Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12
WITHOUT BLOODSHED,
The Meeting Of the West Virginia
Legislature
BUT It WAS VERY LIVELY
The HiSh-Handed Proceeding Of the
Republicans.
THEY DEFIED PRECEDENT.
The Protests of the Democrats Were
Ignored-Thc Latter VIII Retsli-
ate--The situation ON the SENATOR
| shiD-Notcs.
THEY DEFIED PRECEDENT.

CHARLESTON, w. VA, January IL
Especial THE biennial session of the
West Virginia Legislature convened, Was
organized and adjourned to-day without
bloodshed. but the Republicans carried
out their programme OF high-hanied pro-
ceedings indicated in my dispatches Of
yesterday, the Senate having a Repubii-
can majority of eight organized, and adj
journed without particular incident. The
seating Of the two war senators was pro-
tested against, and the protest tabled. In
the House former Clerk Il. II. Hood de-
pubican) called that body to order, as
prescribed by law. lie called Byrd lin
Republlcan) TO the chair, as the Oldest
member from point of service. Accord.
Ing to precedent. he should have asked
Tom Davis OemocraD TO preside, as ht
is the oicest member in years The roll
OF membership, az made up by Secretary.
of-Stste Dawson (Republicam was pre-
sented and read. 1t contained tbs aames
OF Via, of Monroe county: Spencer, of
Roane and Brohard OF Taylor TALL Re-
publicans), who have no certificates OF
election and no right whatever TO tfeir
seats, it is claimed. The members were
Democrats protested against these three
Republicans being seated. The tcrApo-
rary Speaker ruled against them. ard
would not listen to any of the questions
of point of order or of privilege which
were raised.
EXCITEMENT RAN HIGH.
Excitement ran high and stormy
scene resulted The acting Speaker
ignored the Democrats entirely, although
they had a majority OF three, and after
the members were all sworn in they or
ganized the House. The ruling OF Tenn
porary-Speaker Hin 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 O. $. Mckinney Speaker
and w. +. r. Byrne Clerk, the House
adjourned until 10 O'clock tomorrow.
The Democrats will formulate plans OF
retaliation for unseating the three Re-
publicans who have no credentials The
Republican State officials have already
declared that If these men are unseated
the militia will be called out II necessary
10 keep them I'm their seats.
In the Senate o. S. Marshall was ch0-
sen President and John r. Harris Clerk
MANY SPECTATORS.
Several hundred spectators crowded tho
galleries and aisles Of the House to-day.
The events Of tomorrow promise 10 be
most exciting and interesting. The Re-
publican senators declare they will unseat
Il 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 senator's.
The senatorship struggle. Of course. Is the
prize i'm view, and the cause of this
desperate attempt of the Republicans 10
control the Joint assembly. The United
states Deputy Marshal and several depu-
ties. all Republican Federal ofice-holders,
We're conspicuous in the House to-day,
and their presence was not merely incl
dental. They were there with an object
IN View.
LOOKED IN.
Commissioner observation-disclosures y. b.
Scott looked In upon the Senate while IL
was being organized. and Hon. John t.
McGraw, the leading Democratic candi-
date for senator was on the floor OF tho
House, an interested spectator.
The sudden adjournment OF tho House
until tomorrow caused disappointment
and surprise 10 the spectators, who were
eager for the real battle. AZ present tho
Senate stands seventeen Republicans 10
nine Democrats, and the House thirty
seven Democrats 10 thirty-four Repub-
llcans. giving the Democrats majority
of five on joint ballot No one knows
how the majority will stand In twenty
four hours, nor what the outcome OF this
fight may be.