New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-15
GENERAL POLITICAL NEWS.
EXCITEMENT AT HARRISBURG.

EXCITEMENT AT HARRISBURG.
FORTY-sEvEN MEMBERS STANDING FIRMLY BY MR.
GROw-MR. OLIvER's CAUCUS VOTE SECURED BY
THE AID OF DEsERTERs FROM MIR. GROw-rHE
CONTEST GROWING BITTER.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
HARRISBURG Penn. Jan. 14.-Tho thunderbolt
which split the Republicans of the Pennsylvania
Legislature on the Senatorial question, is the ex
citing theme of discussion to-day. The Oliver party
unsparingly criticise the action of Mr.. Crows
friends in refusing to 60 into caucus; but the
latter claim that the sequel shows they were right
since eight of Mr.. Crows instructed supporters in
fuenced by the methods Of the machine voted for
Oliver in ntter defiance of their instructions. An
independent view of the crisis justifies the
conclusion that neither Mr.. Grow nor Mr.. Oliver
can now be elected. although. strange to say,
both are still sanguine Of ultimate success. Mr.
Oliver and his friends went home this afternoon.
They rest their claims on party usage, and think
Oliver being the caucus nominee should receive the
support and Endorsement Of all Republicans who be-
leve in the integrity of organization. They are OF
opinion that Mr.. Grow having decided to
ignore the caucus, his supporters are released
from their instructions by such action
but the Grow party say they knew what they were
about in so doing, inasmuch Mr. Oliver could not
have been nominated without intriguing for some of
only two votes more than the number necessary to
nominate him. despite the fact that eight instructed
Grow men voted for him.
In reply to The TRIBUNE correspondents query as
to why his supporters did not 90 into the caucus.
Slr. Grow said tonight that his friends decided that
when the people had given full expression of opin
ion on any question through the regular forms OF
their local organization and the newspapers. the
men who claimed to be party leaders were bound to
respect such expression, and when those leaders
used all the appliances and manipulations
SO notorious at Harrisburg of late years to set aside
the popular WILL it became the duty of somebody to
vindicate the peoples rights That was why his
friends preferred to take the matter before the Leg
islature rather than 60 into caucus, as every mans
vote would now be recorded and his voice heard in
the House and Senate.
Representative Wolfe says that every man Of the
forty-seven who signed the protest against machine
methods will stick to Mr.. Grew, whose election is
the only way out Of the difficulty. Senator
Cooper. of Delaware County, deprecates factions
and faction leaders. and regards the Grow movement
as revolutionary. Senator Greer, OF Butler County,
thinks Mr. Oliver will surely be elected. but not by
the aid of Democratic votes. He believes that Mr..
Crows forty seven friends will yet regret their ac
ton and for it by voting In favor OF the cancus
nominee. Congressman Scranton, VINO mas been
here three weeks in Mr. Grows interest. regards
the action of Mr.. Grows followers as manly pro-
test against machine management and he thinks 1t
augers well for the high spirit and honorable man
hood of the Republican party.
The Democrats view the situation with cOmpla-
cency and will keep their members well III hand,
not letting them vote for MIR. Grow or Dir. Oliver.
They think the present split may lead 10 DIVISION
the State. 1t looks now il the Senatorial fight
would occupy the attention of the Legislature dur
ing the entire session.