Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-11
Special to the Register.

The first big fight of the Legislature is
over. Both parties held their caucuses
tonight, and afterwaTd there were
secret conferences at which the plan
of action to be followed in both
branches tomorrow was determined.
1t has been definitely settled that
Col. T. B. Davis will lead the Demo-
cratic forces in the organization of
the House of Delegates. A nice legal
point relative to the Interpretation of
the law specifying the proper person
to call the House to order has been
the subject of considerable contention.
The statute states it to be the duty of
the oldest member" Republicans in
terpret this to mean oldest in point
of service and the Democrats Oldest in
years. The Democrats have conceded
the point, however, and the body VIII
be called to order by Byrd Hill, of
Monroe, who is now entering upon his
/, third consecutive term.
The Democratic members of the Sen
ate met at the Ruffner in the afternoon,
and after an informal discussion of
the situation adjourned until to-mor-
row morning without making any
nominations. A committee was APP
pointed to confer with prominent DEM
ocratic attorneys concerning a resolu-
ton which will be introduced from
the minority side.
The first fight on the Democratic
side was over the clerkship of the
House. 1t reached such a stage that
the rival candidates were asked to eff
feet a compromise in the interests of
I. harmony, in which Col. Peyton and
Mr.. Neal readily acquiesced. VIII T..
r.. Byrne, formerly of Braxton, now a
citizen of Charleston, received the
nomination by reclamation. He has
been assistant clerk of the House and
clerk of the Senate and is thoroughly
competent, besides being one of the
ablest parliamentarians in the State.
1t is understood that Col. Peyton and
Mr.. Neal are each to name three clerks,
and it is altogether likely that both
will accept clerkships themselves.
The defeat of Col. Bob Carr for
sergeant at arms was surprise.
w. L. Mansfield, of Wayne, called
the
DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CAUCUS
to order and named Major Bennett, of
Huntington, for temporary chairman.
Mr.. Mansfield was made secretary. A
motion to go into executive session was
lost, and the announcement of the vote
was received with applause.
The roll call showed all the Demo-
crat members to be present. motion
to take up nominations for Speaker,
clerk, sergeant-at-arms and doorkeeper
in the order named was adopted. The
clerk proceeded with the roll of coun-
ties. When Marion was reached Mr..
Kirst nominated o. S. Mckinney Mr..
l.. M. Stephens, of Wetzel, seconded
Mr. McKinneys nomination, and NOV
ed that the nomination be made by &C
clamation. Mr.. Mckinney made a
neat speech of thanks.
Mr.. Mansfield arose and made the
announcement that there would be no
contest for clerk. He made an appeal
for party harmony and closed an ex-
cellent address by stating that both
Peyton and Neal had withdrawn. He
who was unanimously selected
On the roll call for nominations for
sergeant at arms, Mr.. Bowman. OF
Barbour, in very neat and forcible
speech, named Col. Bob Carr, of
Kanawha.
Mr.. Stephens placed in nomination
Robert T. McNichol of Wheeling, stat
ing that the first congressional district
asked no other position from the Demo-
Gratis of the house. Mr.. Crook, of
Lewis, named E. H. Morton, OF Webs
has been citizen of Kanawha county
for two years, and should be charged
to that county A motion to vote by
secret ballot was carried. The first
ballot resulted: Morton, %; Carr, 10;
McNichol, T.
DR.. H. Lon Carney, of Boone, named
F. Marion Vickers. of the same coun-
ty. Mr.. O'Brien, of Writ, named Shir-
ley Mitchell, and Col. j. Ed Russell.
of Elkins. was offered by Mr.. Wagner.
of Tucker. The result of the first ball
lot follows: Vickers II, Mitchell u.
Russell 10. On the third ballot
Mitchell was elected, receiving 10 votes,
Vickers II, Russell /.
The caucus then adjourned sine die.
The caucus of the Republican mem
ers of the House was held in the SEN
Y chamber, and the empty honors
V distributed as follows:
peaker. w. B. Outright, of Upshur,
$50 - -