Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-08
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
CHARLESTON, W. Va. February r.
The Senate and House acted upon the
contested seat cases to-day as forecasted
by the Register
In the upper branch of the Legislature
it was accomplished quietly. Members on
the majority side carefully concealed
their chagrin and voted as q unit for the
resolution declaring r. +. Kidd entitled
TO the seat from the Fourth district.
There was a funeral gloom in the cham
Der. The minority side carefully re-
Trained from any demonstration. Kidd
took the oath of office for the second
time during the session, and quietly
walked to his seat.
In the House the Dent resolution went
through by strict party vote, after
three hours Of oratoricd pyrotechnics.
Jake Fisher, chairman of the Elections
Committee sent UP the first rocket. 1t
was an exhaustive review of the case, and
a logical argument in support of the reso-
luton. Fisher was deservedly compll-
mented when he concluded. His speech
gives him rank among the ablest members
of the House. He laid down the propo-
sition that the ballots constituted the
erly safeguarded The burden of proof
that they were not SO nfeguarded rested
upon those who disputed their anthem
ITCHY. He exhibited one of the ballot
boxes, from Taylor county, with two pad
locks, and demonstrated conclusively that
there was not a scintalla OF evidence OF
fraud. Notwithstanding the committee had
examined all the witnesses offered by tho
Republicans. de asserted that the minor
ity members of the committee had
acquiesced in every ruling during the re-
count, and he challenged contradiction.
Mr.. Oldheld Republican,, who followed
him, described at considerable length the
location of the Taylor Court House. and
its proximity to the residence of Hon.
John T. McGraw, upon whom he made
an uncalled for attack. but wanted to be
understood as making no direct charges.
THE occupant of next door," he said.
raises a suspicion that the windows OF
the clerks office might have been raised.
This neighbor was presumed to be
friendly to such an enterprise. All that
stood between him and a Democratic deli
egate from Taylor county was a ten cent
paddock" Given piece of steel and
file, he would guarantee to open one of
the locks in twenty-five minutes. True,
keys were in the possession of Republic
cans, but there are Republicans and
Republicans" The refusal of the COM
mittee to photograph the ballots, he al
legged to be a suspicious circumstance. Ho
charged that the committee went to Graf
ton. not to determine the case upon It's
merits, but to fix up an excuse for steal
ing Orchards seat. After a labored at
tempt to establish a probability of fraud,
he characterized the unseating of Brohard
as an outrage and an Infamous political
steal.
Mr. Mansfield CDemocraD,, who replied
to Oldheld, resented the charge that he
went to Grafton to bolster up cause al
ready determined. The committee went
to Grafton at the request Of Orchards
attorneys. The majority granted every
demand of the Republicans save the un-
reasonable requests. that they remain 10
photograph the ballots and hold another
election by afAdavits. The Republicans
had contended that the recount by the
commissioners in Taylor was fraudulent,
but not admit their error on that point.
They would make the same admission
with regard to the alleged tampering, If
it were possible to get at all the facts.
Mr.. Cutright's Republican, speech was
absolutely unique 1t was made up large
ly of a recital OF his own political career.
II was as irrevelant as his statement that
he bequeathed his night gown as a
political shroud for Wilson. after his de-
feat by Dayton. He presented an object
lesson in mathema tics on a large sheet
Of paper with two pages held aloft at
the clerks desk, and by means OF which
he showed the Taylor county steal as
clear as mud.
John w Davis CDemocraO closed the
debate for the Democratic side in clear
and forcible speech. one half Of which
was devoted to answering Republican in
terruptions, evidently intended 10 dis
concert him.
The Rev. Hughes GRepublicau) exercised
his fierce voice for twenty minutes, but
his ponderous tones presented no new
arguments.
The resolution to allow p r. Hood -
for services az clerk Of the House on the
opening day OF the session. was defeated.
half the Republicans voting against II.
Mr. Merrill offered a resolution protest.
ing against the seating Of Congressman
Roberts. Of Utah. which was tabled.
Considerable opposition developed
against a resolution granting the use 81
the hall for the legislative ball.
In the Senate. Anthony Smiths bin 70
suppress prize fighting, was rejected ~
an overwhelming majority.
II y ApL-T Z