Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-09-07
BALANCE OF POWER.
Six PopUuIsT SENATORS MAY con-
TRot THE NEXT SENATE.
The Cestsstsd Seat From Delaware Both
Democrats and RspabIicsns May Angle
For tho Populist vets--Msy Result In .
Deadlock.


Every vote will count on the organiza-
ton Of the next United States senate, and
10 IN still question which political party
will DO In control The returns which are
at hand In Washington show the election
up 10 date Of AZ Republicans, 80 Dem
ocrats and 8 Popu!ists, with one seat In
dispute. That seat II the junior senator
ship from Delaware heretofore held by
Anthony Higgins Republican. Colonel
Du Pont claims 20 have been elected by the
recent Legislature. He is Republican,
and his title ~ the successor Of Mr.. Hig-
gins Is not admitted by the Democrats
aud Is disputed even by one faction Of the
Republicans. His admission or rejection
Will depend upon the vote Of the senators,
and, as the case stands at present, with
only AZ members, the Republicans have
not votes enough % seat him. They could
accomplish this result with the co-Opcra-
tion Of the Populists, but IL IL not at all
probable that the latter, who have keen
eye for political advantage, you'd, by seat
ing Colonel Du Pont, aid In deprivin9 them
selves Of the balance Of power which they
now hold between the two parties.
Should tho Republicans succeed In hay-
ing Colonel Du Pont admitted there will
bc "a full senate Of SO members, 45 being
necessary for "a majority. Without Colonel
Du Pont and with one OF the seats OF Della
ware vacant, the senate would consist OF
81 members, Of whom a. would constitute
"a majority, SO that this disputed senatorial
seat, however the matter may be decided,
would not give the Republicans control Of
the senate. They will In any case be two
votes short and must look for these TO the
Populigts or to an alliance with at least
some OF the Populists
The six Populist senator's are PETER OF
Kansas Allen OF Nebraska, Jones and
Stewart OF Nevada, Butler OF North Caro-
lima and Tillman Of South Carolina. -Four
OF these senators were former Republicans
and two former Democrats, and should
the Populist senators vote ss individuals
the Republicans would probably win.
Should, on the other hand, the six Pop
ulists vote together an alliance with the
Democrats would be much more likely
than one with the Republicans for two
reasons-frst, because large number Of
the Democratic senators have Populistic
leanings, and, second, because for two
years to come the patronage OF tho fcder-
al government will be In the hands Of
Democrats and senators on friendly rela-
tions with the administration can hope for
more for their constituents than senators
who, without the justification Of party
principle, are arrayed against It, Should
the Populist senator's, as some Populist
leaders expect, refuse to make an alliance
with either political party, their former
Republican friends may be unable TO or
ganize the senate and there would be a
deadlock over the offices, with the Pop
ulists in practical control. Control Of the
senate at the next session will outrun the
period of nominations for president in
1896, and for that reason some Republic
ans are reluctant about organizing, and
avow the conviction that they would do
better to remain in minority for another
year than secure control of the senate by
an alliance with Populist members. New
York Sun