Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-01-19
1T WAS NIP AND TUCK
Between West virginia Democratic
and Republican Lawmakers.

/
i Charleston, W. Va, Jan. 12.-The
biennial session of the West Virginia
Legislature convened, was organized,
and adjourned today without blood
shed, but the Republicans carried out
their program of highhanded pro-
ceedings indicated in the dispatches Of
yesterday, the Senate having Repub-
lican majority of eight, organized, and
adjourned without particular Incident.
The seating CT the two war senators
was protested against, and the protest
tabled.
In the House former Clerk E. +.
Hood, Republican. called that body to
order, as prescribed l'y law. IL c-lied
| Byrd Hill, Republican,, to the chair, as
the oldest member from point OF Ser
vice. According to precedent, he
should have asked Tom Davis, Demo
crat, to preside, as he is the Oldest
member in years. The roll of member
ship, as made up by Secretary of State
Dawson. Republican, was presented
and read. 1t contained the names of
Via, of Monroe county; Spencer, Of
Roane, and Brohard, of Tay lor, all
Republicans, who have no certificates
of election and no right whatever to
their seats, it is claimed. The mem
bers were called forward to be sworn
in, and the Democrats protested against
these three Republicans being seated.
The temporary Speaker ruled against
them and would not listen to any of
the questions of point of order or of
privilege whi ch were raised.
EXCITEMENT RAN HIGH.
Excitement ran high and stormy
scene resulted The acting Speaker
ignored the Democrats entirely, al
though they had majority of three,
and after the members were all sworn
in they organized the House. The
ruling of Temporary Speaker Hill was
more arbitrary and autocratic than
that of Car Reed in the House of
Representatives in his best days. AS
soon as the officers were elected, with
0. S. Mckinney, Speaker. and w. E.
R. Byrne, Clerk. the House adjourned
until 10 O'Clock tomorrow.
The Democrats will formulate plans
of retaliation for unseating the three
Republicans who have no credentials.
The Republican State officials have al
ready declared that if these men are
unseate the militia will be called out
if necessary to keep them in their
seats.
In lbe Senate 0. S. Marshall was
chosen Pre- esident, and John T. Harris,
Clerk.
MANY SPECTATORS.
Several hundred spectators crowded
tie galleries and aisles CT the House
today. The events of tomorrow prom
ise to be most exciting and interest
ing. The Republican senator's declare
they will unseat Democrat in their
branch for every Republican unseated
in the House. The Democrats could
win out at this game, for there are
more Republican members of the
House than Democratic senators. The
senatorship struggle, of course, is the
prize in view, and the cause of this |
desperate attempt of the Republicans
to control the joint assembly. The
United States Deputy Marshal and
several deputies, all Republican Fed
eral officeholders, were conspicuous in |
the House today, and their presence
was not merely incidental. They |
were there with an object in view.
LOOKED IN.
Commissioner Of Internal Revenue
N. B. Scott looked in upon the Senate
while it was being organized, and
Hon. John T. McGraw. the leading
Democratic candidate for senator, was
on the floor of the House. an intereste d
spectator.
The sudden adjournment of the
House until tomorrow caused disap-
pointment and surprise to the specta-
tors, who we're eager for the real bat
tie At present the Senate stands
seventeen Republicans to nine Demo
Gratis, and the House thirty seven
Democrats to thirty-four Republicans,
giving the Republican a majority of
five on joint ballot. No one knows
how the majority will stand in twenty
four hours, nor what the outcome OF
thisig lit may be.