The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-28
HDEBEI|1ES ARE ON TOP.
WIN IN TEST VOTE IN KENTUCKY
LEGIsI.ATURE.
Unseat . Republican Member, Only n
Few Democrats voting AEainst
the Arbitrary Action Of the Party
sure Majority I'm the House.

FRANKFURT, n.y., Jan. St. ho nlSs
actual test OF strength between the Re-
publican and Democratic forces In the
Goebel-Taylor contest came today. and,
by the admission of the Republican lead
ers. proved a victory Tor Goebei. Inc
Democrats claim the result OF todays
struggle as decisive, while the Repub-
leans. although freely admitting defeat.
declare that they will fight to the finish
and have still strong hopes OF retaining
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 the test of real
strength would be made on this issue, and
every effort was made to get out the
largest possible vote. The vote In favor
OF Van Meter was fifty-one to forty-five.
Hayes Rep) and Sledge Dem) were alb
sent. Berry had no vote because or his
personal interest In the contest. Speaker
Trimble did not vote.
The matter came to a vote on the Ques-
ton Of the adoption Of one Of two reports
from the committee on the contest. The
Republicans being in the majority on the
committee, presented a majority report in
favor of Berry. The one Democratic MEM
Der Of the committe submitted minority
report in favor of the seating Of Van
Meter.
The decision Of the house was reached
upon a motion to substitute the minority
report in favor of Mr.. Van Meter for the
majority report in favor of Mr.. Berry. As
the call proceeded, Representative Baird.
who was considered doubtful by both sides.
declined to vote. Cochran was the first
Democrat to vote for Berry, Egbert fol-
lowed him, then came Girder, Lafferty.
Orr. Hilton and Willingham When the
call was finished the vote was forty-six
to forty-six, several members present not
voting.
Egbert changed his vote, making it
forty-seven to forty-six In favor of Van
Meter. On the call for absentees,. Baird
sided with Van Meter. Democratic cheers
greeting him as he announced his vote.
Three more Democrats who had not re-
Sponded to the roll call voted for the mi
nority report, and the clerk announced
the total fifty-one to forty-hve. The ma
jority report, as amended by the minority
report, was then adopted. and then Mr..
Van Meter was declared a member OF the
house.
There was much wrath In the Republic
can ranks over the failure of E. r. Hayes,
Of Pulaski county, to vote. He failed to
put in an appearance at the state house
ana was seen at the depot few minutes
before train left. After that the Repub-
licans saw him no more, nor could the
members Of the campaign committee To-
cate him. although they spent the after
noon in the search :.
Adjt. Gen. Collier hurriedly impressed an
engine on the Louisville & Nashville, and
made a flying trip to Lexington in the
effort to find Hayes and bring him back.
On reaching Lexington he was informed
that Hayes had gone. He. wass cQmpalied
to return without his nnk1sxEg&<1 assi go
E. G. sebree. the Republican campaign
manager. declared last night that the vote
on the contest today was a crucial test
n nd sale
fdent of at least fifty votes for Berry.
After the house had adjourned he said:
They knocked us out. There IL no doubt
about that. I felt sure of fifty votes, of
course including Hayes, and counted on
ten Democratic votes for Berry. However.
this is not the vote for governor. although
the seating of Van Meter increases the
odds against us. presume the Democrats
will decide the other contests now pend
ing as this one has been decided. We will
fight it out to the end. however. The peo-
pie may be sure of that"
The Democratic members, without excep-
ton. claim that the seating Of Van Meter
foreshadows accurately the seating OF
Goebel.
The house now stands sixty Democrats,
including Van Meter and Speaker Trimble,
and forty Republicans; the senate twenty
six Democrats and twelve Republicans.
The Democrats, on a vote in the guber-
Material contest, can have but possible
maximum of twenty-four. as Goebel will
have no vote and Senator HILL a Goebel
man, is incapacitated by illness, and has
never qualified. Both sides admit the sem
ate to be very evenly divided. Seventy
votes are necessary on joint ballot to seat
Goebel as governor.
Last Day of Hearing.
This was the last day allotted to the con-
testees. Gov. Taylor and Lieut.. Gov Mar
shall, for defense in the pending guberna-
torial contest. The boards adjourned
promptly at 10 p. m. tonight to meet Mon
day afternoon when the arguments begin.
Each side will be allowed ten hours for
argument, the boards having fixed that
time with the agreement of counsel.
SENATOR HARHELLS TRIAL