Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-13
Special to the Register.

Charleston, w. Va, January Il
There was a scene in the halls of the
House of Delegates to-day which would
have frightened a skilled parliamentary
ian.
The struggle between the two poll
ical parties began in earnest with the
first move on the Democratic side. 1t
continued throughout the day, but so
far as outward appearances go, there
was nothing to indicate that it was not
simply game of strategy.
Both parties had previously outlined
their courses of action and had chosen
the persons best fitted for the leader
ship. Democratic intellect and wit
was matched against the brains and
resources on the minority side, and
when the fight ended for the day the
Democrats had won a signal victory.
w. B. Outright, of Upshur. led the
Republicans, assisted by Oldfield, of
Mercer, and Martin, of Kanawha.
Handicapped as they were by being
on the wrong side of the point at is
sue they fought well.
John w. Davis, of ClarksbGrg, who
possesses all of the ability and force of
his distinguished father, was selected
to lead the Democrats. He is but 81
years of age, but is magnetic speaker
and courteous gentleman. The bril-
liant manner in which he conducted
the case of the majority side won for
him compliments which are seldom ac-
corded one Of his years. After his ad-
from Democratic standpoint, he was
congratulated on all sides,
MANY REPUBLICANS
pressing forward to shake his hand
J When he came into the hall for the
afternoon he found aslarge vase II
roses and carnations upon his desk
His thorough familiarity with all the
facts bearing upon the contested seats
in Taylor and Monroe enabled him to
osition, and his knowledge of the legal
phase of the situation assisted him in
outwitting the opposition several times
during the day.
He was ably seconded by Major E. A.
Bennett, of Cabell county.
With great flourish of oratory, and
contrasting strangely with the Repub-
lican parrot-cry, AN eye for an eye,"
several members on the minority side
made more or less eloquent pleas for
fairness in the consideration of con-
tests in the two counties. One of these
was Mr. Martin, whose plea was al
most pathetic. Later in the day he dis
carded his mask of fairness and re-
vealed his partisanship. When the
Republicans found themselves beaten
at every point, they resorted to dila-
tory tactics, and Martin was the prin-
cipal offender The men who advocat-
ed disregard of partisanship and
higher regard for the oath of a dele
gate in the morning, became the OBJ
structionists this afternoon.
The Democratic position was outlin-
ed and defended in the admirable
speech of Mr.. Davis, upon his motion
to refer the papers and documents bear
ing upon the contest between Via and
Logan in Monroe county, to the COM
mittee on privileges and elections,
which has been previously appointed.
He contended that the matter about to
be referred should have been determin-
ed on Wednesday, before Mr.. Via
HAD BEEN SWORN IN
as member. The accident which
placed Mr.. Hill in the chair, and the
manipulation of the strings by the
power behind the throne which made
Hill a mere automaton rendered such
course impossible. He referred to the
fiimsy pretext upon which Mr.. HILL aid
ed by Mr.. Outright. endeavored to es-
tablish precedent, as stated in the
Register to-day. They violated a pre-
cedent established in the Smith Okane
case in 1893, which was similar. The
question of eligibility was then raised
and determined between them before
the oath was administered. Mr.. Davis
clearly defined the law. which makes it
the duty of the Secretary of State to en-
roll as members of the House those
who present certificates of election.
The statute is plain, and admits of no
other possible construction. A certi-
ficate of election is prima facie title to
a seat in the house. Mr.. Davis cited
numerous authorities. He then re-
viewed the facts in the Monroe county
case, and when he concluded, the Re-
publican task of disproving the charge
that ihe Secretary of State exceeded
his authority, was hopeless.
In hiJ reply. Mr. Oldfield did the best he
could |ith a poor cause. He argued that
the d@ties of the Secretary of State are
not purely administrative. but sometimes