The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-13

Three sessions Of the congressional
convention of the Republicans of the
Sixteenth (ohio) district were held yes
terday at Martins Ferry. The conven-
ton organized in the morning, with
Judge U. c. De Ford, of Carroll. as
permanent chairman; committees re-
ported, resolutions were adopted, the
namesofcandldate presented andnine-
teen ballots takenin the afternoons while
at the evening session. which lasted
about an hour, thlrty-sIx additional
and equally us Intellectual ballots were
taken. This summarizes the story of
the convention up to date in a nutshell.
OF the several candidates, Mr.. Weems
occupies far the most formidable posi-
ton, and the sentiment outside the
convention seems to be general that he
will come out of this fight winner OF
the prize. To begin with, he leads his
nearest opponent, Mr.. Gill, 10 the ex-
tent OF nine votes. Then, too, he has
his county solldly now, and 1t is claim
ed the two doubtful ones who at one
stage yesterday voted for Hollings-
worth, will not again leave the Weems
column. Also, 1t is difficult to figure
out any combination that looks like a
winner which hasn't Big Belmonts
"sixty-One' In Its composition. ON the
other hand, 1t is easy to figure certain
combinations by which BELMONT with
not great deal Of help from otller
counties can win out handily. Here are
a few Of them:
nominate.
Belmont, Carroll and three votes from
lioni oe, Just enough to nominate.
Belmont, Monroe and eleven scatter
ing votes, Just enough to nominate.
ON the other hand, Messrs. Hollings-
worth and GIL have to figure on many
more outside votes before they can
make a winning tabulation.
Last night found the Weems people
more confident than any OF the others.
When two votes went from Weems to
Holllngsworth just before the afternoon
adjournment, II was feared the Bel
mont candidate could not again COM
r6nnd the solid support OF his home
county, but when the night session bal
iotInE commenced old Belmont once
again swung into line with siXty-one
solid plunkeTs for Mr.. Weems, an an
nouncement that created enthusiasm In
the convention hall. both in the CALLER
les and on the floor. The lone MANS
field. delegate from Jefferson county,
also. for time last night, cast
his vote for Gill. and the Steubenvllle
boomers became quite enthusiastic, but
soon Delegate Voorhees, changed back
to his favorite, Mansfield.
There is some talk to the effect that
RNy1Nfnh far
has voted sOlidly for Hollingsworth,
cannot be held for the home candidate
indefinitely, but this rumor Is strenu-
ously denied by General Holllngs-
worth's lIeutenants and may be with
out foundation. It Is said Mr.. Weems
stands well with the Harrisonians US n
second choice, but It IS not seriously
believed they can be swung over to the
Belmont man before Hollingsworth
gives the word. II Is said Holdings
worth and Gill are not particularly
close, and that Of the two. Weems
and Gill. HollingswOrth would rather
see the former win, II he cannot. Some
betting was indulged IN at Martins
Ferry last night, and bets were made
on Weems against the field. This, how
ever, reflects the local sentiment for
the home candidate rather than any In
dIcatIon that Weems has the prize III
sight.
During the day many Wheeling Re
publIcans were in Martins Ferry In the
role Of interested spectators. Among
them were Sheriff Richards, A. 8. Bell.
W. H. Curtis. Collector Hall. Circuit
Clerk HennIng Chief Of Police Glenn
ans, City Solicitor Nesbitt and others.
without exception, they are Weems
men, and would be delighted II the con-
ventIon were to come to the conclusion
that the Belmont candidate Is Just the
proper size. They remember Mr..
Weems' efficient service on the stump
in West Virginia campaigns and are
his hearty well wlshers In anything he
goes after.
The following table shows the
changes In the ballotlng, and will be
continued through the convention: