The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-08
THE STATE SENATE
BEGINS ITS WORK
Democratic Caucus Nominees
Elected as Officers.
FIRST BILL INTRODUCED
Republicans Poll Four Votes for Each of Their
Candidates and the Session Finally Adourns
in Honor of the Late Senator Zeb Will
son of BurnsviIle.

son Of BurnsyiIle.
There was moving here and there about
the floor of the Senate chamber, old
friends were evhanging greetings, and
new acquaintances were being formed. 1t
was a few minutes before twelve O'Clock
yesterday, and the minute and hour
hands of the Senate clock were getting
closer and closer together.
The first day of the session of 1903 was
about to begin. Some of the Senators
We're in their seats, some were standing
about waiting for the final moment for
the session to begin. Up in the galleries
were a number of ladies with their es-
corts, while clustered about the doors and
in the lobbies were citizens prominent in
the bushes, the educational, the religious
and the political world.
Noon had arrived, and at the moment
Lieutenant Governor w. D. Turner,
president of the Senate, raped for order,
and said: 1.-THE Senate of North Carolina
will come to order"
In an instant there was order out of
chaos. The members were in their seats,
the visitors had retired from the Senate
door The retiring Chief Clerk Maxwell,
who was to succeed himself. was at his
post. we will now be led in prayer,
said President Turner, who presented
Rev. Frank A. Wood, of Durham. With
earnest words, the blessing of God was
invoked on the body of men gathered
and His guidance asked in the delibera-
tions which would ensue.
Then came the swearing in of the Sena-
tors this being done by Lieutenant
Governor Turner. This was by districts,
five Senator's being sworn in at time, the
first second and third districts In the
second five Senator Travis, of Halifax,
was missing, not being in the room, while
Senator Warren, of Jones, not yet arrived
was missing in the next five, and
Dead" was marked against the name of
Zeb Wilson. of Burnsville. The roll call
showed that there were present 4S Sena-
tors out of so, and that of these there
were 43 Democrats, four Republicans and
one Independent Democrat. Senator
Marshall, of Surry, simply affirmed in
taking his obligation.
Next came the election of officers, and
all of those naed il the Democratic eau
Gus were selected. After the first name
was put in nomination there camo a
nomination which showed that the four
Republicans OF the Senate had also held
a caucus. These Republicans are S. Z.
Marshall, of White Plains; J. O. Holton,
of YadSinville; II. NJ. Wellborn of
Transou: Joel L. Crisp, of Ste
coah, and they put up their candi
dates with just as much solemnity es
did the Democrats, o. P. Shell. for En-
crossing Clerk, nominee of the Demo
Gratis, alone having no opposition.
The first officer elected was the Chief
Clerk. Senator London presented as the
Democratic nominee Mr.. A. J. Maxwell
of Rockingham. Senator Crisp presented
as the Republican nominee Mr.. o. p.
Williams, of Wayne. The ballot resulted:
Maxwell, 43, Williams, 4. On the ballot
EIr. Conley cast no vote.
Senator Glenn, of Guilfords placed in
nomination for Reading Clerk, Mr.. T. J.
Murphy, of Greensboro, as the Demo
cratic nominee, and Senator Marshall
named for the Republicans Mr.. John
Ross, of Surry. The result was Murphy
Al, Ross 4.
of Wilson, the Democratic caucus choice,
was nominated by Senator Woodard. For
the Republicans Senator Wellborn nomi-
mated Mr.. John Wagner. of Allegheny.
The vote was, Bats 40, Wagner 4.
For Assistant Doorkeeper Rev. D. p.
Goode was nominated by Senator Justice,
as the Democratic choice, while Senator
Holton nominated for the Republicans
Mr.. s. w. Vestal, of Yadkin. The vote
was Goode 40. Vestal 4.
For Engrossing Clerk the only nomi-
nee was that of the Democrats, this being
Mr. Q. p. Shell, of Harnett He received
40 votes, the Republicans voting for no
one.
Senator Coniey, elected as an Independ-
ent Democrat from Mcdowell voted for
TWO of the Democratic nominees, and did
not vote on three of the roll calls.
Ihe newly elected officers were called
10 the presidents desk, and there took
the required oath that they would fully
discharge the duties of their offices. To
elect these officers and get the Senate in
condition for work had taken ono hour
and four minutes.
Senator London moved that messa pe
De sent the House of Representatives in
forming that body that the Senate was
organized and was ready for business
This was carried
On motion of Senator Brown a com
mlttee of three was appointed to act with
similar committee from the House to
Wait upon the Governor and inform him
OF the organization. and that the General
Assembly was ready for any communica-
ton from him. On this committee Sena-
tors Brown. Henderson and We,lborn
were named.