The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-14
Mr.. PaImer's Candidacy.

Hon. Henry w. Palmer, Of Wilkes
Rarre has been somewhat extensively
interviewed recently on the subject or
his candidacy for United States SENATOR
and these interviews brought out the
fact that he is not an avowed aspirah'
for senatorial honors at this time. with
Characteristic frankness he said he pro-
posed to give the matter further con-
sideration and ascertain the actual IN
wardness of the situation before max
ing his decision. BY this Mr.. Palmer
doubtless intended to convey the idea
that if the senatorship remained open
TO all comers and was free-for-aii
contest, he might take his chances with
the other aspirants. If, on the other
hand there should be an apparent con-
centration of the potent leaders on some
one candidate he would remain out OF
the fight. That is probably the status
of a considerable number of those VINO
have announced themselves as canol-
dates. BY reason of his recently en-
phasized powers in the leadership OF
Senator Quay is, by many Republicans
regarded as the man who will practic-
ally name the successor of Senator CAM
eron. At all events. this idea is con-
stantly advanced. 1t may be that this
comedies excessive and undue influence
to Senator Quay, but there is not the
slightest doubt that the aspirant for the
senatorship who Is so fortunate as to be
able to command the support OF the
Junior senator will have a tremendous
advantage over all competitors. we as
sumo that If Senator Quay were to MAKE
it apparent that he will use all his IN
fiuence in behalf Of any one of the an
nounced candidates two-thirds, If not
a larger proportion, of all the others
would abandon the contest as hopeless.
1t is highly probable that nearly every
ayowed aspirant for the senatorship
conditions his candidacy on the expec-
tation that Senator Quay will either
support him or refrain from all active
participation in the contest The latter
contingency might as well be aband-
oned. for nothing can be more certain
than that Senator Quay will have a de-
cided preference as to who should be his
colleague in the senate, and that he will
exert all the influence at his command
in behalf of his own choice. Senator
Cameron, too, will have a preference.
and If his choice should not be the same
ha
full candidates. but Quay's man would
still be the more hopeful, unless the
state administration were to swing in
and fight a second battle with Quay.
That is a contingency perhaps out Of the
question.
General Palmer is a man of keen per-
ception and does not rush headlong into
the senatorship contest Before he
takes the field he will ascertain just
what support he would be able to COM
mand. The contest has not yet taken
definite shape and will not for several
months. Candidates may announce
themselves and the press and politicians
may discuss these candidates, but all
this amounts to nothing. sThe lines will
not be formed until the members of the
next Legislature are elected, and then
the situation will be rapidly changed.
Aspirants now in the field will disappear
and by the. time the legislature meets
possibly not more than one or two will
remain. General Palmer takes the sem
sible view Of the situation.