The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-25
REPUBLICAN SENATE CAUCUS


Bennett, Of New York, Named for
Secretary; Daniel N. Ramsdsll, Of
Indiana, for sergeant-at-Arms.
Statement From Mr. olarkson.
WASHINGTON D. C., Jan. 24.-The
Republican caucus of the senate to-day
decided definitely upon the reorganiza-
ton of the elective offices Of that body
and nominated Hon. Charles Bennett, OF
New York. for secretary, to succeed
Hon. William R. Cox and Hon. Daniel
NJ. Rramsdeii, of Indiana,for sergeant
alarms. to succeed Colonel n. j.
Bright. For orsergeant- alarms. dr. Rams
dell was placed in nomination by sena-
tor Fairbanks. Senator Allison named
Mr.. Alonzo H. Stewart, OF Iowa, pres
est assistant door-keeperof the senate.
Seantor Foster nominated Mr. A. n.
Shaw and both Senators GaIllnger and
Chandler made an appeal for Captain
G. A. Curtice, of New Hampshire. on
the firstsballot Mr.. Shaw received one
vote, Mr.. curtice five. Mr.. Stewart elgt-
teen, and Mr.. Ramsdell twenty. The
second ballot resulted, twenty-four for
Ramsdell. and twenty for Stewart.
Some feeling was manifested over the
election of secretary, caused by the
circulation of reports concerning Hon.
j. s. Clarkson, who was Mr.. Bennett's
only competitor, which his friends con-
sidered uncomplimentary and untrue.
These reports were resented by his
supporters, including Senators Mason,
Galllnger, Carter. Scott and others.
who had known Mr.. Clarkson as an Of
ficer of the Republican national COM
mittee. A letter and telegram from
Mr.. Clarkson were read, declining the
place. but some of the senator's declar-
ed their Intention of voting for him, re.
gardless Of this. The first vote was a
tie, resulting 81 to 2l. The second ballot
brought out three votes not hitherto
cast and resulted % for Bennett, and
% for Clarkson. Mr.. Bennett was
placed>in nomination by Senator Platt.
OF New York. No selection was made
for chaplain, which will have the ef-
feet of continuing the blind chaplain,
wnliam II. Mtiburn, in that once. Al
lotment of minor officers was placed IN
the hands of the caucus committee.
Mr.. Clarkson authorized the follow
Ing statement concerning the connec-
tion OF his name with the secrctaryship
OF the senate:
81 never have been candidate for
secretary of the senate, nor responsl-
bile for the use OF my name in conncc-
tion with it. never heard Of II, and
never had thought of that or any ofIicc
at this time, until in the latter part Of
February last Vice President Hobart
called me into his room at the capitol
and, telling me he had peasant SUR
prise for me. showed me an invitation
in writing, signed by some forty Of the
hfty-four Republican enators--invIting
me to be secretary. Naturally surprIs-
ed and overwhelmed by the kindness
and grace of such an unusual OFFER. I
was yet compelled to say that, as /
knew go little about the office rendered
me $50 far as such strong majority Of
the Republican senators could tender
~ and as 1t came 80 suddenly while 1
was under business engagements, I
would have to decline It IL my answer
was required then. In day or two It
was decided there would be no extra
session. and then Mr.. Hobart urged mo
to take It under advlsement. which /
did. Later, and after he came from the
south in the spring, he told me he had
received enough more SiEncrs in writ
ing to the paper, or In letters, to mako
over four-tittha of the Republican Gen-
ators and n majority Of the senate it.
self, said then, that IL in the fall It
should be found that there was no OBJ
lection on the part of any senators. !
would probably accept.