St. Paul daily globe., 1892-02-19
BRrCE NoN-CoMMITTAL.
The Ohio Senator Has No Presi
Dental Choice


WASHINGTON, Feb. 1S.-If the reports
in circulation in Washington be
true the alleged triple senate
rial alliance may hereafter be referred
to as the Hill-GOrman combination.
1t has been accepted in Washington all
along-perhaps too unQuestionably-
that some sort of an understanding had
been arrived at by the senatorial trium-
virate, but the terms of the compact, if
one existed, were left entirely for
speculation.
Senator Brice returned from New
York yesterday and took his seat in the
senate. Reports had him in conference
with Senator Hill on several occasions,
but these dispatches did not excite
more than passing comment, mas
much as it was generally be-
lieved that the agreement" was
in practical operation. Senator
Brlce was in communicative mood to-
day. He demurred to replying to only
one question, as to his opinion of Sen
atOr Hill's programme in New York. II
will say" said he, ''that L had no con-
terence with Senator Hill while was in
Newly ork. My mission was not political.
l went over simply to attend to
some private business requiring my at
tention. Now, as to the existence of any
understanding between Senators Hill
and German and myself, that is not so.
l have denied before that such a combi-
nation, so-called. had been formed.
At no time have l committed my
self to Mr.. Hil'S candidacy. Nor
have [ made any pledge to any
candidate. | am not prepared to say at
this time whether Mr.. HIPS nomination
by the Democratic party will be adviS-
oh hot I
to get the Ohio delegation instructed
for Mr.. Hill. The Democrats of Ohio
are not prepared to decide as
to which candidate should be in
dorsed. There is a Cleveland
sentiment in my state, but how strong
it is l am not prepared to say. The
Hill sentiment, however, is not predomi-
nant. The Democrats of Ohio may go
to Chicago in favor of Gov. Campbell,
and then again they may go uninstruct-
ed. But will repeat that have made
no effort to influence the opinion of any
one who is likely to be sent to Chicago.
Il Go not regard MIR Cleveiand's nom
lnatiOn as an impoSSibility. He will
certainly have large number of dele
gates 20 the convention. Ii he can get
the necessary twO-thirds he will 'be
nominated. This may not be an i'm
possibility. | want it understood that
am championing the claims
of no candidate. The convention
will settle the problem. My term as
senator covers the term of the next
president and | have nothing to gain.
l am content to serve the people of
Ohio in the senate. l understand how
all this talk of combination has origi-
mated. 1t dates back TO the speaker
ship contest. The influence of the
alleged alliance was said to have
brought about the defeat of Mr.. Mills,
and i'll the heat OF disappointment his
friends gave currency to the report that
such Il combination was in existence.
This was an erroneous idea. believe
Judge Crisp's personal popularity
did more to effect his election
than anything else. No presidential
question. SO far as l was able to
discover, was involved in the contest.
Now, as to my attitude, think l have
made it pretty clear that l have not
committed myself to Senator Hill. |
certainly am not disposed to mix up in
the New York controversy, and l don't
think MI. German is. Certainly no eX-
| preston has been made, or action taken,
to Indicate anything to the contrary.
The nomination will be made at Chi
cagO."