Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-04
THE ESENATORIALFIGHT.
A Temporary Armed Armistice De-
clared Over Sunday.
THE EIGHT WHO HAVE REFRAINED
From Making Public Declaration for Either Can
didate for the Senatorship Are the Cause Of all
the Anxiety and Waiting Parker
Goes to Foraker-Shernan Safe,

COLUMBUS, ONO, January 3.-The
Sabbath day has been reverently re-
sDected by the Senatorial contestants
aud temporary armistice has been de-
clared in the great political battle
which has waged so vigorously for the
past few weeks. Both Senator Sher-
man and ex-Gov. Foraker have re-
manned on the ground, but the day has
been one of inactivity go FAR as their
lieutenants are concerned.
This sudden inaction, the Foraker
men say, is but the calm which pre-
ce6es the storm; the lull which precedes
the fury OF the battle while the Sher-
man men say that il is the rigor lmor-
It's of an expiring cause; the dead
silence which precedes the last convui-
sive gasp Of a dying ambition. To the
friends of the distinguish Senator
the battle is fought and won; TO the
adherents of the eloquent Foraker, the
political atmosphere Is laden with hope
full augury and in the future will de-
velOp strange results.
Thus, the situation tonight is one OF
complacent expectancy on the one hand,
of eternal hope on the other. The
American public, whose interest in this
contest is probably without parellel In
the great Senatorial battles OF years
gone by, quite naturally asks, why is
the result longer in doubt?" Why,
with every member OF the General AS
sembIy on the field, or available, cannot
the positive declarations of the men
who are TO decide this question take
the place OF the blatant phrophesy or
political managers and tell how this
battle is going.
The answer to this question is, that or
the ninety-three Republican Assembly
men no less than eight have refraiDed
from public declaration OF preference,
and of these three-fourths have unques-
tionably given pledges TO both sides,
and are now at home seeking petitions
or "public sentiment" to break the
pledge which they tiud most irksome
and respect the one which meets their
personal desires.
The diplomatic battle which has been
waged so unremittingly for months past
has resulted in many entanSllng al
lianceS. Men, in order to win the favor
of the factions in which the party was
divided before the elections, found 1t
eXpedient TO pronounce pledges OF fe-
atty to the partisans Of both candidates,
and these promises are now most em-
barrassing. They have postponed the
evil day to the utmost limit and the
hour of delivery is at hand.
In the vain attempt still to wear the
shifting masks OF DR.. Jeckyl and Mr..
HYDE tney are now suggesting that the
Senatorial question should be decided
by secret l1llot in the coming caucus.
Should this plan be carried out they
hope TO escape the volumes OF opprO-
brium which otherwise will certainly
be heaped upon them from the faction
they dlsappoint.
1t has been practically determined to
hold the senatorial causus Tuesday
night instead of Thursday night: 1t is
generally agreed between the Sherman
and Foraker men that the few members
remaining doubtful will be ready or
forced to declare by that time, and
there will be no advantage to either
side to prolong the contest,
Senator Wilbur Parker, of Cleveland,
who has been oStensibly in the doubtful
list, but generally counted in the For
oker list, formally declared tonight as
follows:
''To Hon. Joseph 3. Foraker Neil House.
DEAR SII-I have been considers-
bly, embarrassed by the circumstances
surrounding the Senatorial question.
II have taken time TO consider the
matter carefully and l have come TO the
conclusion that obey the wish OF a
majority Of my constituents and best
perform my duty by casting my ballot
for J. b. Foraker for United States Sen
ator. This have decided to do.
"(Signed) WILBUR PARKEE."
BE had, however, been classed with
Foraker's supporters, so it does not
change the situation.
Sherman's election is now believed to
be assured.