Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-20

| Democratic success after the prolong-
| ed fight in the City Council, is bitter
pill for the regular Republicans to
swallow, but it must go down, writhe
| and wriggle and squirm as they may.
The regulars are now in the minor
i ity-a hopeless minority, it seems
and their attitude toward the insurg-
ents has changed. They are no longer
insolent and overbearing, but have
suddenly grown conciliatory and
courteous. There are some among
them who are willing to concede every
thing to the insurgents. They will al
low them to dictate all the nominal
tions, provided all are Republicans. 1t
is the last despairing cry of a hope
! that is on the verge of dissolution.
They want to save something from the
wreck. After exhausting their voca-
bulary of expletives in language de-
mandatory of the insurgents, the regu-
lars are now on their knees suing for
peace, and for mercy.
But it is too late. The insurgents.
animated by a determination to carry
| out the wishes of the people, sounded
a note of warning. IL was not needed.
The regulars, in fancied security, turn
ed a deaf ear to the insurgents. Then
bn frin hot n
do-allied themselves with the Demo-
Gratis, which was their only hope of Sc
curing the reforms to which they were
pledged. 8
| The regulars could have found easier
terms of compromise heretofore, but
now the insurgents are bound by the
obligation of a solemn oath to support
| the Democratic slate. That it will go
| through there does not appear to be
any doubt.
| 1T is understood that Mr.. ID. b.
Lavey, who was the Democratic nom
Second ward. and who made a hard
| fight for the place. is slated as the sue
cessor to F. M. Milligan in the Second
Branch. 1t was thought that the place
would be given to either Mr.. Lavey or
VIM. Ellingham. Mr.. Ellingham is at
present in Florida, which fact prevents
the consideration of his name.
MIR. Lavey was called into a meeting
of the Democrats in the office of the
Sheriff after Council adjourned last
night. 1t is understood that he was
acquainted with the fact that he was
the caucus choice, and that he took
the same obligation as the other Demo-
Gratis and insurgents, to support the
Democratic slate.
| The dntelligencer has been endeav-
| oring to make capital out of the fact
that Thos. w. Killeen failed to qualify
within twenty days after his election,
| alleging that he thereby forfeited his
| right to a seat in the Second Branch.
/, The fact of Mr.. Killeen's illness is
| generally understood. 1t was because
of his illness that he did not qualify.
He did qalify, however, within twenty
days after he was officially declared to
have been elected Mayor Sweeney ad-
ministering the oath. 1t is believed
that the language of the ordinance
| should be construed to mean within
twenty days after being declared
elected.
! All this is immateriaI, however. as
the Democrats are in the majority in
the Second Branch, and can re-elect
Mr.. Killeen. Even if this were not
true, it is believed that there are de-
cent Republican members who would
object to taking advantage of techni-
cality to deprive a man of a seat when
he failed through physical illness, to
qualify.
| The changes in the situation which
the past few days have brought about,
have placed the Democrats in position
!
lVD a