The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-01-18
UNITED STATES sENAroRsHIP.
Rumors That Coke Will Not be Candidate
for Re- Election.
Special to The Statesman.

Special to The Statesman.
WACO, Jan. 10.-Another interesting
phase is given to the political situa-
ton in the state by statement that
Senator Coke has determined not to
seek reelection and will retire from
the senatorship at the close OF his
present term. This information
was first given out in a con-
versation a few days ago
by close and intimate friends OF the
senator, but q short time ago 1T was
conceded that the senator would be
his own successor, and the feeling pre-
vailed that he sought the Office. 81
| late. however, q change seems to have
come over the situation and IS not III
| frequently the statement has been
made that he will not again seek the
Office. The reporter was today in
formed by one of the leading
citizens OF Waco that he had
recently conversation with one of
Senator Coke's closest friends and in
whom the senator places the greatest
confidence, in which the statement
was made to the correspondents in
formant that "Old Brains" would not
be a candidate again and had posi-
! lively determined to retire from the
senate. The statement has been
quietly whispered about and the cir
cumstances and conditions under
which it was made have caused it
TO be readily accepted, In fact it is
understood that the statement was
made with the authority of Senator
Coke.
In connection with the announce
ment of Senator COke's friends is the
statement that in the event that he
should seek the Office he will be cord.
tally supported by Governor Hogg,
who would take the stump for him.
However such a condition is not likely
to arise, in view of the well authenti-
Gated report of the senator's intention.
| With the retirement of Senator Coke
the question of HE successor naturally
presents itself and in this connection
| Governor Hogg comes to the front in
| the discussion which follows the belief
hat Senator Coke will retire and it
seems to be conceded that he will en-
I ter the senate, provided of Course, the
legislature elects him.
The cause OF the change in what
was a short time ago considered a fixed
| program is not clear and not little
interesting speculation and guessing
are INDUCED in. All sorts of rumors of
! bargains and combinations down to
wild and improbable theories are adj
vanced There are many, however,
who are 10th to accept the story of
| Senator Coke's intention to retire, and
in the absence of public statement
concerning it all are inclined to deny.
! however, the matter comes to the cor
respondent as reported above and it is
met with not a little credence.
In connection with the statement
that an understanding had been
reached between Coke and Governor
HOgg, whereby the former is to
retire in favor of the latter,
is reviewed 1t is expected by those
VINO express the opinion that Senator
Coke will decline to be candidate for
re- election, that the question of his
successor will not be at all one sided.
| Already the friends of eX-GOv. Sui
Ross are mentioning his name
for the Office, and express
the opinion that if he can be
induced to enter the contest he can
capture the prize. They point to his
excellent reoroG, good standing with
both wings Of the party, his thousands
of personal friends all over the state,
his election as commander OF the state
Confederate veterans over General
Cabell, who out ranked him, and
his many other points OF
strength and availability. From re-
marks which have been made lately it
seems as if an effort will be made to
induce Ex-Gov, Ross to be a candi-
date there are not few of his
friends who are al eady backing
him as winner in the
next senatorial election. 1t has been
stated all along by many that it was
either Senator Coke or Governor HOgg
for the senatorship, but the introduce
ton OF Ex-Governor Ross into the
- I I NN.,,,., 30