Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-22
TIE DEMOCRATS MEET
WITT REPUBLICAN INSURGENTS AT
THE WINDSOR HOTEL LAST
NIGHT.
NO CHANGE IN THE SITUATION
Vexed Over
the Publicity Given to Their Plans
for PactfyinE the Insurgents-Two
Views of the Situation, From OPP
pOsite Points of View.

The City Hall contingent of the Re-
publican party in Ohio county was
sorely yexed yesterday over the pub
licity given to their plans for pacifying
the insurgents, mentioned in the Reg
lister exclusively. 1t was a sort of con-
fidential deal, and the insurgents were
expected to keep mum" 1t is but an
other illustration of the fact that the
best laid scheme o. mice and men,"
etc.
Last night the Democrats and in
surgent Republicans held a meeting at
the Hotel Windsor, and discussed the
situation in a general way. Nothing
was given out for publication, but it is
understood that plans of procedure
when Council meets were determined
upon. 1t is generally understood that
the insurgents are with the Democrats
upon questions affecting membership
in the Second Branch.
Some Republicans are said to be
willing to concede the Sixth ward seat
to Mr.. Killeen in return for the privi-
lege of electing a Republican to sue
coed Mr.. Milligan in the Second ward.
This proposition involves an exhibition
of colossal nerve, since they are not in
position to concede or to demand any
thing.
A prominent Republican, in discuss
ing some OF the many phases of the
situation yesterday, said
There are several ways in, which the
Republicans might get out of their diff
ficulties, but whether they can resort
to them or not is a problem. One OF
the outlets would be to refuse to go
into joint session when invited by the
Second Branch. To be sure the law
says the First Branch shall go into
joint session upon invitation; but sup
pose it don't. The Democrats would
probably apply to the Circuit Court for
a writ of mandamus, and that proceed
ing could be fought out. In case of an
adverse decision the case might be ap-
pealed to the Supreme Court of the
State, and a year might elapse before a
decision was reached. In the mean
time no one could tell what might hap
pen, and the present city officials
would continue to hold Office until their
successors are elected and qualify
Ordinary city business could be trans
acted as usual, and there would simply
be no joint session. l don't believe the
Republicans will be reduced to that ex-
tremity-in fact, it is my impression
that when the time comes the regulars
will be able to command a sufficient
number of Democratic votes to at least
put through a split ticket satisfac-
tory to a majority-but should the
worst come to the worst, l would ad-
wise the majority in the First Branch
to simply remain in their own cham
Der, attend to their own affairs, and,
as the Irishman said: Let nature take
its course"
When this was suggested to a lead
ing Democrat, he smiled and said:-
THAT plan wouldn't work, and we
wouldn't have to go to Court, either.
The Second Branch, being in session,
and having invited the First to go into
joint session, the six Democrats of the
First would naturally respond, while
the Mayor would see to it that no
members lett the Second Branch cham
Der. The Mayor would order a roll call,
and pursue PIT of two courses: He
might rule that a majority of the mem
bers of Council were sufficient to do
business, which would not be nearly SO
bad a decision as that which went
down into history in the annals of the
Senate of the State of West Virginia
upon one occasion, nor yet as subject
to criticism as the contention of Mr..
McGregor that he is entitled to two
votes. one as a member and the other
as presiding officer. The other method
would be to instruct the police to ar
rest three Republican members of the
First Branch wherever found, and
bring them into the joint session. That
would settle the whole question"
These remarks are but specimens of
the interminable discussion which is
going on all over the city, on both
sides of the political fence, as to the
unprecedented complications. One car
ing to take the trouble can hear twenty
expressions of views in half an hour,
ranging through all the ramifcations
from Republican confidence of the reg
ulars winning out to Democratic as
surances of a speedy and complete vic
tory. What the final outcome will be
no man knoweth, but the Democracy is
undoubtedly in the best position.