The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-16
HOW THEY STAND
Just Before the Battle of the
Caucus
On United States Senator Which
Takes Place Tonight.
FOTRRALLOTS LIKELY
But the Choice Not Expected to
Be Made Tonight.
Relative Standing of the Candi-
dates Estfmaed.
FOURBALLOTS LIKELY

We may soon know who is to be the
next United States senator from Kansas.
The Republican members of the legis-
lature will hold their first senatorial eau
cne this evening at the Senate chamber.
The caucus has been called for o'clock
and it is expected that the 105 Repub-
lican members will all be present.
There are 1O6 votes in all III the leg
islature. Senator John M. Price. who
has been sick at his home at Atchison,
managed to get here today but Senator
Thacher will not go into the caucus as
he is a candidate. This leaves the num-
ber to go into the caucus l. 8.
The man who secures the caucus NOM
ination will get at least fifty three votes,
as that number is necessary to choice.
1t is not anticipated, however, that
a nomination will be made to-
night, although some of the younger
members of the legislature are
impatient to have the matter
settled, and after the first few votes will
60 to the man who seems to be likely to
be the winner if an adjournment is not
secured as it probably will be.
The members generally are of the
opinion that there will be several eau
cuses before a candidate for senator is
selected.
Must Show Their Strength.
The first real showing of strength in
the senatorial contest will be made to-
night
There has been no real news in the
situation for two weeks, but now that the
votes are soon to be cast there is great
moving about among the members who
want to vote for the right man.
Many pledges have been made, but
pledges are somewhat uncertain on ac-
count of the secret ballot
1t is admitted that J. R. Burton will
probably lead slightly on the first ballot
Mr.. Burton's friends have counted as
many as forty-four votes. just nine
less than the number required to nomi-
nate him, but the friends of all
the other candidates agree that Mr.. Bur
toms friends were a little wild in their
figures. 1t is, however, conceded that Mr..
Burton may perhaps have about 80 votes
on the first ballot, although the secret vot-
ing may reduce that number very ma.
terially. His friends are not giving out
the strong claims they did several days
ago
Major Hood on First Ballot.
The other candidates admit that Major
Hood will stand second in strength on
the first ballot. As Mr.. Hoods friends
are friendly with the opposition candi
dates and have been cultivating the sec
Ond choice sentiment, he is expected to
get the nomination, although it may not
go to him tonight.
Senator Thacher and Cy Leland are
reckOned about even for third place, and
Mr. Ady will, if the figure makers out
side his own camp are correct. be very
near them.
a. W. Smith still has four votes, but it
was said today that Mr.. Smiths forces
are about to divide even between two
other candidates.
State Senator Milton Brown sprang
something of a sensation a few minutes
before noon today in the senate when he
announced that he had received peti
tions from twentT-three places in the
nineteen counties IN his district, which
were numerously signed asking hin
TO vote for John j. TneaIl.
for United States senator in case
of deadlock, or if the circumstan
ces should be favorable to the selection
of some one other than the announced
candidates for senator Senator Brow
was refused the privilege of fling thes,
petitions in the senate
Senator Browns Petitions.
An examination of the petitions re
ceived by Senator Brown favoring In
gals showed that two were from HamiI
ton county, five from Kearney, four from
Finney, one from Hodgeman, one from
Edwards, one from Rush, one from Ness
one from Scott one from Wichita, on
from Greeley, one from Gray, one from
Grant and two from Stanton.
The counties in Senator Browns dis
trict not represented in the petitions ar
Pawnee, Lane, Haskell, Morton an,
Seward Senator Brown did not sa
what he intended to do about the matte
and it is not known whether the rep
resentatives from these counties hav
received similar instructions or not. a
they have not said anything about it.
1t Is thought that ingalls, will ger tw
votes on the first ballot and it is possibl
that Judge Horton will get two. Tn
Ingalls, sentiment will be watched will
interest