Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-04
oudencs % The Evening star.

rHf CONTEST.
csrr-spoudsnes of The Evening star
BosToS. Jan. 2. 1898.
There NAV be more involved in the contest
for speaker Of the next Massachusetts Iegisls-
turs than the republican politician. have ys'
dreamed Of in their philosophy Until a feu
DAYS ago il was regarded practically certain
that VIM T. Barrett having dropped the seus-
torisl plum 20 save his sp-akership bacon
would be reelected 10 the chair he has illed fol
the past four yesrs- True. Frank P Bennett, q
young and popular member of the House. had
declared himself a candidate for the speaker
ship. but IL did not seem likely that be would
prove more formidable than other aspirants
-hc had fallen before Mr.. Barrett with his
meagsr force Of republicans and his solid phs-
LAM Of democrats
But recently the Bennett boom has shown
unexpected strength Campaign headquarters
have been opened in the fremont House and q
vigorous ight commenced. The Bennett com
mittes. Alfred :. Roe. Nahlon r. Leonard and
Augustus @. Perkins, realize fully that the
sevsuty-one democratic votes viii 60 for Barrett
II thew have . chance. Their only hope, then,
10 % -olidify the republican ranks in Bennett 8
support. and they hope to do this by . caucus
They that 20 Of the 1863 republicans are al
ready for Bennett and that would secure him
the republican nomination IL the legislators
can be cOrrall.d IN q caucus The hope OF doing
thi- /. streng hsned BY the resolution Of the re-
publican state convention declaring for sena-
torisl caucus.
HTS important to hold . caucus for the
nomination Of senator why. II Is urged, isn't 10
lust .. initial to hold for the selection Of
= party candidate for speaker?
Thi- argument has had It's effect, especially
upon msmbers weo we're chosen on the caucus
Ledge issue. Ii is pretty certain now that
there will be Q caucus despite Mr. Barrstts re-
luctanes. The only danger Is that there may be
two Of them
ROW MR. BZSSrTT REGARDS IT.
Mr. Bennett speaking OF the situation, said:
I'VE have bssn snxious from the start to
have . caucus Of the republican members to
nominate . candidate for speaker We thought
the speaker should be elected BY republican
votes. A circular was sent out by our com
mittee asking members ~ they would attend a
caucus. and when sufficient number of re-
plies we're received to indicate that II was the
wish of the party that = caucus should be held
I called upon Mr.. Barrett to confer with him
about it.
Il asked Mr. Barrett; to sign the call FOR a
caucus for Tuesday evening. January 3. He
refused. saying he had an engagement for that
evening asked him then IL he would agree
TO a caucus or Wednesday morning, January T.
before the assembling OF the legislature. He
said be would take the proposition under con
sidersiion- II IL was decided to have a caucus,
In b.. opinion. forty-eisht hours notice was
suffcisnt. He added that some friepds of his
we're Of the opinion that no caucus was neces-
sary. That 10 all our interview amounted to-
wow, We believe that II . caucus Is held on
Wednesday morning the time will be made
quAis IL IL Is called at 10 clock IL Is likely TO
be half hour later before il is organized. IL
the rush Of things TO get through in thirty min
utes the in:erjection OF Subsidiary matter might
throw the principal object aside. We know
that there are quite n number OF members who
are honestly in favor OF a caucus on Wednesday
morning To have il at that time is q matter
Of convenience. But most Of the men who
want a morning caucus are not very much con-
cerued about a full and free expression Of
opinion They don't favor the proposition
from snv such motive All that We want Is q
fair show and honorable treatment IL . ma
iori;y OF the party decides in favor Of Wednes-
day morning Of course we shall ac9uiesee."
Mr. sARRETTs oBJEcTIoS TO Caucus.
Directly after the interview to which Mr.
Bennett refers Mr.. Barrett rolled up his edi-
torial sleeves and sent q letter to his opponents
managers declining to sign the call for a
Gus next Tuesday evening in the green room at
the state house.
In tn course Of the adroit epistls he said:
The republican members three years ago.
although there then a wide diversity of
opinion upon n. time held a house caucus the
night before the legislature met Seven mem
bers we're unable 10 be present, and after the
business Of the meeting had been transacted it
seemed 90 be the general opinion that evening
calcu-es were an unnecessary inconvenience.
This year | AIN informed that several republi-
can members Of the house. owing 70 various
causes would be unable 20 attend such a meet
ing. which Is serious objection to II. Last
fridav the Essex county republican members
held meeting at which they voted that thew
would hSe 70 nave republican meeting N the
morning Of the assembling Of the legislature.
Thl- would be natural time and would result
IN . large attendance. such a meeting shall in
respon-e 70 their request be glad to attend. and
presume that the other republican members
viii feel the same way. Al that meeting repub-
hcsn member. can take such action as seems
best 20 themselves"
10 looks now a. II Mr.. Bennett would have
caucus all By himself and Mr.. Barrett would
do LIKEWISE. Unless the Bennett caucus wins a
verv large majority OF republicans Tuesday
night II looks a. II Mr.. Barrett would De chosen
on "Wednesday. for Is soon ~ be goes into the
house the democrats will 70 TO him ike a flock
% sheep.
LoD0E Not ~ THE TIsHr.
The enemies Of Henry Cabot Lodge are skill
fully eulnvating the impression that he is be-
hind the Bennett movement. On the contrary,
~ - eH9tahorsd 20 Aecp Out OF tnc contest
entirely. Complications may follow in the SEN
storisl hght II the Bennett caucus be erro-
neolsiy taken A. the measure of the Lodge
streagth- Mr.. Lodges crafty opponents are
using every effort TO link Ny. Lodge and Mr.
Bennett together in the public mind in order
that. II Mr.. Bennett is defeated. Mr.. Lodge may
have the handicap Of seeming to be worssed in
the preliminary skirnish
There are rival candidates for sergeant-at-
arms Of the house. Mr.. James ]. Mahoney
coming Onward With q strong backing for the
place which Capt Jack" Adams now has and
wishes 70 keep. aud other minor positions are in
dispute. Rev. Mr. Ball OF Upton is mentioned
Tor chaplain against the candidacy Of Rev. ID.
W. wsldron. the present incumbent.
Democrats view al these minor contests with
CON Piaeency. They only hope that the lines of
battle viii be so drawn to lead AWAY some of
NJ Lodge : forces IN the senatorial campaign.
But the valiant cohorts are so well organized
that there seems little danger OF this. Still
there 10 LITTLE doub: that the Lodge captains
oil feel easier . week hence IL the organization
OF the legislature Is Effected without narring
the harmony that ought TO rule the relations Of