Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-18
Three Prominent Names Causing a
Good Deal of Gossip.
MESSRS. ELKINS, DAVIS ANDH. EVANS
What Each One Of the Three
Really Desires.
OF POLITICIAN S

The names of Mr. Stephen B. Elkins of
West Virginia, Senator Davis Of Minnesota
and Mr.. H Clay Evans of Tennessee are
subjects of considerable gossip among re-
publican politicians at this time. Mr..
Elkins and Mr.. Evans are generally credit
ed with entertaining vice presidential as
pirations. Senator Davis, 1t is thought,
has another ak to grind, but will adopt
the same methods that the other two use
in accomplishing his purpose.
Within the past few weeks distinct
Elkins boom has made its appearance.
1t poses now as a presidential boom, but
all politicians are agreed that this is merely
a suhterfuge. and that 1t is the second
place on the national ticket upon which
Mr.. Elkns has designs and not the first
place. 1t Is the general idea shat Mr..
Elkins, while very glad to hold the position
of United States Senator. would prefer
sitting at the head Of the Senate to being
merely a member of that august body.
They probably think it likely he could
have the senatorship any time that he
wanted it If ne should decide to relinQuish
1t temporarily.
Plan of the Ell<ins Boom.
The PLAZA of the Elkins boom for the vice
presidency, as understood among politicians
of the national capital, IS this: That he
is to go into the national convention as
candidate for the presidential nomination
ard with sufficient strength to make it an
object to others to trade with him. 1t would
be necessary of course for him to control
several delegations, capital with which to
do business, and it Is to obtain this capital
that his friends are now said to be labor
ing 1t is claimed that Mr.. Elkins can
secure the support Of the West Virginia,
Maryland, Virginia and New Mexico dele
cations, forming nucleus around which
he might gather other southern and west
ern contingents. The West Virginia dele
cation Will be his for the asking, Of course.
The effort to get the Maryllnd men would
be made through Mr.. EIkins extensive
business relations with prominent republi-
cans of that state. The Virginia deieSa-
ton would be worked upon in the same
way, and on the ground of being West
Virginia's near neighhor and of Mr.. Elkins
posing as southern republican. New
Mexico and probably one other western
delegation would be shared with business
lines.
Backed by these delegates, and with an
occasional group of Elkins men from some
Of the southern states, it is claimed that
the West Virginian would go into the con-
vention as formidable man, and well
worthy the consideration of candidates de-
string first place and needing auxiliary
strength to their own following.
What Mr.. Davis Really Wants.
Senator Davis of Minnesota has been
mentioned in connection with the presfden-
tial nomination, but 1t has been rather in
the nature of compliment. and hardly
serious proposition. 1t Is not believed that
he really has any hope Of receiving the
nomination, and some Of his friends say
that what he wants Is to be Secretary of
State. 1t is presumed that the national
convention Is deemed the best place to lay
plans for gratifying this ambition. The
supposition is that Senator Davis will go
into the convention with the Minnesota
delegation back of him, and probably with
call on Wisconsin, and immediately begin
some lively dickering with the leading
presidential candidates. The question has
been raised whether the Minnesota dele
cation would allow themselves to be traded
away by Mr.. Davis for a cabinet position
but it is claimed that there will probably
be no trouble on tE.is score, on account of
conditions surrounding the senatorship,
which would be vacant by Mr.. Davis ele-
vauon to the cabinet. 1t is said that some
of the leading candidates for Senator would
smooth the way of Mr.. Davis getting the
cabinet plum.
An Evans and Mckinley Combine.
The other man mentioned in connection
with this gossip, Mr.. H. Clay Evans, is re-
garded as probably the most formidable
obstacle to Mr.. Elkins ambition to be Vice
President, If such really is Mr.. Elkins' de-
sire. General credence is given to the re-
port that cast iron combination will be
MADE between MI. Mckinney and Mr. Evans
for mutual aid and support in obtaining,
respectively, first and second place OH the
ticket. Mr.. Evans is regarded as probably
the leading southern republican of the day
in point of political influence. Recent events
in Tennessee have strengthened his hold
upon the southern republicans, and it is
believed by many thar he could easily take
the leadership of his party south of Mason
and Dixon's line.
The general gossip in this connection is
that Mr. Evans will control the southern
delegations for Mr.. Mckinley for President
ana himself for Vice President, while Mr..
Mckinley will give Mr.. Evans some sup
port from the north. If this combination
should be faithfully observed by both the
supposed parties at issue it is thought it
would prove a hard game for the other
candidates to beat.
Mr.. Evans is now in the northwest, hav-
ing visited all of the principal cities and re-
ceived a hearty welcome everywhere, and
1t is supposed that he is looking around
among the politicians to feel the strength
of Mr.. Mckinley, and ascertain whether
the Ohio man will have the ability to de-
liver the goods in case the contract should
be closed between than.