Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-12

Special to the Register.
Charleston, w. Va, January lin
the organization of the two branches OF
the Legislature to-day, both sides were
compelled to partially disclose their
plans.
Contrary to popular impression, this
was not the crucial day.. In anticipa-
ton Oh developments of sensational
character, there was a large crowd in
the lobby of the House, but everything
passed off in good order, although there
was hidden significance in every move
ment.
John w. Davis. of Harrison, ably
conducted the fight upon the Democrat
ic side, and w. B. Outright handled the
case for the minority.
Early in the proceedings it was evid-
ent that the Democrats were making an
important concession in agreeing to
permit r. D. Hill to be temporarily
president over the House. His rulings
were arbitrarily made. and from the
standpoint of parliamentary law he was
merely partisan automaton.
Contrary to~precedent, the Secretary
of State presented roll of the mem
companied by the certificates of cleo
ton, which constitute prima facie title
to a seat upon the floor.
The certificate of Mr. Via, who was
l1oI
ed for the very good and sufficient rea-
son that no such document is in exist
ence.
The Republican scheme as developed
in the proceedings, was very f1imsy.
When the name of R. B. Ash, of Mar
ion, was called, there was an objection
from the Republican side on the ground
that Mr.. Ash is major in the National
Guard. An objection from the same
source was made to B. P. Shumate, of
Summers, on the ground that he is
postmaster at Pipestem. Both were
overruled by Mr. Hill for the purpose,
which was plainly apparent, of
FURNISHING A PRECEDENT
for a similar course when protests were
offered on the Democratic side against
Brohard and VIA
Mr.. Ash's position is not a lucrative
one, and Mr.. Shumate hasn't been post
master at Pipestem since election day
These facts were not important to
party bent on accomplishing it's pur-
poses by fair means or foul, but they
furnish evidence of the desperate
straits in which the Republicans found
themselves in their efforts to anticipate
Democrats action.
Mr. Davis protested against Brohard
and Via being sworn in, protested again
when they voted on the organization
of the House. and in each instance ask
ed that his protest be made a part of
the record
After the organization was completed
Major Bennett moved to appoint COM
mittee to notify the Senate that it was
ready to proceed to business. This
was later withdrawn, and that message
will not be sent until the House is pro-
perly constituted.
Action of the Senate in adjourning
until this afternoon is a scheme to
await developments in the House, when
the Republicans may or may not act
in accordance with their motto ''An
eye for an eye and tooth for tooth"
A. B. White has been severely crit
icized by Democrats and decent Re
publicans for his incendiary utterances
in Mondays conference. The Repub-
lican leaders have given formal notice
that they will unseat a Democrat in
the Senate for every Republican I'M
seated in the House, without regard
to the merits of any of the contests in
volved.
have mapped out course which con-
templates fairness in every movement
and in which force does not figure at
ALL
When the House of Delegates con-
venes tomorrow morning the first
matter to come up will be the deter
mination of
PRIMA FACIA TITLES
to delegates from Taylor and Monroe
counties. A resolution will be intro
duced which will provide for an in
yestigation of the roll of members
prepared by Secretary of State Dawson
and asking for the certificates of cleo
ton of Messrs. Via and Brohard. These
will not be produced. Then J. D. Lo-
gan will present certificate of cleo
ton in Monroe county and he will
probably be sworn in as member.
In the Taylor county case it will be
ascertained that neither Mr.. Brohard
nor Mr.. Dent has certificate signed
by a majority of members of the county
court
This matter will be Immediately re-