Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-01

The first actual test of strength be-
tween the Republican and Democratic
forces in the Goebel-Taylor contest
ZANE to-day, and, by the admission of
the Republican leaders, proved a VIC
tory for Goebel.
The Democrats claim the result of
to-day's struggle as decisive, while
the Republicans, although freely adj
hitting a defeat, declare that they will
fight to the finish and have still strong
hopes of retaining Governor Taylor in
his seal.
The fight to-day came on the vote
of the House in the contest brought
by H. s.. Van Meter, of Fayette county,
for the seat heretofore held by Henry
s. Berry. Both sides realized that the
test Of real strength would be made
on this issue and every effort was
made to get out the largest possibly
vote. There were before the contest
So Democrats, including Speaker Trim
BILE, in the House and Al Republicans.
The latter claimed confidently last
night that they would be able tt swing
at least fifty votes. with excellent
chances of two or three additional. The
Democrats claimed to be certain of 90
votes. The vote in favor of Van Meter
was 81 to IS. Hays, Republican, and
6ledge, Democrat, were absent. Berry
had no vote because of his personal
interest in the COMETS. Speaker Trim
BILE did not vote.
AS soon as the session began, w. A.
Burkamp, chairman of the committee
which had heard the evidence in the
contest, rose to speak in behalf of the
adoption of the majority report, which
ne had presented yesterday.
Under special rules of the House,
adopted yesterday. each side was to
have not less than twenty nor more
than fifty minutes for argument, and
the member presenting a report to
have thirty minutes
To Speak for His Cause.
Mr.. Burkamp made an elaborate legal
argument IN support of Van Meter.
Representative Lafferty, of Harrison
county, rose to explain the vote he in
tended to cast. Mr.. Lafferty is a DEM
ocrat, and it was accordingly under
stood that if he felt called upon to ex-
plain anything, it was because he in
tended to side with MIR. Berry. He
was allowed the floor and said that it
had been reported that he was to vote
in defense of Mr.. Berry. He intend
ed, he said, to vote in defence of him
self and his ideas of what was proper.
81 just want to read a legal decis-
ion," said Mr.. Lafferty, producing a
pamphlet, which / am SURPRISED that
at least one side of this contest has
not brought into evidence. I don't
see how, after reading this decision,
any man can vote against Mr.. Berry"
A dozen Democrats we::a on their
feet with protests that inasmuch as
the main question was then before
the House, which was the adoption of
the minority report as a substitute
for that Of the majority, Mr. Lafferty
was out of order. The chair ruled
against Mr.. Laffcrty, wlo sat down
with the remark:
II only wanted 20 explain my vote,
but If the House don't want tn hear
m explanation, I don't care"
Mr.. Burkamp then rose to take the
thirty minutes allowed him under the
rules, as having presented the major
ity report. He announced that he
wished to divide his time with Rep
r%esentative SLACK. the House leader
of the Republican minority. The
speaker ruled that he could
Divide His Time with Nobody.
The rules providing that the member
presenting the report should have
thirty minutes, and that he should
have it.
Mr.. Slack asked in an excited tone
II the chair intended to choke off all
debate on the question.
1.-THE chair Is simply following out
the rules adopted by this House for
arguments in cases of contest" said
the Speaker.
docs the chair iCean to say" shout
ed Mr.. Burkamp, that when Q MEM
Der of this House has time allotted
10 MIN, lie CdAuDl ulNAuc ~ WIFI al
other member"
Ordinarily, no. replied the Speak
err, Sin this case, under the special
rules-yes."
Mr.. Burkamp then moved for a 6e-
bate of two hours, one hour being
given to each side. 1t was overruled
by the peaker.
Mr.. Slack moved a recess of thirty
minutes be taken.
The Speaker declared the motion
was intended to produce delay, saying
he would allow no such d~ilatory pro-
ceedings.
Mr.. Stacks motion saved the fate of
Mr.. Burkamp. The vote on the motion
to substitute the minority report in
favor of Mr.. Van Meter for the major
ity in favor of Mr.. Berry then pro-
ceeded.
The majority report as amended by
the minority report was then adopted
and Mr.. Van Meter was declared a
member of the House.
There was much wrath in the Repub-
1ican ranks over the failure of E. B..
Hays, Of Pulaski county, to vote. He
failed entirely to put in an appearance
at the State House and was seen at the
depot a few minutes before'a train ar
rived After that tha