Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-01-02
FRUITLESS EFFORTS TO BRING
HARMONY ON NIGHT BEFORE

Chaplain -The Rev. John r. Bailey.
Of Dover
Telephone messenger - Arthur b
'Cordrey. Of Laurel
Page William Allen. OF Dover.
The selection OF attorney for the
House was left open Edwin r Coch-
ran, Jr., OF Wilmington, Is spoken OF
for the attorneyship,
Wet and Dry Issue.
The wet" and dry" question en-
tered largely into the fight for speaker
OF the House The contest was ex-
pected to be between Mr.. Hall. looked
on as the dry" candidate, and Repre-
sentative u. l.. Jones. of Dover. whom
the vets" we're backing. but the little
strength shown by Mr.. Jones In his
own county was a great surprise even
TO hts friends. Early last night the
eight Kent county Democratic MEM
bers OF the House held a conference
at the office of John b. Hutton. attor-
ney. A vote was taken for speaker,
and seven OF the eight members sup
ported Mr.. Hall. AT this conference
seven Of the members also voted for
Mr. Poor FOR the position of chief
clerk OF the House
As Mr.. Jones himself was the only
Kent member fho supported his candi-
dacy for Speaker on this test vote. Il
was thought the fight was ended, but
Representative William II. WEIGH. OF
Sussex county, formerly prothonotary
OF that county, who had been spoken OF
as a possible compromise candidate
was brought forward Former United
States Senator r. r. Kenney took an
active part in the preliminary scrim-
images in behalf of Mr.. Jones. A con-
1 ference was held at his Office during
the early evening, which was attended
/ by Representatives William ~ Con
nelly and J. Edward McNabb. of Will
mington, several rural New Castle
county Democratic members and also
several from Sussex county. What was
! done at this conference was not an
nounced, but Il was shortly afterwards
that some of these Democrats refused
to go into their partys caucus.
GOrmley Caucus Leader.
Democratic State Chairman Harry
IT, Graham called Joint caucus of the
Democratic senators and representa-
tives. which was held in the House
chambers about 10 o'clock. At this
caucus Senator Thomas Il. Gormley
was named caucus chairman for the
session and Representative Samuel n.
4 Culver, of Sussex county, secretary.
The joint Democratic caucus rules OF
two years ago were adopted, and
Chairman Gormley was authorized TO
name a steering committee, which will
be done later.
It was following this joint caucus
that the Democrats OF the House
made their first attempt 10 hold a sep
arate caucus. When the caucus reach
ed that point where organization was
about to be effected by the naming OF
officers. Representatives Connolly and
McNabb, of Wilmington, stated they
we're not ready TO go into a binding
caucus and left the room. ReDresen-
tative Jones, OF Kent county. candi-
date for Speaker. and the five Sussex
county Democratic members, also left
the caucus. Just as they were leaving
Representative George W. Swan, OF
Kent county, was named caucus chair.
man, and Representative Culver. Of
i, Sussex county, secretary.
From time to time the caucus sem
committees TO the members who haC
left requesting them to return TO tn,
caucus, but they stated they were no
ready for a caucus. Representatives
L Connolly and McNabb had made i
plain to their fellow members tina
: they wanted to name certain offices
and would hold out until they 20
= them.
Connolly was backing II. +. Lannan
Jr., OF Wilmington, for chief clerk o
the House. and Mr. McNabb was stand
! ing out for John Walls. of Wilmington
2 for sergeant-at-arms.
During one OF the numerous re
2 cesses which the Democratic Hous
). caucus took TO try and get in the al
e sent members, Representative Edwi
S II. Tindall, of Sussex county. returned
b and later Representatives James I
e Chapman and Samuel \. Culver, VIII
had been named secretary, also re
/. turned and participated in the fns
7 business OF the caucus.
4 Connolly aud McNabb Hold Out.
Those who remained out we're Rep