The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-04
THE OHIO CONTEST.
C0mplacsnt Expectancy on Ono Side.
Eternal Hope ON the other.

SD
CoIuMsus. Jan. 3.--Ihe Sabbath hAa been
respected BY the senatorial contestants and
O temporary armiBtice declared In tho great
political battle which has waged 80 vipor-
ously for the past few weeks. Both Semi
tor sherman and exc Governor Foraker have
remained on tho ground, but the day was
ona of inactivity 30 far ns their lieutenants
were concerned. The sudden inaetion, the
Foraker mon say. is but the calm which
precades the storm. Tho Sherman men
say it is the rigor mortis Of I'm expiring
cause. 10 tho friends Of the distinguished
senator the battle is fought and won; to
the adnerents Of Foraker the political at
lnosphere 10 laden with hopeful augury and
strange results. Thus tho situation to-
night IL ono Of complacent expectancy ON
one hand and eternal hope on the other,
while the impression is certainly gensral
among Impartial lookers-on at Columbus
that the speaketghlp contest was fought
upon senatorial lines and its result
must be accepted ns indicating sher-
OF Foraker still maintain that
several Foraker men voted for Laylin, and
that these, together with this votes Foraker
will get in tho senate, will be sufficient to
give him ths nomination. Foraker's man-
ayers assert that the ex-governor will have
Conceding sherman fourteen in the senate
and admitting the Foraker claims in the
house, Sherman's vote would stand, in the
house thirty-two, III the senate fourteen,
total forty-six. This would leave Senator
Sherman one short of nomination, For
aker three short, and Dicks and Welsh
holding the balance OF power, but unable to
do more than create tic between Sherman
md Foraker should they vote for the latter.
According to other Foraker claims, the ex-
governor will have thirty-eight in the house
and seven iii the senate, total forty five.
Foster will have one and Mckinley one. 1t
will thus be seen that the admission Of Idan
to the caucus might have an important ef-
feet on tho result But the Foraker people
claim at least eight in the senate, which, il
verified along with the claim of thirty eight
in the house, would reverse thing and give
Foraker forty-sx and Sherman 45. Then il
Iden be not admitted Sherman's vote would
aker, or one of Sherman's men going to
him, would give him the required forty
seven.
These are the views at the Foraker head
quarters but they are derided by the Sher-
man people and treated as mirth-provokinR
pretentions. The senator's friends are
loudly saying tonight that he will have a
majority Of not less than fourteen votes in
caucus and profess Willingness to have
either an open or secret ballot as Foraker
desires. They say the loud claims of the
Foraker managers are made with the hope
of keeping his followers loyal to him in
order that he may go down in the caucus
state that pledge has been drawn Tint is
iron-clad in its nature, and those devoted
to the cause of the ex-governor are being
asked to sign it. BY its terms the support
ers OF the ex-governor agree to remain true
to his candidacy until he wins or loses, and
not to weaken or Waver in the slightest de-
gree. The Foraker managers DENY that
such a document is in existence or is de-
manded to secure the continued loyalty Of
the ex-goyernor's supporters. Senator
Parker, Of Cleveland, who has been osten-
sibly in tho doubtful List. bnt generally
counted in the Foraker list, formally de
clared Tonight for Foraker. It has been
torlal caucus Tuesday instead Of Thursday
night. It is generally agreed between the
Sherman and the Foraker men that the few
members remaining doubtful will be ready,
or forced to declare by that time. and that
there will be no advantage to either side to
prolong the contest.
Considerable excitement was caused to-
night bv Report that the Foraker senators
was to prevent Iden taking part in the eau
Gus or being seated over Gaumer, his demo-
cratic competitor, until after the senatorial
matter WAS settled. Iden is for Sherman.
The Sherman senators arc prepared to seat
lden tomorrow, The Foraker men expect
the aid of the democratic senators, who do
not wish Iden seated at all. 1t is said to-
night that they have assured the Foraker
men that they will support the movement
to keep Iden out on condition that Gaume1
is eventually seated. The ex-governor's
friends are unwilling to accept this. but
promise TO decide the contest between Iden
and Gaumer on non-partisan grounds.