Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-11
Browning Will Be Speaker
Of Next House OF
Delegates
TO CAUCUS TONIGHT.
Delegates Meetze and Jordan in Clos
Contest for Craftsmanship Of House
Caucus.

Richmond, Jan. l1-Delegate Geo.
l.. Browning, of Orange, last night de-
finitely authorized the statement that
he was not a candidate for election as
Sneaker OF the House, thereby leaving
4. a clear field for Delegate Harry X.
Hnnston. of Hampton. No other candi-
date has been suggested and Mr.Hous-
ION will, therefore, be nominated
sneaker at tonight's House caucus by
Il unanimous vote.
Incidentally, also, Mr.. Browning,
said that he would not he candidate
for the craftsmanship OF the House
caucus.
Two-thirds of the members who
COMPOSE the General Assembly OF
1916 were registered at the hotels
last night, and to all intents ana
purposes the new session was under
way. There were no roll calls and no
formal convening. but there we're
caucuscs galore and conclaves in no.
rel rooms without number.
Out of the babel one thing arose
as universally conceded--the cleo
lion of Delegate Harry r. Houston,
s of Hampton, as Speaker.
Somewhat less certain was the
spreading assumption that Delegate
6. E. Jordan. of Pulaski, wii1 De cleo
cd tonight as chairman oil the House
caucus. Friends Of Mr.. Jordan con-
Quoted an active canvass, and late
last night made the statement that
sufficient votes were in sight to in
sure his election. This conclusion
was disputed by the supporters OF
Delegate c. j. Meetze, of Prince Will
liam. who has been an avowed can
didate for the honor ever since the
adjournment Of the special session.
While there is mo rule to this ef-
feet,it has been the practice for years
10 make the chairman of the House
caucus also, the chairman of the Joint
caucus. The Office is always the sub
iect of a spirited contest. AS the pre-
siding officer over the body that no.
inmates for all important vacancies
Judiciary. and departmental-the
chairman Of the joint caucus is pro-
minent party; figure. The office was
3 held last year byiDelegate Houston
For the Craftsmanship of the Sen
ate caucus the prevailing choice OF
the members on the scene last night
was the incumbent Senator; George
b r. Raison, of Chatham. Reports OF a
scancerted movement in ultradry cir
cles to oust Mr.. Raison because oi
u his lack of sympathy with the dry
cause at. preceding sessions and t;
elect in his place Senator G. Walter
Mapp, of Accomac, leader OF the pro
g b;bition forces were heavily discount.
ed by the fact that Senator Mapp Is
still confined to his home, convalesc'
sine from an operation for appendicl
\ Fits.
j It was quite generally accepted
4 that Captain w. w, Baker, OF .Ches
J terGeld ranking member of the Hous'
!, Finance Committee since the retire
ment of Chairman Aubrey weaver
would be designated by the neV
Speaker to head that important com
mittee. With a little less assuranc
most of the delegates predicted tn
selection Of Delegate Stephenson, o
Bath. as chairman of the Commute
for Courts of Justice, to succee
Walker Tansill Oliver, and the az
/ pointment of Delegate Norris, @
( Lancaster, as chairman of the Com
IS mittee% on General Laws. to succee
~ 3. Spessard, who does not return
For the Craftsmanship of the Com
n,ittee on Privileges and Elections
. post held last year by Martin Wi
,iams, OF Giles-the name of R. T
wills, delegate from the city of Ro;
noke. led the rest. Party leaders sal
last night that While Mr.. Willis hi
strong Support for this appoiutmeu
the ctalrmsnship Of the Privileg
.,nd Elesfions Committee is still