The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-01-13

ieScHttu Oy an attorney. THIS created
an issue which precipiated q debate
between the brilliant young J.. W. Dav.
Is, Democrat, OF Clarksburg, who dis.
cussed at length the technical and con.
Stitutlonal points involved. Major E. A.
Bennet. Democrat, and delegates Martin
Republican. OF kanawha. Outright. Re.
publican. and Oldheld. OF Mcdowell, Re.
publican. ManY points ot order were
raised, calling FOR skilifui and quick de.
cislons from Speaker Mckinney, wig
In the absence OF house rules, (the or
.ganizatloD not being completely. was
obliged to apply general parliamentary
rules. This gave rise 10 nm amusing cp-
isode much to the entertainment Of ey-
errDoiy. and great dea! o. good hI-
mored Joking at the expense OF leader
Outright on the Republican side. When
the latter asked the speaker where he
got the authority for his decisions Nc
Kinney held up his manual. and an
Hourced that II was Speaker Thomas B.
Reeds manual Of parliamentary tao
tics. ]
The Democratic Programme.
In the Monroe case the Democrats
carried their point with the Republican
amendE&n,s as Is detailed In the rou-
tine report. 1t was n warm fight from
beginning 20 end, and the Democratic
majority OF three carried every point.
Among matters forced by the majority
was the reading of the papers filed in
the case with Secretary Dawson, In
which he certified Via as entitled to the
seat, against Republican protects.
I review these circumstances to show
how completely, the Democratic pro>
gramme TO unseat Via. OF Monroe. and
Brohord. Of Taylor county, was carried
out In It's first stage. In the afternoon
the Identical procedure was adopted
with reference to the Taylor county
case and the Story OF .he morning was
repeated with. few variations. This Is
the first chapter Of the struggle for. su-
preniacS. The first day was wasted o.,
n matter which might have been settled
In one-hatf the time. The sole issue was
whether 1 Democratic effort 70 have a
summary Investigation By a special
committee created by q resolution pre-
judging the cases in its preamble or a
Republican resolution which would give
all power 10 try to case fairly into the
hands of the COMMITTEES. The consump-
ton of time was due to too much Iati-
tude covered by the debators. SO much
so thnt the speaker was Obliged 10 re-
strict them to the case In point. And
SO the situation stands.
The two disputed cases which have
been the principal bone Of contention, IL
decided in favor OF the Democrats. ..wl,l
narrow the Republican majority oU
Joint ballot down to three.
Democratic Senators: Nervous.
In the senate the Democrats fled
2tbeirSprotcstss agairst<th seating o.
Getzendanner and plerson, the two
"war senator's" The case was dispos-
cd Of By referring the matter to the
committee on privileges and elections,
when 1t shall be appointed. In this
connection one or two Democratic SEN
ators are rather nervous as to their
prospects for holding their seats, and
are bringing pressure 10 bear on thcl-
brethren in the house not TO 60 too far
In the matter of unseattng delegates.
For :his reason It Is quite likelw that
the Republicans are not only not likely
to have their majority OF Joint ballot
further reduced. but will In all prooa :
bility retain their five majority.
II Is freely conceded By the Demo-
Gratis that the Republicans viii elcSS%
the United States senator. and they are
growing to be quite as much Interested
In whom he will be as the Republicans
are. ThS McGraw men are keeplnr
pretty well In line. hot the opposition IS
quietly getting in Its work. and It Is
possible that the Democratic caucus
will be anything but harmonious,
Whether McGraw sees IL chance in the
present or not. he certainly Is trimming
his sails for full control oc the Demo-
cratic situation two years hence. and
hold the prestige which his skillrul
management has won him AT present,
But neither Colonel McGraw nor ana.
other Democrat will br elected a SEM.
tor this year.
Republican Caucus.
The Republican caucus has not vet
been called. but the call. which de.
scrlbed In yesterdays dispatches, Is IN
circulation and being signed. Due an.
aouncemeat may be made Tomorrow OR
saturday. The special committee on
privileges and elections appointed BY
Speaker Mckinney TO pass on the con
tested election cases from Monroe .and
Taylor counties was called 10 meet this
evening
1t was announced by q Democratic
MEMBER that the proposal wns to have n
report on the cases ready by Tomorrow
morning. This would seem almost i'm
possible. considering the fact that there
are points involved that learned law
yers and courts took days to consider
II the cases should he rushed through,
4 decision on matters so itnnortn nj
would be suspicious. at least, But thot
is hardly probable The three Renuh.
licans, one OF whom is our s,urlx i,rht-
er. Harry Mcclure. on the commi.teo
may be trusted 10 protest against
everything which has not the element
OF fairness. The committee is made mn
OF admittedly good men, however. ana
the Democratic member who made thls
announcement may not have realized
the importance aad the magnitude OF
the work involving so many points az
law and such vital issues. to say moth
ing of the creation of important prece-
dents.
CFor routine proceedings of leg,sla-
ture. see sixth page.)
G. A. D.