The Portland daily press., 1892-01-02
Sherman and Foraker Men Equally
Confident of Success.
FORAKER MAKES A SENSATION BY
DECLARING FOR BLAINE.
The Result Now Seems To Be in the
Hands of Men Who Are Waiting To
Hear from Their Constituents-Of
These Doubtful Ones, Each Side Claims
wo-Thirds-Foraker's Freedom and
Sherman's Reserve.

o-Thirds-Foraker's Freedom anC
Shermans Reserve.
COLUMBUS, o., January 1.-The pres
ence here of a great many federal officers
from Washington and different parts ot
the state is a feature of the senatorial
contest. Among those from Washington
are Assistant Postmaster General Whit
ford, Sixth Auditor Boulter. and Major
Rathbone. Besides these there are o
great many federal officers from differ
ent parts of the state, all of whom are
here in the interest of Senator Sherman.
The contest has more than ever taken
upon itself the appearance of an admin
lstration and anti-administration contest.
Senator Sherman being on the side of the
administration forces. 1t is indicated
that Governor Mckinley is taking hand
in the contest in Senator Sherman's in
terest. 1t is altogether probable that
Mr.. Mckinley is using his appointing
power for securing vote here and there
for Senator Sherman. The headquarters
of both candidates are crowded with
people, but the Foraker headquarters
show more noisy enthusiasm. All
callers at the governors rooms have
chance to speak with him and shake
hands At the Sherman Headquarters it
is different. Senator Sherman is in a
closed room, and only those with whom
he has business, or wishes to see, are adj
admitted. The general feeling seems to
be today everywhere, except among
those who are identified with the Fora
ker movement, that the Shermanstrength
is developing in the contest, and will re-
suit in his election by majority of four
or five votes on the first ballot. 1t is
thought that neither side will authorize
list of names of their supporters. The
question of when the caucus shall be
held is now agitated. The Foraker men
are anxious for an early caucus, and it
was rumored last night that an effort
would be made to have the caucus meet
tomorrow, but that will hardly be done,
although the members will be here then
beyond doubt The anxiety of the
Foraker men for an early caucus indi-
Gates that they are afraid of their forces
weakening. -
There will be 90 Republicans in the
caucus and of this number it is conceded
by both sides that Sherman and For
aker each have about AZ or 43 votes de
flnitely pledged. Each side positively
claims to have secret pledges of fully
two-thirds of the doubtful members but
these gentlemen themselves state that
they are awaiting to hear fully from
their constituents. Both candidates ap-
pear equally confident of election. The
House caucus to nominate the speaker
and minor officials and the Senate caucus
to nominate the president pro tempore
and subordinate officers will be held
tomorrow afternoon and evening. After
they are over, the doubtful members, it
is asserted, will all declare themselves
on the senatorial question.
The contest took sensational turn
tonight when Ex-Governor Foraker made
a speech critisizing the alleged intefer-
ference of the national administration
and declaring for James G. Blaine for the
In his Speech, Mr.. Foraker said: ''Our
present president has given us a good
but if the people of
Ohio should take notion that James G.
Blaine should be the nominee, Tgreat
we will try and accept that,
and it he should be named, we will
triumphantly elect him. Cheers. And
when he shall have been elected, we will
have in the White House the greatest of
all living Americans" Tremendous
applause.
Great excitement was created late to-
night by the announcement that Repre-
sentative Dicks had openly declared for
Sherman. This is break in the Hamil-
ton county delegation which was hereto
fore claimed TO be solid for Foraker.