The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1910-02-23
PERCY NAMED
FOR SENATOR
THE LONG DEADLOCK At JACKSON
BROKEN LAST NIGHT.
THE SECRET BALLOT CAUCUS ELECTS
a SECRET BALLOT SENATOR.
Leroy Percy. Of GreenvilIe. Nominated
on the SSth Secret Ballot.
The Final Vote Stood Leroy Percy 81,
TX. Vardaman 81.
All Of the other Candidates Had Pre-.
viOusIy Withdrawn.
Leroy Percy. Of GreenvilIe, Nominated
on the 5Sth Secret Ballot.
The Final Vote Stood Leroy Percy 81,
]. X. Vardaman 81.
All Of the Other Candidates Had Pre-.
yiOusIy Withdrawn.
Special to the N. 0. Pioayune. ]

Special to the N. 0. Picayune.
jackson, Miss, Feb. 22.- This
birthday anniversary of George
Washington in the year of grace
1910 will bear memorable sniff
cance to people of Mississippi. 1t
marked the termination Of the most
memorable political struggle that
has occurred within the borders of
the State since the days of 1875 and
1876. and injects into the spotlight
of the immediate future anew per-
sonality in that of Leroy Percy,
who after six weeks and four days
of campaigning, harassment and
vigorous. determined work, was de.
clared the nominee of the Demo-
cratic Party in caucus assembled as
the choice Of its caucus to succeed
the late Anselm j. McLaurin.
The scenes attending the last
meeting of the memorable caucus.
which began its round of bailoting
on the 7th day of January, beggar
description, and it can only be con-
jectured what would have been the
result had the lead been reversed
and the vote on the final ballot had
shown majority Of five for Varda.
man. In the language Of one who
was in the thick of the caucus body
on the fIocr. It was perhaps best,
for if vardaman had led Percy.
that crowd would have torn the
roof off the building.
There were surprises galore pre-.
ceding the great climax and the
first was when the venerable speak
er of the House and former chair
man of the caucus, Colonel II. M.
Street, Immediately after roll call
secured recognition in order to an
nounce his formal withdrawal from
the contest before the caucus.
He had consulted no one and had
said nothing to any one of his sup
porters as to his intention, and in
a graceful speech expressed his
thanks for the support and consid-
Grafton given him.
Next in order and while the
, crowd was cheering Colonel Street,
Senator George H. Banks secured
the floor. and eloquently Withdrew
the name Of his champion. Hon.
Adam Monroe Byrd.
It began then to look as if it
would be three-legged race be-
tween Percy. Vardaman and Kyle,
but not so, for in the next instant.
A p.
after the applause following the
speech of Senator Banks, Senator
, Mahon arose and in a most impress
sive manner withdrew the name Of
big, true-hearted. faithful and
loyal" Honest John Kyle. 1t ali
came like clap Of thunder out Of
a clear. blue. summer sky. so well
had the coup been planned.
THE ROLL CALL.
This thinned the crop down to a
stand. and Immediately, amid
much confusion. the clerks began
the roll cali for what every one
realized to be the final ballot,
Eventually. after rather more delay
than usual, owing to the intense
lobbying accompanying. the rol
call was completed, and then !
tense silence fell over the bis
audience chamber astthe teIIers dit
their work.
The count was soon completed
and amid such a tumult as has no
been heard or witnessed in this cit.
Chairman Dean declared the result
ttnn n.- L =. 80