Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-01-06
Gossip from Washington

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-The battle fol
the control of the United States Senate
begins with the new year. The Legis
latures of many States convene within
the next few days, when the selections
of United States Senators is their first
duty. In some of these States, such
as New York, New Jersey, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Tennes'
see, the contest is merely one among
men, and it has no bearing upon the
political complexion of the next
United States Senate. But in six OF
the contests of the West-Wyomlng.
Montana, Nebraska, California, Kan
sas and Nevada-there is battle royal
which involves not only men but the
control of the United States Senate.
More than that, the determination OF
these contests will have an important
bearing on the future tariff legislation
Of the country and upon the strength
Of the coming administration.
The Senators who are certain OF
seats after March 4 number as follows:
Democrats Al, Republicans 80, Popu.
lists 2. The forty-one Democrats are
made up of those who hold over or
who come from States which have GER
tain Democratic Legislatures. In ad.
dition to these the new Senators from
New York and Wisconsin are in.
Guided. The thirty nine Republicans
are made up of those who hold over or
who represent States certain to choose
Repu blican Senator'S The two
Populists, PETER and Kyle, hold
over until 1897. These figures
are the basis from which the
various parties must start in their cal
culations on securing control Of the
next Senate. The total mem bership OF
the Senate is lightweight, so that
fortyfive is a majority. 1t is necessary
therefore for the Democrats to secure
a total Of fortv-four Senator's which,
with the vote of Vice President Steven.
son, will give them the requisite forty
five votes over Republicans and Popu-
lists combined. On the other hand,
the Republicans must have the full
fortyfive votes. The Populists OF
course have no chance of securing a
majority, but their hope of power rests
in keeping both the Republicans and
d mocrats below the requisite forty
five votes, so that the few Populist
Senators will hold the balance Of
power.
From the foregoing it is evident that
the situa ton which confronts the
three parties IS summed up thus: To
insure continuance of Republican
control of the Senate the Republicans
must carry all of the six doubtful Sen
atorial contests. To insure Demo
cratic control of the Senate the Demo
Gratis must carry at least three Of the
six doubtful Senatorial contests. To
insure Populist balance of power in
the Senate the Populists must carry
at least four of the six doubtful Sena-
torial contests. 1t is upon the fulfill
ment of one of the three foregoing
propositions that the future of the
Senate depends.
It is evident that the Republicans
are at the greatest disadvantage, for
they must carry every one of the six
doubtful contests. To carry five or
less than five would leave them at the
mercy of the Popullsts.
The main hope of the Republicans is
conferred on Montana, Wyoming and
California, where their chances of sue
cess or defeat are about even. They
are expressing faint hopes of success
in Kansas, Nebraska and Nevada, but
it is not a hope warranted by the facts.
1t is as good as certain before the Sem
atorial contest opens the Republicans
will not secure their requisite six and
that the control of the Senate will
pass out of their hands.
The real contests of the next few
weeks will be between the Democrats
and Populists. The necessary three
which the Democrats must have are
looked for from Montana, Wyoming
and California, as it is about conceded
that the Populists will make their best
showing in Kansas, Nebraska and
Nevada. If the Democrats secure the
three States first named the complex
ion of the next Senate is settled as
Democratic. If they lose any one OF
the three it practically settles that the
Populists will hold the balance OF
power.