Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-23
WILL THERE BE TWO HOUSES?
Serious View Of the Close Division of
the Next House Of Representatives.
BOTH PARTIES STILL CLAIMING TO HAVE A MAJOR
TTY-wHAT MAY HAPPEN II BOTH SHOULD PUSH
THEIR CLAIMS FOB THE CONTROL OF THE Or
GANIZATIoN.

While not claiming that they have a major
ity in the next House the democrats still insist
that, with several districts in doubt, the
chances are favorable to their having major
ity of one or three. 1t is pretty certain that
neither party will give it up until the official
count is declared in each and every district.
Meanwhile there is considerable work being
done. 1t seems probable that the republicans
will organize the House with a majority OF
from five to seven, but it is certainly possible
that the democrats may come in with major
ity of the certificates. There is sufficient
doubt about some of the returns for that. The
repeated expressions of fear from the republi-
can managers is sufficient indication that they
do not feel entirely safe yet.
THE DEMOCRATS KEEPING VERY QUIET.
Whatever work is being done by the demo-
Gratis, if any, is kept very quiet, or else is en-
tirely in the hands of the local managers in the
doubtful districts. Some of the officers Of the
House point out the acknowledged defeat OF
Johnston of North Carolina, in a district that
has been regarded as safely democratic, and
say that if they were thinking Of stealing the
House they would certainly have begun there.
They point this out as one evidence Of good
faith. They protest that because a district in
the south may be in doubt that is no reason for
elected.
FROM REPUBLICAN STANDPOINT.
On the other hand. Mr.. Quays folks think
that when doubt is confessed to in that local
ity it is pretty good evidence that the democrat
has not been elected But it is not upon this
general assumption, they say, that their claims
are based. All their information from their
friends on the spot is to the effect that the re-
turns, untampered with, will show on their face
that republicans have been elected in Tennes-
see, Louisiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, and
West Virginia, that are claimed or set down as
doubtful by the democrats. As to Rayner's dis
trict in Maryland, it is not denied that the face
of the returns show the election of Stockbridge,
republican. Mr.. Quay and Mr.. Dudley do not
attempt to disguise the fact that they fear the
democrats may attempt to organize the House.
and republicans generally are quite loud in their
expression of suspicion of fear as to the pur-
poses Of their opponents.
WHAT SENATOR HAwLEY SAYS.
Senator Hawley said to STAR reporter to-
day that he had not the least doubt that the
republicans had the house, but that he ex-
pected, or rather feared, that the democrats
would steal it.
The situation will probably remain unchanged
until the certificates are issued.
THE MOST SERIOUS ASPECT OF THE AFFAIR
arises upon the possibility Of the democrats
showing up with a majority of one or three.
There is hardly room for a doubt that feeling
as they do now, the republicans will not per-
NIT the democrats to organize the next House
without resistance. There is much talk of with
drawing and perfecting an organization of their
own under those circumstances. This talk
comes, too, from men who are not in the
habit Of speaking wildly. A very serious sit
uation might arise from both parties claiming
the organization. But the chances are that
this may be avoided by the democrats not
making a very desperate fight to keep control
Many of them are disposed to regard it as to
their advantage to be in the minority, and are
especially opposed to any further resistance to
the admission of new states into the union