Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-01-22
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
Charleston, w. Va, January 21-Re-
publican managers who have under
taken the task of electing Scott to the
United States Senate are confronted
with the necessity of whipping all the
members of their party in the Legisla-
ture into line or unseating Democrats
and thereby making safe majority.
The first proposition presents obsta-
cles in the shape of recalcitrant mem
bers of the House of Delegates. The
second course is therefore the only one
open.
So intense is their partisanship that
many of the leading Republicans would
not hesitate to unseat Democratic Sen
ators by resolution if they dared. The
statement is qualified because of the
attitude of Whitaker. Fast, Marshall
and one other Senator on the majority
side who decline to be parties to the
revolutionary plan mapped out by
White and Dawson.
Fast is outspoken in his opposition
and because of that fact does not at
tend the meetings of the Senate COM
mittee on privileges and elections.
1t was expected that the Senate
would act upon the unseating resolu-
5 tions to-day. They were not taken up,
however. This proves that it is the in
tteption to unseat Democrats in the
/ Senate at the eleventh hour in the
hope that the House will not have
time to retaliate. There is no danger,
however, that the Democrats will be
outwitted in strategy.
In their desperation the Republicans
are weakening and are suggesting a
compromise course. They would de-
mand a majority of five on joint ballot
and might accept majority of three.
If the House committee finds that Dent
was legally elected in Taylor county
there will be no compromise which
would seat Brohard. In this contin-
gency, the Republicans will have a
majority of but one on joint ballot.
The Senate committee met this after
noon. Senator Kidd's seat, contested
by NJ P. Morris, was first taken up.
The committee decided to recount the
votes in Wood county. Senator Kidd
pointed out the fact that the ballots
could hardly arrive in Charleston be-
fore Monday. The Republican answer
startled him. He was informed that
the ballots would be in the hands Of
the committee within an hour.
This smacks very much of prejudg-
ing the case.
The ballots arrived on schedule time
and are now being counted. This work
will be continued on Sunday
Republicans made much over their
contention that there was no assur-
ance that the ballots had not been tam
pered with in Taylor county. They do
not admit that any suspicion could at
tack the delivery of Wood county bal
lots.
A Republican member of the State
Senate had talk over the long dis
lance phone to-day with Senator Elk
ins.
Elkins betrayed considerable anxiety
when he was assured of the gravity of
the situation. The talk ran something
like this:
Elkins: What is your majority?"
State Senator: AS the matter stands,
we have two and if Dent is seated we
have but one"
Elkins: Two is not enough. Can't
you unseat Kidd?"
State Senator: IF we do they will
unseat Spencer in the House and we
will have gained nothing"
Elkins: Really that's too bad"
State Senator: Senator, you would
better come down. We need your adj
vice and influence. It's a fight between
the parties now and not between two
Republicans.
Elkins: But l am afraid they might
use it against me two years hence"
State Senator: well, you know the
situation now. Will you come Mon
day."
Elkins: You and Dawson call me I'D
after supper and III give you my an
swer."
The second conversation over the
phone was not caught as there was no
leak" 1t is believed that Elkins will
be on the scene Monday.
The Senate committee discussed the
Getzepdanner and Pierson cases pend
ing the arrival of the Wood county ball
fots and adopted resolution declaring