Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-20
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
Charleston, w. Va, January 49,
Natan B. Scott received the Republican
caucus nomination for United States
Senator tonight. 1t was a hard fight,
and the victory was not won until
eighteen ballots had been taken.
Complimentary votes were distribute
ed on the first few ballots. Then the
real test of strength came.
SCOTS support was firm, steadfast
and true.
From the fourth until the last bal
lot he varied only three votes.
Atkinson's friends oscillated and
gradually it became a contest on the
part of Scott against the field.
When it was realized as a fruitless
task to make inroads into SCOTS
strength, the opposition united upon
Judge Golf. The efforts to stampede
the caucus to him failed, and on the
eighteenth ballot Scott won out by the
narrow margin of one vote.
There was a lengthy discussion be-
fore the balloting commenced, but no
nomination speeches were made. The
majority entered the caucus determin-
ed to make a nomination before ad-
j%ourning.
Dark horse supporters argued against
a caucus pending the determination of
seat contests, but they argued to no
avail.
Delegates Asbury, of Putnam; Hunt,
cite, refused to sign the call and did
not participate in the caucus.
Various and conflicting rumor are
in circulation relative to their attitude
toward the caucus nominee. The fact
cannot be disguised that their position
is causing the Republican managers
grave concern, Notwithstanding their
profession of confidence in the loyalty
of the wilfully absent members.
The agreement as to the number en-
titled to participate in the caucus con-
victs the Republicans of insincerity in
their contests for Democratic seats in
the Senate. The Republican contest
ants were not entitled to vote. By a
peculiar manipulation of the rules of
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE,
which would have reflected infinite
credit upon Gear Reed, Republican con-
testants in the House were counted in
making up the total, as entitled to
vote, but the privilege of voting was
denied them.
In order to reach a grand total of 50
votes, Via, Brohard, and Huntington
were included in the list of members of
the House of Delegates. Huntington
is contesting the seat of Delegate Tai
bolt. A resolution was adopted, max
ing 81 votes necessary to a choice, yet
but forty-nine were entitled to vote.
There is considerable happiness,
liquid and otherwise, in the Scott quar-
tiers tonight, the Ohio county ring
easily taking the lead in its individual
and collective manifestation of exuber-
ant Joy.
The caucus was called to order by
VIM. NJ. o. Dawson. chairman Of the
Republican State Committee. and or
ganized by the election of Senator R.
E. Fast as chairman and Delegate Byrd
Hill as secretary.
The most extraordinary precautions
for secrecy were taken. Mr.. Martin,
of Kanawha, moved to exclude all but
Republican members of the Legisla-
ture. A motion to permit members of
the State Committee to remain, was
received with a howl of dissatisfaction.
Chairman Dawson stated that they did
not desire to remain. A delegate
moved to search the galleries and ante
chambers. All the window blinds were
lowered, inside and outside, door-keep-
ers were appointed and a stalwart at
tache of the Senate patrolled the corri-
dor leading to the gallery. Spectators
were required to remain at least ten
feet from all the doors. No opportu-
nifty was given t either see or hear
The first news to come from the
hall was the announcement of the re-
suit of the first ballot, which was as
follows:
Total vote, so; necessary to choice,
81; Scott, Is; Atkinson, Il; Golf, 5;
Poffenbarger, 6; Caldwell, 2; Gaines, 1.
This was not really a test of strength,
as it was understood that several COM
plimentary votes were to be given on
the first ballot
1t was given out that Wood county's
three votes and Poffenbarger's full
strength would go to Scott on the
second ballot. This claim was not sus-
tanned. The ballot resulted as follows:
Continued on secead Page.