St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-13
LACKS TWENTY VOTES.
In Bismarck 1t Is the Field
Against Pierce.

Special to the Globe.
BISMARCK, n. D., Jan. 12.-The iE-
terest in the fight for senator increases
hourly, and the contestants are at fever
heat in controversy for their favOrite
candidates. The fight has advanced to
such an extreme that almost all mem
bers have been drawn into the squabble,
and so many have expressed their pref
erences that figures as to the relative
standing of the candidates may be
ventured with an approximate regard
for the truth. 1t is conceded on all
sides that the candidates stand about as
follows: Pierce 81, Hansbrough IL,
Mckenzie faction 16. Democrats "a. The
remaining thirteen votes are scattered
between Miller, Muir, Lounsberry and
Ball. 1t will thus be seen that
Pierce leads with 81 votes, but as AZ
votes are needed to elect, he yet lacks
20 votes of being senator. If all the
factions of the Republicans go into a
party caucus and agree to settle their
differences there Pierce will have to Sc
cure but more votes i'm order to have
majority of all the Republican votes.
There are SO Republican votes, and
Pierce is estimated to have at least 81.
If, therefore, he can secure votes more
he will have dead cinch on the Repub-
lican caucus.
AS the contest now stands, it is plain
ly the field against Pierce. A very sub
Stantial recognition of this factis shown
by recent movement of the field candi-
dates in starting an evening paper here
in this city, the editorial guns of which
are turned full on Pierce, and are daily
pouring broadsides of hot shot into his
stronghold. 1t is not exactly known who
is furnishing the brains or the Doodle
for this move, but the paper abuses
Pierce and booms Hansbrough.
Gov. Miller, LOunsberry, Smith
Stimmel, Col. Plummer and all
who are supposed to have any senatorial
vitality or senatorial ambition. The
fact that Senator Pierce is picked out
solely and alone as target of attack
would seem to indicate that he is not
''ln it," and the attacks are so strong
upon him that they may prove BOOM
erang to those Interested in the move by
creating sympathy where it is intended
to carry destruction. The fight is so
hot and feeling so strong that it is
doubtful If Republican caucus can be
secured. and in the event that the
fight is carried into open ses-
SION, the twenty-four Democrats will
undoubtedly have .kc power to name
the man if they will stand together.
Whether they wilrdo this remains TO be
seen. If caucus nominee is selected
who will poll the full Democratic
strength it is not impossible that con-
tingency may arise by which he may be
elected to the United States senate. The
fight among the present Republican
candidates is fight to the finish, and
unless some new candidate comes in
who can unite the factions, a Democrat
may get there.
In view of these facts, the Importance
to the Democratic party of this state
that its representatives in this legiSla-
ture shall name Democratic candidate
who will poll the full strength of the
party cannot be overestimated. 1T may
be a crisis In the history of the
Democratic party Of the state of
North Dakota, and the situation
should receive the gravest de-
liberation. Capt. d. w. Maratta has
been resident of this state for nine
teen years, and has given the best SER
vice of his life to Democratic principles.
He cannot be said to be dress-parade
Democrat, nor Democrat for revenue
only, as during his long period Of resi-
dence here he has performed pioneer
service for his party principles without
remuneration and without nope or re-
ward. The present effective organiza-
tion of the party in this state is largely
due to his individual efforts, and the
Democratic gains in all parts of North
Dakota at the last election, as is EVIL
denced by the unprecedented number
of Democratic members of the present
legislature. cannot be wholly accounted
for, without taking into consideration
his tireless efforts as chairman of the
Democratic state central committee last
year. If Capt. Maratta is made the
Democratic nominee for the United
States senate, he will hold every Demo
cratic vote in this legislature in solid
lump which can be hurled into the dis
ordered ranks of the Republicans with
force that will scatter them and break
their power to name senator. And he
deserves the nominati on.