Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-15
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPArcz.,

against Foraker.
ESPECIAL rKLEeRAM TO THE DrsPArcH.l
COLUMBUS, February 14.-The Demo
Gratis of the Ohio Legislature are still in a
state of nervous anxiety over the proposed
action of Congress. and possible interfer-
ence with their gerrymander Of the State for
Congressional purposes. They have met so
many annoyances in their efforts to perfect
a bill, that the Congressional interference
only has tendency to add to the complexity
of the situation. The majority spent nearly
whole week in almost nightly caucuses in
an effort to agree upon a measure, but they
were flooded with SO many propositions that
they found it impossible to reach q result
where there were so many conflicting in
terests and aspirations.
The result was that a joint committee was
constituted to codiiy and condense the nu-
merous bills which had been offered, and
even this committee were unable to agree,
the result being that subcommittee was
appointed to take the matter in hand. Sew
eral Of the more recent delays have been at
the request of outside parties, who desired
to be heard.
ALL ARE AN xIoUs.
In the last day or two the city has been
favored with the presence of numerous lead
ing Democrats who came in the interests of
Colonel Brlce and others who have been
prominent in State and National politics, in
the hope of having their special friends
recognized.
There are several reports as to what has
been accomplished, but the most reliable is
that the subcommittee, as we'll as the joint
committee, reached a conclusion In general
terms which will give the Democracy II re-
liable districts in the State and which will
be doubtful, each to Cincinnati and Cleve-
land. The IL districts are constituted out
side these two cities.
There is so much dissatisfaction among
the Democrats with the plan agreed upon
that there is a possibility it will not meet
with the unanimous favor of the caucus, and
it may be some days before a bill is intro
duced which will command the party sup
port. The Democrats expect, however, they
will be able to put the bill through next
week.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
While all substantial features have been
agreed upon, there are so many strong in
huences being brought to bear that the re-
districting bill is subject to change, and
there is no certainty as to the definite out
lines OF the districts until the bill has passed
both branches and is beyond the possibility
of an amendment
The final and most exciting caucus which
has been held took place last night and
lasted till an early hour hour this morning.
1t is the first conference at which there was
anything approaching a full attendance of
ho Tok odU 0f
feature strong effort was made tn reach an
agreement. The joint committee which had
the preparation of bill in charge, did not
get their measure before the caucus without
considerable trouble among themselves.
Three of the members of the committee re-
fused to sign the report, and said they would
not vote for the bill as framed under any
They finally, however, con-
sented that the bill might go before the
caucus under a threat from Senator Gaumer,
oil the GAINESVILLE district, that in case the
bill which had been prepared was not sup
ported, he would refuse to vote for any bill,
but would insist on the districts remaining
as they are at present, which gives him
district with about g. 900 majority.
PROSPECTIVE coNGREssM EN-.
After the bill had been placed before the
caucus everybody wanted to talk, and it de-
veloped that nearly all the members wanted
to go to Congress. Senator Gaumer, in his
defense of the report OF the committee,
stated that they had undertaken to do that
which was for the best interests of the party
at large, and wanted to make the districts so
that any reasonably honest candidate might
be elected if he secured the nomination, and
not be at the expense of making losing
fight for want of sufficient margin.
He was opposed to districts being fixed up
for any OF the members of the Legislature if
it interfered with the strength of the dis
tricts. He claimed that the committee had
taken the average of the votes cast in 1884,
1886 and 1885, and their calculations in
forming the districts had been based upon
these figures. He was of opinion that they
mad made as many reliable districts as could
be with the material at hand.
Notwithstanding these explanations a
strong fight was made against the bill, and
It was especially opposed by Senator
Adams. The friends of the measure finally
concluded they would put the bill through |
1uder the previous question gag, but as this
net with such strong opposition, it was |
ound the life of the bill would be endan- !
.ered, and the motion was Withdrawn.
ANOTHER COMPLICATION.
Another disturbing element in the caucus,
md one Wn1cn DlQS Ialr 70 make as much |
rouble as that of agreeing upon a satisfac-
ory measure, Is the fact that the Hamilton
ounty members refuse to cooperate unless
he caucus will first agree to the repeal of |
he Owen Sunday law. Only about half the
county members were in the eau
us last night, and they withdrew early.
The proceedings of the entire night re-
ulted in an adjournment to Monday even.
ng at o'clock, when the caucus will again
make an effort to come together in their
-iews. In the meantime the joint commit
he, having heard the expressions of the
members, will try and frame another bill to
meet the most urgent Of the demands.
The bill reported last night places Con-
Grosvenor and Thompson In Re
,ublican districts and Major Mckinley in
Democratic district. These are about the
My striking aud suggestive features OF the
ILL It's detail would be tiresome, in view
the fact that it is subject to material
hange and stands no showing of becoming
law in its present shape.