Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-23
AS VIEWED ON THE SPOT.
Special to the Register.


Charleston, w. Va, January 21.-The
developments during the past few days
furnish convincing proof that the Re-
publlcans are apprehensive that their
majority on joint ballot will be INSULT
Client when it ONE to voting for
United States Senator. 1t is not likely,
considering the time consumed in the
Taylor county case, that the House
Committee on Privileges and Elections
Will reach a decision in the Monroe
county case before that time. If the
House seats Dent, from Taylor county,
the Democratic majority in that body
Will be seven. A majority of one on
joint ballot would not suit the purposes
+ OF A. B. White and those who obey
his behests. Even if the Republican
members were kept in line, the votes Of
the war Senator's" Getzendanner and
flerson, would be necessary to elect
Scott. The United States Senate has
established a precedent which would
have to be ignored in seating Scott, if
ne were elected with these two votes.
Hence the remarkable partisan pro-
ceedings in the State Senate yesterday
ard to-day. What the early DAYS Gf
the coming week will reveal is a matter
which will only then be determined.
That the situation is very grave, none
will deny. That it reflects no credit
upon the State of West Virginia, is a
fact in%disputed.
A. B. White, who regards the caucus
nomination of Scott as a personal VIC
tory, will leave no stone unturned to
the n that the nomination is ratified
nv tho on,,H1io0 49, -. H. T
In an unpublished interview, he states
that If the Democrats in the House
adopt retaliatory measures, he will I'M
fold a scheme which will bring con-
sternation to the Democratic camp.
White is a thirty-third degree buffer.
He is prone to boast of what he has &C
complished in that direction. When
the Democrats conceded the right of
Byrd Hill CRep.) the Oldest member in
point OF service, to temporarily preside
in the House of Delegates, he took unto
himself all the credit. He ascribed the
victory" to the Democratic fear which
was manifested after he made his in
cendlary speech on the Monday night
preceding the opening of the session.
Democrats believe that White has
promised to do certain things, but they
are also firmly convinced that he can
not deliver the goods.
There is nue. talk of a rump House, to
be organized in the event of retaliatory
measures by the Democrats. These re-
ports have evidently been circulated for a
purpose, but thinking persons do not take
them seriously. Democrats are unable to
figure out how the Republicans could Sc
cure a quorum in order to Gust the Demo-
cratic members.
Underneath all these sensational pro-
ceedings and more sensational rumors,
there is a clearly defined sentiment favor
able to elections of United States Sena-
tors by direct vote of the people, When
the situation ceases to be a topic for dis
cussion in the groups of men in the hotel
lobbies and corridors of the capitol, many
arguments are offered in support of an
amended constitution of the United
States. One of the most potent argu-
mentS is that it is much easier to corrupt
a Legislature than the masses of the vot-
ers. The intimation that a bill would be
presented during the session, to provide
for burning the ballots after being count
ed by the Boards of Canvassers also met
with much favor.
The Republican light for the Senatorial
caucus nomination proved the party
regard for Judge Nathan Golf. No per-
son will attempt to disprove the assertion
that if Golf had entered the race, it would
have been a walkover for him. His posi-
ton was defined long ago. He was not a
candidate. When his name was heard so
frequently that Scott and Atkinson be-
came alarmed, he wrote a letter in which
he stated fhaH ha uyOi11d not oooop+ The
nomination if it were rendered to him.
In spite of these facts five members of the
Legislature went ipto the Republican eau
Gus and voted for him on every ballot. If
the anti-Elkins wing of the Republican
party in this State can induce Golf to en-
ter the Senatorial race in 1901, they will
feel more than recompensed for their
work against Scott.