Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-10-10
FRIENDS
SAY He WILL WIN OUT.
RUMoRs OF DEALS AND CoMBINA-
TIoNs u THE GAS HOARD
FIGHT
IN CIRCULATION YESTERDAY
The Three Republican Insurgents
No Longer Hold the key TO the
situation-What They Say and
what Others Ssy-Six Republican
Caucus Boitcrs-The Intetiigen-
GERS Breaks.


The situation in the City Gas Board
fight is decidedly chaotic. 1t appears
certain that the insurgent trio, Chew,
st. Myers and Marshall, no longer hold
the key. There are so many compliea-
tions that the outcome is uncertain,
and as usual the rival claims overlap
each other. The insurgents find that
while most of the regular Republicans
welcome them back with open arms,
there are others who have not yet for
given them, and will certainly not ac-
quiesce in any programme dictated by
them.
II is generally accepted as fact
that there is dlsaffection in the Repub=
lican camp, but there are conflicting
reports as to its magnitude II is
safe guess that Second Branch Coun-
men Scheehle. Hazlett and Cummins
viii not support the caucus slate as
adonted al HIS undertaking parlors
Monday night.
/ Mr.. Scheehle came out fat-footed yes
terday and announced that he proposed
TO support Mr. T.. Buckman. Mr.. Haz-
lett stated that he went into the
caucus under a misapprehension' ana
declared his opposition to selling out
to Mr.. Chew or permitting him TO die
tate the caucus nominations, which 1t
appears that MIR. Chew has done lie
is willing to take the insurgents BACK,
but decidedly unwilling TO allow them
to name the conditions upon which
they shall return.
! Mr.. Cummins Is Inclined 10 be evas-
/ i've. but has indicated in an interview
7 that he is dissatisfied with the course
which the Republicans have taken, and
is willing to join with others in bring
ing about the reelection OF the old
Board.
! 1t is therefore reasonably certain that
there will be three Republican votes
against the caucus slate. Friends OF
Mr.. f. buchanan claim that there are
~
/ A reporter was assured by a gentleman
who is very close to Mr.. Buchanan, that
if the Democrats will vote for the pres
ent Gas Board. there will be six Re
pnblicans in Joint session who will join
with them and break the caucus slate.
This will probably be the programme
of the Democrats, although II Is I'M
derstood that it has not yet been defin-
itely decided upon. The Democrats
may meet before the next session OF
Council, and decide to act as unit.
One thing is certain-that there will be
no agreement with the boiling Repub-
leans. as they are unwilling to enter
+ into compact of any kind. The Dem
ocrats win therefore act in accordance
with what they regard as the best in
terests of the party.
! The Democrats fear that three of
their number will vote with the Repub-
I licans, although at least two of them
have publicly stated that they will not
do So The old Board can be re-
elected without their support, how
ever, If the entire body of Democrats
will vote with the six boiling Republic
I cans.
! Mr.. Chew's justification of the course
of himself ant his associates in disre-
garding their oath-bound agreement
with the Democrats, is very weak.
I'VE were not to be bound to action
with the Democrats on the Gas Board
matter until we made selection, he
SAYS. well, we made no selection,
and we are not bound to do anything.
We have made our selection at the Re-
publican caucus"
Mr.. Chew virtually confesses that
the insurgents are violating their
agreement in spirit, If not in the letter.
J The Interpretation of the oath, as made
by the Democrats to-day. conforms
with the definition as given at the time
the oath was taken. Mr.. Chew seeks
to escape by technicality.
There was more activity among the
Republicans yesterday than upon the
other side, and there were rumors OF
deals and combinations galore. The
regular Republicans have been taken
by surprise. but II all reports be true
there are more than a half dozen who
dislike the idea OF supporting slate
dictated by man who forsook them
at a critical period.
There was talk yesterday OF calling
a special meeting Of Council for this
evening, but at an early hour this
morning no call had been left at police
headquarters.