Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-02-02
THE CAUCUS.

Intuitively feeling that a break Of
some kind was coming it was with an
air of feverish expectation that the
favored spectators present awaited the
action Of the caucus last even
| ing. But they were hardly pre-
pared for the whirlwind rush
with which the business in hand was
swept up. Assemblyman August
Zinn's name was the last in the roll-call
| Speaker Rays call than he jumped to
his feet, forestalling similar action on
| the part of the lieutenants of the other
candidates, and securing President
| Thayer's recognition, he announced
that he was authorized to withdraw
! Mr.. Stephenson's name and that the
narinette mans supporters were free
to vote as they wished. He proposed
voting for Mr.. Quarles. An enthusiast
| tic wave of applause went up from the
| Quarles camp. Senator McGilliVray in
behalf of Congressman BabcOck, AS
semblyman A. E. Williams for ex-Con-
! gresham Cook and Senator Hatton
for Judge Webb all made similar
speeches withdrawing the names of
their candidates and allowing the vot-
ers to cast their ballots where they felt
inclined. ITproarious demonstrations
followed each speaker which reached a
climax when Senator Hatton moved to
make the nomination Of Quarles unani-
nous. Mr. Mcleod seconded the mo-
ton and Senator Green asked that the
roll be called. Every member cast his
ballot for the Milwaukee man except
Assemblyman H. L. Daggett of Bear
Greek, who awoke a ripple of applause
by voting for Stephenson. At the con-
clusion of the ballot, however, he cast
his vote for Quarles. Every member
was present except Assemblymen
Dresser, Hughes and Orion. A love
feast followed the announcement of the
vote in which the members pranced
about, Rugged and congratulated one
another and sang the doXology and
patriotic songs. On motion Of Mr..
Zinn, a committee of five consisting Of
Assemblyman linn, Senator McGilli-
vray, Senator Hatton, Assemblyman
Williams and Senator Roehr was ap-I
pointed to bring Mr.. Quarles before
the caucus, Long" Jones then amend
ing the motion so as to include all the
candidates. While the committee was
absent the senate quartet rendered a
number of selections. On motion the
chamber was thrown open to the pub
lie and soon a surging crowd thronged
in and the singing of army songs was
in order Long" Jones, the Quarles
manager, received congratulations on
every hand, the newspaper men rushed
the messengers to the verge Of distrac- |
ton and the long distance telephones
in the buildings were soon being
pounded with congratulations to Sen
atOr SpOOner and Milwaukee friends Of
Quarles. One young lady declared as
she jumped up and down in her en-
thusiasm that she was so happy she
would like to hug every man present |
Soon the committee appeared with /
Messrs. Quarles and Babcock, they be- |
ing the only candidates to come before |
the caucus. Their appearance was +
the signal for a most hearty demon /
stration They mounted the platform |
with President Thayer who then in the |
briefest but complimentary words pre-
scented Mr.. QuarIes. The victor of the /
long struggle was consciously affected |
by the reception given him. He had |