West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-12-28
Independents WIN control House


nor Republicans will have a majority
OF the next House. necessary to elect
Speaker, and that a handful OF indie
pendents will determine which side
will control the organization.
Conceding seats to candidates In
possession OF CERTIFICATES OF election
because they are certain to participate
In the organization OF the House, the
personnel now stands, Republicans
PA; Democrats 213. Independents 2.
Progressives 2. Prohibitionist 1, So
cialist 1, contested 2. A majority is
21S, hence should either Democrats or
Republicans win both OF the contests
they still would be short OF q major
ity.
All OF the independents are main
tanning strict silence regarding their
attitude on the Speakership, but the
Democratic and Republican leaders
are agreed on how most OF them will
vote, provided caucuses are held and
solidarity maintained by the two old
parties.
Kelly of Pennsylvania. a Progress
sive who formerly was a Democratic
member of the House, is listed as n
Democratic probability. SO are Ran
dali. Prohibitionist of California, who
voted for Speaker Clark the last time,
and London OF New York, Socialist,
sits on the Democratic side now and
has been shown favors by Democratic
leaders.
Schall OF Minnesota, Progressive,
the leaders agree. probably would lean
toward Republican candidate IL con-
WINGED of his progressiveness He
campaigned for the National Republi-
can ticket during the last campaign,
although opposed by the regular or
ganization in his state. Fuller indie
pendent, of Massachusetts, also is
classed as Republican hope.
Martin OF Louisiana, Progressive,
comes from a large sugar district in
Louisiana, and has indicated that as
| surances OF protection OF the sugar
| interests will be his first concern i'm
voting on the organization He was
formerly a Democrat, however, and
Democratic leaders hope to get his
vote. At the same time Republicans
think he can be convinced that their
party is the only one which has his
sugar interests at heart.
Contests in which certificates have
not been issued are on in the Thirty
second Pennsylvania district, where
Representative Barchheld, Republic
can, is contesting the election of Guy
10. Campbell. Democrat. who on the
face of the returns won by 46 votes,
and the Third New Jersey district
where Representative Scully, Demo-
crat, is opposing the election of Rob-
ert Carson, Republican.
Scully is now reported to have a
lead of 1875 votes on the recount, but
here still are about 5000 votes to be
passed upon by the courts. At least
twenty seats, il is said, will be con-
tested In the House after II has or
gauized.
Should the Republicans seat both of
their contestants and hold their men,
| bership solid for their candidate, they
would need only two Independent
votes to win the Speakership, while
the Democrats would need five. On
the other hand. should the Democrats
win the contested seats, the Republl-
cans would need four Independent
votes, while the Democrats could win
with three votes.
There is no question about the
Democrats voting solidly for Speaker
Clark, but there are some signs of
strife among the Republicans. Rep
resentative Gardner already has an
nounced his opposition to Representa-
tive Mann. Every effort will be made
by leaders, however, to have the solid
support of Republicans assured in
conference before voting starts.
Representative Gardner, who an
nounced yesterday that he would seek
to obtain a Republican conference to
formulate policies" for the future ac-
tivity of the party in the House, did
not visit the capitol today. Mr.. Mann
was there, however. and tonight he
expressed the view that the Republi-
cans would stand united at least in
the organization of the House.
81 have nothing to say about the
speakership matter or the Gardner
episode he said, except that / still
hope that the President in some way
through Gods providence may aid in
bringing about peace which shall be
lasting and permanent and provide for
disarmament and the removal of the
heavy burdens of military and naval
preparedness and II I can I'm the
slightest degree assist to bring about
such result I would rather do that
than to be Speaker"
The charge OF Mr.. Gardner that I
am for Prussia and Prussiaism, is of
course, utterly untrue. ! am for Amer
lea first. last and all the time, and do
not take sides in the European war.
in Mr.. Gardeners opinion that is my
onense
Il suppose It is inevitable that I'm
the present situation in regard to poll
teal control Of the House, every man
who gets a crouch will be tempted to
buster around and say that he will
not play unless he can have his own
way. That is always one OF the re-
suits OF very narrow margin OF
votes But iu the end tbink tbo po