
son, held their delegates in solid pha-
lanx and successfully combatted every
aggressive attempt to break Oh
weaken them Frimple, from the first,
while showing a bold front, was al
ways considered in position to dicker,
but not so with the other three. 1t
was the dream of each to don the toga
once worn by Bingham, Updegraff and
Danford, and to surrender this cherish
ed hope was like tearing heartstrings
1t was ambition pitted against ambi-
ton, and the pride of not one of the
trio would bow before the proves of
his opponent. This irreconcilable con-
dition, however, could not hold out
always. Something had to give way,
and as had frequently been conjectured
before and throughout the progress of
the convention, Belmont was forced to
offer the means of escape to relieve the
tremendous pressure. This she would
not do until she was completely check
mated and no other course was posi-
BILE. She could go neither to the right
nor to the left, nor forward. Retreat
and surrender were the only alterna-
tives. Jefferson in capturing Carroll
and Monroe had builded a stone wall
about Weems except on the side Of
Harrison. Hollingsworth, when he
asked the "old guard" to stand by him
to the end, closed up the gap. Weems
was then as completely isolated as was
the lone prisoner of Devils Island. He
could prevent a nomination but couid
never make one, and he gracefully but
reluctantly surrendered his sword TO
his most powerful rival.
AS soon as the delegates arose yester-
day morning and absorbed their eye
opener they were upon the streets,
where the air was already redolent with
whispers of deals and combinations.
When the hour for converting ap-
preached it became generally known
that Carroll intended to do some
thing" Presently Chairman De Fords
gavel fell with whack and the secre-
tary began the roll of the counties.
The first ballot of the session, and the
219th of the series, showed no change,
which was decidedly disappointing to
the spectators. This was kept up I'M
til the 291st ballot, when something
dropped" and Gill stock jumped out u
sight. Carroll made the long looked
for break The nineteen Fimple votes
and two Butler votes were put together
and cast for Gill At this announce
ment bedlam let loose in the Jefferson
delegation, only to be again renewed
when Monroe, which had been waiting
the opportunity, cast her thirteen votes
solid for the glass, maker. To push the
thing along Monsfeld's lonesome
Isaac" made the Jefferson vote COM
plete. Result of ballot, Weems, 81:
Hollingsworth, rs Gill. 70. This only
left Gill five short. After seven more
ballots to show that the thing was in
earnest a motion was made to adjourn.
Belmont votes 81 yea; Carroll 21 nay;
Harrison 26 yea. The roll proceeded
no farther The delegates were going.
Jefferson to hustle for the five votes;
Belmont and Harrison to discover
where they were "at!
At p. m. the Opera House was again
jammed with eager humanity. There
were an unusual number of ladies upon
the stage to witness the closing scenes.
Every one knew something was coming
to pass. 1t had been demonstrated that
Fimple and Butler were sincere in their
support Of Gill and would stick. The
Weems men were morose and unso-
cable. The Gill people jubilant. In
the former could be seen a restless
ness begoJten OF dismay. D. H. Oar
rah. a Weems lieutenant. left his seat
upon the floor and had the chairman
by the ear for full five minutes. Then
came c. ]. Heinlein, who took a turn
at whispering, and others from Bel