Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-09-14

AS ancient Priam, by the Scaean gate,
Sat on the walls of Troy, in regal state,
With the old men-too old ana weak to
fight
ChirpiHg like grasshoppers in their delight
To see the embatted hosts with spear ana
shield,
or Trojans and Achaeans in the field
LoDgfellow, ''Morituri Salutamus."
The Republican Congressional con-
vention at Martins Ferry has been
pounding away for two days without
making a dent 1t is Greek against
Greek and no man who has pride in
his reputation as seer or prophet cares
to hazard it upon the outcome. There
were several times during the adjourn
ment periods yesterday when it looked
like there might be an early break in
the delegation from Carroll county, but
these hopes invariably proved to be
builded upon sand. 1t is said Fimple
will swing his 10 votes to Belmont as
soon as Weems can find the four addi-
tional necessary to nominate, but the
four are as hard to secure as 40. The
friends of Weems in Monroe county
have used giant efforts to secure him
the uuartette, but instead of succeed
ing have failed utterly. The sudden
injection of the Mooney Mallory factor
into the contest has had the tendency
to confirm the delegation in its orig
inal preference. Whatever credit for
naming the winner goes to Monroe
Keepers and Rouse are determined to
have and the policy of ignoring the
two bosses in the diekering and going
after the delegates individually has
proven bad politics ON the part of the
Weems lieutenants. Had they bided
their time Monroe, seeing that Gill
could not get the nomination, might
have eventually softened to Belmont
and rendered support, but now they
vow this can never be. The delegates
to go to Belmont must needs incur the
displeasure of DR.. G. A. Keepers, and
Keepers is a federal office-holder and
in a manner a representative of the
administration. The Monroe delegates
who might be friendly to Weems know
this and fear the consequence of in
dependent action.
Fimple may hold key to the situ-
alton, but it is not the key. 1t is not
long enough to unlock the strong chest
i'll which the Congressional nomina-
ton is kept. 1t can't nominate any
one. 1t can only swell Gill's possible
total to " and there it stops Without
break in Belmont there is no hope
for Gill, and Belmont stands firm. She
may presently go to pieces in utter
despair, but that time has not yet ar
rived. What to-day will bring forth
no man can tell. At l o'clock this
morning the leaders were in conference
but not the most astute were able to
see clear road to d nomination. Both
Belmont and Jefferson were pecking
away on Carroll. while Carroll was
claiming her own chances were better
than ever.
A sensational story was started last
evening before the balloting was re-
sumed to the effect that certain del
egation would make a move to have
secret ballot. This would give every
man an opportunity to vote his indi-
vidual preference, and would doubtless
make summary disposition of the
whole subject. 1t is possible this
course may be adopted as last resort
to solve the gordian.
Phil Helsley, the free lance candi-
date, arrived on the grounds yester-
day evening. He blames d. II. OAR
rah for not presenting his name and
q stampede is expected this morn
Tag. Delegates are warned to look out
for it.
Tho town yr-i1H with ant
last night. Brass bands and shouters
paraded the streets until late hour
and Heatheringtons band gave an
open air concert, which pleased the
crowd immensely.
The fourth session of the convention
convened at 10 o'clock yesterday morn
ing. The Opera House, as usual, was
crowded with delegates and interested
spectators. 1t was naturally surmised
that the many consultations among the
leaders during the night and the tire
less button-holing of the bosses would
have its effect and the first ballot was
anxiously awaited. 1t was half past
10 o'clock when Chairman De Ford
brought his gavel down with a whack
that made nervous people jump in their
seats, and without ceremony announc-
vi lAS bdttOIlIS NOull resume.
Secretary Tyler began the roll of the
counties for the 57th time, which gave
Weems 81, Gill So, Hollingsworth 81.
Fimple 10, Butler 2, Mansfield l. The
monotony of the Seeretarys roll call
and the announcement mo change"
was kept up for an hour and a half,
when adjournment was made TO
O'Clock, at the close of the 111th bal
lot.
The convention re-assembled at the
appointed time and with the exception
OF two Belmont county delegates. who
kept playing between Weems and Hol-
lingsworth, there were no changes.
When the 12Sth ballot was reached Ut
2:15 o'clock, Secretary Tyler, some
what exhausted with his task, asked
to be relieved, and w. B. Cast, of Bel
mont, was substituted for him. The
name appeared to put little
vim into the weary delegates
and the voting continued. w. P.
King, of Monroe county, moved
an adjournment until 8 o'clock, which
was carried, Belmont casting votes
against the motion and Jefferson /
vote against. The delegates \were up
and going before the chairman(h ad the
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