The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-23
Brilliant Mississippi Lawyer Is
Chosen in Caucus 10 Succeed
4. ]. McLaurin
JOINT SESSION WILL
RlT|FY THE ACTION
boyd, Kyle and street Withdrew From
Race and Election of Percy Follows
on First Ballot BY Majority
of Five Votes

Jackson, Miss, February 22.-Leroy
Percy of Greenville lawyer and plant
er, was chosen tonight United States
senator from Mississippi to succeed the
late Senator A. J. McLaurin, and to
serve during the three years of his
unexpired term by majority in joint
legislative caucus of five votes over
former Gov. James K. Vardaman.
The result came on the fifty-eighth th
ballot and was brought about through
a process of elimination, terminating q
deadlock which has prevailed durng g
seven weeks.
When the caucus met tonight it was
after recess since last Friday follow
ing an announcement by Governor Noe!
that should no selection be made dur
ing the present legislative session he
would appoint Gen. James Gordon, the
present temporary appointee, to serve
during the unexpired term.
Tonight Withdrawals of the severe
candidates having the lesser votes,
came fast and Congressman A. Byrd,
John Kyle and M. II. Street success
lively followed in their turn of elimin-
"
the leading contestants.
The votes controlled by those candl-
dates who withdrew went almost solid
ly TO Percy, giving him 81 votes to Sc
foryardaman on the first ballot
In several respects the fight in eau
Gus has been one of the most reina rk :
able political contests ever held In the
south. From the start partisan feel :
Ing has been intense and the contest
early resolved itself into a fuctional
struggle between the adherents slfid
opponents OF the former governor
throughout Mr. Vardaman has main
tained his original vote and at tines
gaining enough to bring him within
few votes of the goal However,. the
majority was always distributed
among the other several candidates.
Mr.. Percy retained second place also
throughout the contest.
In anticipation of a selection tonigh +
representative hall was crowded long
before the time set for the conveninE
OF the caucus. When announcement
was made of the result pandemoni,,ul
broke loose and a pent up enth husiasm
gave way. 1t was with difficulty that
the addresses by the victor and van
quished could be heard above the tu-
multuous cheering.
Mr.. Percy promised a faithful SER
vice, while ~Mr. Vardaman formally
served notice that he would be can
didate for the office at the election two
years hence.
The action of the caucus will be
ratified at tomorrow's session of the
TWO branches of the legislature.
Career of Mr.. Percy
Jackson. Miss, February 22-Leroy
Percy was born in Washington county.
Mississippi. November 8, 1861, and Is
the son of the late Col. W. NJ. Percy.
formerly of Alabama. He graduated
from the University of the south at Sc
vance, Tenn, and is also graduate in
law of the University of Virginia. His
post graduate course was at Prince
ton university.
After his collegiate course Mr.. Percy
returned to Greenville and engaged in
the practice of law in connection with
the management of extensive land In
terests and since early manhood has
taken an active part In the political
and other affairs of the state He has
never heretofore held public office.
Mr. Percy was married in 1883 to Miss
Camille E. Bourger Of Louisiana.