Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-10-12
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
TO Be HELD TONIGHT
FOLLOWED IN THE GAS
BOARD FIGuI.
BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY.
4 Special Meeting of Council viii
Probably he Called For Text
week--Nr. Chew Has Probably
Gone Ftshtng-An oface Holder
oners 10 Make Wagcr--Phnscs
of the situation.

of the situation.
There have been a great many COM
plieations in the game of politics which
has been played by the present City
Council. but at no time has there been
more interesting situation than the
City Gas Board fight has brought about.
Not only has IL developed very knotty
problem, but 1t has revealed the hands
of some politicians who have been en-
gagged in stiff game of bluff"
The Democrats thought-and with
excellent reason-that they had the
support OF the Republican insdrsent
tho. They appear TO have had an eN-
aggerated idea of the binding qualities
OF a solemn oath. just when the Gas
Beard election was To have Deen ser
tied their way the insurgents slipped
through their fingers. returned TO their
first love. where they were received
with open arms, aud justified their
course by technieality In the con-
struction of the oath.
Mr. NJ. A. Chew. leader and mouth
piece OF the insurgents. is some pump
kins as politician. lie has dictated
terms to both sides because OF the
numerical strength of his following.
He has been credited with an ambition
to become secretary of the Gas Board,
but when IL became evident That he
would never get the place, no an
nounced that he never wanted it--that
he was sick OF politics anyhow-that
there was nothing In IL for him but loss
of time and money-and he was going
fishing. Mr.. Chew probably carried out
his threat yesterday. He is believed to
have gone fishing.
Meanwhile the row which he stirred
up continued yesterday. There were
further efforts to induce Mr.. t. Buck
man to be good Republican, and al
low slate dictated by man who de-
serted his party associates, to go
through Council Mr.. Buchanan, up TO
the present writing, has failed to see 1t
that way. His friends say that he will
have seven Republican votes in Council.
and that his election Is assured II the
Democrats will assist his seven friends
In breaking the caucus slate.
On the other hand, there Is an equal
II not a greater show of confidence In
the result of the election.
Il will bet you new suit of clothes"
said a Republican office holder who Is
in close touch with the situation, that
Mr.. Buchanan will not be elected Il
member of the Gas Board. For every
Republican he gets, the caucus slate
will get n Democrat. Mark my word.
1t Is as good as settled
1t is not known just whom the Re-
publicans are figuring on IA Democratic
deserters, but = IL Is presumed that
Messrs. Bailey, Lavey and Burke are
three of the members. Mr.. bavey told
the Register man that he would vote
for any slate the Democrats named.
Mr.. Burke has stated that he will stand
by his party associates.
The Buchanan supporters have not Of
fered the Democrats anything in return
for their support, but have sought 1t.
The Democratic members of Council
will probably hold a caucus tonight to
determine upon the course which they
will follow. They will endeavor to act
together and to act for the best inter-
ests of the party. IL they vote for the
present board, they can defeat the Re-
publican caucus slate, and some OF them
would feel very much gratifled over the
accomplishment of anything which
might defeat the schemes of the insur-
gents, upon whose unwavering support
they had counted. The Democrats
will probably either approve one OF
the two Democrats who have been
named for place on the board, or Sc
lect another.
1t is said that Mr.. Andrew Reitz, the
Republican caucus nominee for a place
upon the board, is undecided as to
whether or not he will stand as a can
didate. So far as can be learned he
has not yet stated definitely that he
would accept the place. His Withdraw
al would necessitate another Repu5li-
can caucus and If held it would doubt
less be very interesting meeting.
Mr.. Buchanan said to a Register re-
porter last night that he knew nothing
of the electric light matter figuring in
the fight. He was a champion of the
bill to give the city the right to acquire
the Wheeling Electrical Company's
property, and has advocated 1t from
standpoint of public policy. There does
not appear to have been any great de-
sire or determination on the part of
anybody to acquire this plant.
1t is also whispered about that the
Wheeling Traction Company has
hand in the Gas Board fight. Similar
rumors are circulated in connection
with nearly every important movement