The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-04-03
Officers Chosen at Demo
cratic Caucuses With
out Slightest Friction.
BEST OF GOOD FEELING PRE-
VAILED DURING THE MEETINGS
PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE
AND HOUSE CAUCUSES-THE
NEW PRESIDENT OF THE SEN
ATE.
SneciaI 70 The Journal.


of the Florida senate and house of
representatives met in caucuses last
night in their respective chambers in
the capitol building. and nominated
by reclamation Senator w. Hunt
Harris, of the twenty-fourth district
for president, Senator Teop. West, of
the fourth, for president pro tenn,
while at the same time the lower
house members with equal unanimity
were nominating Hon. Eugene S.
Matthews, of Bradford county and
Hon. Charles Knowles of Monroe for
speaker and speaker pro TEN. respec-
lively. The election of Senator Har-
ris and Representative Matthews 10
their respective positions has been
practically assured for several. days,
and by noon yesterday all opposition
had vanished, and a-clean campaign
for legislative honorS had : left the
two men absolute victors, the result
of eminent personal qualifications
and we'll organized campaign.
Good Feeling Prevails.
That good feeling prevails is evi-
denced by the fact that DR.. West,
VINO was unanimously elected presi-
dent pro tenn. was the leading can
didate for the presidency against
Senator Harris, and did not with
yesterday. Senator Henderson, who
was mentioned as candidate for
the presidency. was pledged to Sen
ator Harris. and Representative G. G..
Mathews Of Marion, mentioned prom
inently as a candidate for the speak
ership, announced that he was pledged
to Representative Matthews of Brad
ford. So half day before the eau
cuses convened the contest was de-
cided, and so far as the selection OF
the presiding officers was concerned
all was harmonious well in advance
of the formality of the nominations.
All the senators We're present eX
cepting Senator NeWland who is
critically i'll at his home at Live Oak,
and the house roll call showed three
absentees. both representatives, from
Alachua, Messrs. Carter and Doke.
and Representative Williams. of
Jackson. Representative Pettigre, of
Manatee, the one socialist in the leg
islature. was present al the house
caucus a portion of the time, but did
not participate, as il was intended to
be a democratic caucus.
The Proceedings.
Former Secretary Appleyard called
the senate to order. and on motion of
Senator Crane of the eleventh district
Senator Henderson was chosen chair
man, Senator Henderson accepting
in a few words. Senator Beard of
the second district placed Senator
Harris in nomination for the presi
dency in a short and able speech
seconded by Senator Buchanan Of the
eighteenth senator harris was en-
Enthusiastically nominated by acclama
ton. and then followed in the Same
manner the nomination of Senator
West as president pro tem,on motion
= OF Senator Hudson, seconded by Sen
ator Ncel. The election of the other
senate officers and attaches followed
ny ballot where there was a contest.
the first ballot resulting in the cleo
ton of Chas. a. Finley of Lake City
over Thomas J. Appleyard OF the
same place as secretary of the sen
ate, Mr.. Appleyard having filled that
office for years. and Mr.. Finley haY-
.ng preceded him. {. o. Andrews for
dill secretary defeated Gen. Fred
Robertson, who had held the office
Tor twelve consecutive years.
In the House.
in the house of representatives
Watson of Dade, twice speaker Of the
house, was chosen chairman on mo-
hon of Representative GriggS OF
Franklin. seconded by Representative
MacWilliams of ST. Johns. and hay-
Ing been elected by reclamation was
escorted TO the chair by Representa-
lives Griggs and Long, assisted by
Chief Clerk Kellum, and made a brief
speech of thanks. Nominations for
speaker were called for, and in a
most eloquent speech Representa-
tive Wartman of Marion one OF the
older members of the house, placed
in nomination one Of the youngest,
Representative Matthews of Brad
ford. Having been ably seconded by
Representatives Dorman of Suwannee
and Farris of Duval, the latter being
the secretary of the meeting. Mr.
Matthews was nominated by unan.
imous rising vote, succeeded by ire
mendous applause. He was escorted
TO the side of the chairman by Rep
resentatives Matthews of Marion and
Mac Williams. and in very few
words expressed his heartfelt thanks
for the honor conferred upon him.
The attaches of the house were
then elected by ballot. the chief con.
tests being between four candidates
Tor messenger and sixteen for page.
Nat Walker, the veteran reading
clerk, was opposed by John w
Davis of ST. Johns and the TWO can
didates gave the caucus 4 sample OF
their vocal abilities before the ballo.
vas taken. Col Walker won ont by
4 vote OF more than TWO TO one The
other contests resulted as before
noted.
Speaker Pro Tenn.
II fell 10 The speaker elect to place
In nomination the speaker pro tenn,
Representative Knowles. whose home
city IS that of the new president of
4he senate, Key West. Mr.. Knowles
was not present when nominated.
which was done amid great applause,