The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-28


Taking of the Vote, That as This
Case Went So Would Likely Go
the Vote on the Seating of GOebeI
as GOvernor-Exciting Scenes I'm
the Legislature.
FRANKFORT, Ky, Jan. H-The first
actual test of strength between the Re
publican and Democratic forces In the
Goehel-Taylor contest came today, aud,
by the admission Of the Republican lead
ers, proved a victory for Goebel. The
Democrats claim the result of today's
struggle as decisive, while the Repub-
licans, although freely admitting de-
feat declare that they will fight to the
finish, and have still strong hopes Of re-
tanning Gov. Taylor in his seat
The fight today came on the vote of the
house in the contest brought by H. -
Van Meter, of Fayette county, for the
seat heretofore held by Henry 8. Berry
Both sides realized that the test of real
strength would be made on this issue,
and every effort was made to get out tbs
largest possible vote. There were before
the contest So Democrats, including
Speaker Trimble, in the house, and Al
Republicans The latter claimed conf
IDENTIFY last night that they would be able
to swing at least fifty votes, with ex>
cellent chances of two or three addition
al. The Democrats claimed to be certain
of 81 votes. The vote in favor of-Van
Meter was 81 to 45. Hays, Republican,
and Sledge, Democrat, were absent.
Berry had no vote, because of his person
al interest in the contest. Speaker Trim
BILE did not vote.
DEBATE BEGINS.
AS soon as the session began w. A.
Burkamp, chairman of the committee
which had heard the evidence in the con-
test, rose to speak in behalf Of the adopa
ton of the majority report, which he mad
presented yesterday. Under special rules
of the house, adopted yesterday. each
SIDE was tc have not less than twenty
nor more than fifty minutes for arsu-
| ment, and the member presenting re-
port to have thirty minutes to speak for
! his cause.
Mr.. Burkamp made an elaborate legal
argument in support OF Mr.. Berry, and
when he had consumed his time, Repre-
sentative G. A. Holland spoke the full
fifty minutes in behalf of Van Meter.
He was stopped by the speaker. his time
having expired.
Representative Lafferty, of Harrison
county, rose to explain the vote he IN
tended to cast Mr. Lafferty is a Demo-
crat, and it was accordingly understood
| that If felt called upon to explain any
| thing it was because he intended to side
with Mr.. Berry. He was allowed the
floor, and said that it had been. reported
he was to vote in defense Of Mr.. Berry
He intended, he said, to vote in defense
! of himself and his ideas Of what was
proper. =,
al lust want to read legal decision
said Mr.. Lafferty, producing pamph-
| let, which am surprised that at least
one side Of this contest has not brouSht
into evidence. 1 don't see how, after
| reading this decision, any man can vote
against Mr.. Berry"
MR.. LAFFERTY SILENCED.
! A dozen Democrats were OF, their feet
with protests that inasmuch as the
main question was then before the house,
which was the adoption of the minority
report as q substitute for that OF the
majority, Mr.. Lafferty was out of or
! der.
The chair ruled against Mr.. Lafferty,
who sat down with the remark:
81 only wanted to explain my vote, out
! If the house don't want to hear my tx
PLANTATION, I don't care"
Mr.. Burkamp Their rose to take his
thirty minutes allowed to him under the
rules as having presented the majority
report. He announced that he wished
| hi iyna REPRESENTATIVE
Slack. the house leader of the Republican
minority.
The speaker ruled that he could divide
his time with nobody, the rules providing
that the members presenting the report
should have thirty minutes and that only
he should have it.
Mr.. Slack asked III excited tones If the
chair intended to choke off all debate on
the question.
rules adopted by this house for argu-
ments In cases of contest, said the
speaker.
Does the chair mean to say shouted
Mr.. Burkamp, that when member OF
this house has time allotted to him NE
cannot divide it with another mem
ber?''
Ordinarily, no." replied the speaker
"In this case, under the special rules
yes
of two hours one hour being given tt
each side, 1t was overruled by the
speaker.
Mr.. Slack moved a recess Of thirty
minutes be taken.
The speaker declared the motion wa:
intended to produce delay, saying ~
would allow no such dilatory proceed
ings.
VOTING ON REPORTS.
MIR. Stacks motion saved the rate o.
Mr.. Burkamp. The vote on the motloi
to substitute the minority report In IA
1 yor of MI. Van Meter for the major
ity report III favor of Mr. Berry. ther
proceeded. AS the call PROCEEDED nepie
sentative Baird, who was considered
doubtful by both sides, declined to vote
cochran was the first Democrat to vote
for Berry, Egbert followed him, ther
came order. Lafferty, Orr, Hinton anf
Willingham When the call was hnlsne(
Tho vote was 46 to 46, several member!
present not voting.
Egbert changed his vote, making II y
10 As in favor of Van Meter. on the cal
for absentees, Baird sided with van we
ter. Democratic cheers greeting him as
he announced his vote. Some Democrat:
who did not respond to roll call voted FOL
the minority report, and the clerk an
nounced the total oil to 10.
The majority report, as amended by the
minority report was then ADOPTED ane
Mr. Van Meter was declared membal
of the house.
There was much wrath among the Re,
nnhlican ranks over the failure of e. F
Hayes, of Pulaski county, to vote. lie
failed entirely to put in an appearances
at the state house, and was seen at ths
depot few minutes before train ar
,.-.a e.. the RenullicauS saw