The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-01-03
CHOSEN
SPEAKER
Elected on the Opening ofthe Penn
sylvania Legislature,
DEMOCRATS LOOKING FOR FUSION

Harrisburg. Jan. 3.-The caucus Of
the Republican mem bers-elect OF the
house Of Representatives last night was
an extremely harmonious affair. John
r. Farr, OF Lackawanna, was the
choice for speaker, his opponents being
Ward r, Bliss. Of Delaware, and George
NJ. Hosack. Of Allegheny. The names
OF 13O members were on the caucus roll,
and there were six absentees. The vote
on the speakership stood: Farr, IS;
Hosack, 25; Bliss, 8. The candidates
did not vote, and. acting upon tele-
graphic authority. the chairman cast
the vote of Mr.. Clark, OF Washington.
On motion Of Mr.. Bliss, seconded by
Mr.. Hosack, the nomination OF Mr.. Farr
was made unanimous. Mr.. Farr made
a brief speech. expressing his thanks
for the honor. Chief Clerk Jere b. Rex
Of Huntingdon, and Resident Clerk A
D. Fetterolf. OF Montgomery, were
unanimously reelected. and a slate
committee Of 30 was named to select
the minor officials. The Republican
nominees were promptly elected on the
organization Of the house today.
Mr.. Bliss offered two resolutions de-
signed to expedite the work Of the leg
islature. They were adopted unani-
monsly. The first resolution favors
adjournment not later than Thursday
April 20, and the second urges that the
appropriation committee Of the house
shall report the general appropriation
bill to that body on or before March
Is, and that notice shall be given to
every institution soliciting state aid
that the appropriation bills I'm their be-
half must be presented to the legisla-
ture not later than the date named.
A caucus of the Democratic members
OF the house Of representatives was
held last evening in the supreme court
chamber. A resolution was adopted
that the nominees for speaker chief
clerk and resident clerk accept the
nominations with the understanding
that the same be subjected TO any
changes or substitutions hereafter
made by the caucus in arranging a
fusion. William L. Greasy. OF Column
bla, was the unanimous choice OF the
caucus for speaker. Ralph r.. Shaner,
of Pottstown, was nominated for chief
clerk; George NJ. Wambaugh. of Har-
risburg. for resident clerk, and Peter j.
Hughes, Of Philadelphia, for reading
clerk. The a.rman, Mr. Dixon, of
Elk, was directed to confer with the
chairman Of the senate Democratic
caucus with reference to selecting the
time and place of holding a joint eau
Gus of the senate and house for the
nomination Of a candidate for United
States senator.
Mr. Hasson, of Venango offered a
resolution, which was adopted, that a
committee be appointed to confer with
a committee representing the inde-
pendent epubliCans-should they ap-
point such a committee-to arrange
for fusion on the organization Of the
house. Mr. Skinner, of Fulton, said the
Independent Republicans had not pro-
duced sufficient votes to make a sue
! cessFul fusion and that he was not in
favor Of the resolution
Several other members urged the
| adoption Of the resolution on the ground
that they owed their elections largely
to the assistance they had received from
the independent Republicans. Mr..
Skinner finally withdrew his opposition
and the resolution was adopted. Messrs.
Skinner, Hasson, Foster, Greasy and
Dixon were appointed as the COM
mittee.
The conference of the Republican
members Of the senate was also held
| der, of Chester, was unanimously noml-
mated for president pro tenn. Edward
| w. Smiley, Of Venango. was nominated
| for chief clerk; ]. Allen Leeds, of Phil
| adelphia. for reading clerk; John H
! Rhey. Of Carlisle for reading clerk. and
| Samuel b. Cochrane, of Kittanning, fol
| sergeant at arms.
The Democratic senators held their
In a arerff In, he
| capitol Harvey w. Haines, of York
was nominated for president pro tenn.
and on today's organization received the
| complimentary vote of the Democratic
senators.
| The fight for the United States sena-
! torship depends largely upon the time
| of holding the joint Republican caucus
| Senator Quay's friends have fixed the
meeting for this evening, and II a ma
| Jority Of the Republican legislators at,
/ tend his nomination is assured. His
| managers predict that the caucus will
| be held at the appointed time, and that
| there is no question If his success The
/ opposition are just az confident that
| there will be a postponement until ar.
| ter the supreme court disposes of tbs
criminal charges against Quay growing
out of the failure of the Peoples bank
of Philadelphia If they can brine
about a postponement they believe
! Quay cannot be reelected.
Senator Quay spent a very busy day
yesterday directing his canvass from
the residence Of ex-senator j. Donalt
| Cameron, who came all the way from
| England to help his former colleague
Senator Boies Penrose, Congressman
Bingham and other members Of tn,
Pennsylvania delegation in congress ar,
on the ground in Quay's interests. \
street demonstration was held las
night by the Quay people.
Senators Martin, Magee and othe
leaders presumably opposed TO Quay
reelection are expected to have a con
ference to determine on line of polio
relative to the senatorial caucus. !
they stay away from the meeting tn
Quay people are fearful they canno
muster enough votes 10 make a noml
nation. Ex-Postmaster General Joh
Wanamaker is leading the movemer
for a postponement of the caucus
Members OF the Business Mems Leagu
from over the state are here helpin
Mr.. Wanamaker.