Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-16

COuncllmanlc middle who are, in dan
ger OF allowing their selfish or parti-
san zeal to get the better of their
judgment Some CT them have gone,
or contemplate going to such extremes
as to render themselves liable to Grim
inal prosecution. It is within the
range of probability that sensational
Developments along this line will oc-
cur before the present fight is ended.
Every day adds to it's bitterness, and
already Rumor is active in the circu-
lation of stories about the improper
use of money.
fhe Intelligencer raised a scare yes
terday above the question of the ELI
gibility CT Councilman Thomas w.
Killeen, of the Sixth ward, who is said
to have failed to qualify within the
twenty days prescribed by ordinance.
1t is merely buga-boo.
likely to sustain Council in an act
Which would be plainly contrary to
the spirit of the law. Mr.. Killeen S
illness prevented him from attending
the meeting of Council at which the
other members qualified, and no meet
ing has been held since he has recoy-
cred. His illness would act as inabil-
ity to qualify beyond a doubt.
In the second place, it is merely a
technical advantage which the Intelli-
gencer suggests that Second Branch
Republicans may take, and such action
would create such popular indignation
that the Republicans would hesitate to
do it, if for no other reason.
In the third place, with the regular
Republicans a unit on the question
Mr.. Killeen's seat could not be de-
clared vacant, as the insurgents will
vote with the Democrats upon the
proposition.
The News last evening intimated
that there would be breaks in the
Democratic representation from the
Fifth ward. 1t does not appear that
there was the shadow of foundation for
such a statement Democratic Council
men from the Fifth are very indig-
nant concerning it. They sent repre-
sentatiyes to the Register office to fiat
ly deny the charge.
A great many sensational reports
have been put in circulation about
James Bailey, Democratic member
from the Sixth. 1t is said that he is
out of the city and cannot be located
It is also reported that a party OF
strong Democrats of the Sixth, all per-
sonal friends of Mr.. Bailey, decided
that 1t was time for an affirmation or
denial of the reports, and hunted Mr.
Bailey Thursday night but did not
find him.
Notwithstanding all this, Mr.. Bailey
will almost beyond doubt, vote with
the Democrats for all the candidates
selected by them. To do otherwise
would mean perjury. In this connec-
ton it may be said that any person or
persons guilty of attempting to infiu-
ence a man to violate an oath is parti-
ceps criminis, and liable to punish
ment. Upon this question DR.. T. VI
Haskns, Democratic Councilman from
the Eighth, said yesterday:
1T is all folly to talk about Mr.. Bal
ley boiling the caucus. In common
with the other members, he took a sol
emn oath before a notary public tC
support the candidates who had beer
selected by the Democratic members
MIR. Bailey has always been a Demo
crat, and even if he might otherwise
vote for some Republicans he cannot
do it under the circumstances without
committing perjury
1t is a safe guess that Mr.. Bailey, il
he votes at ALL will vote for the entire
Democratic slate.
1t is expected that Mr.. Thoma;
Burke, the other Sixth ward Democrat
who is alleged to have deserted hi;
colleagues, will vote for some Demo
cratic candidates. 1t is understood
that a very strong pressure was
brought to bear upon him by Mr.
Schmufbach. by whom he is employed
and the Democrats yielded to him the
privilege of voting for Schmulbach a;
a member of the Board of Public Works
Mr.. Burke, while frequently assertins
his personal independence, has all
along maintained that he is a Demo
crat, and he undoubtedly feels that he
must carry out the wishes of the Dem
ocrats of his ward, who elected him tc
| Council.
The newspapers have been placing
Mr.. Bailey and Mr.. Burke in the same
| position as the Republican insurgents
!