The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-10
Demise of Senator yNeissfnger, an
Anti-Blackburn aud Sound-Money
Member of the Legislature.
REPUBLICANS LAST CHANCE
BOYLE MAY BE ELECTED SENATOR
WITH ONE POPULIsT's AID,
Or the Same Result Can he Reached
by Unseating a Democrat, which
May He Done This Morning.

FRANKFORT, KY, March 9.-For the Sec
ond time death has added to the complexity
OF senatorial contest that has engrossed
public interest in this State for two months
and attracted attention throughout the
country. The death of Senator Rosel Weis-
singer, of Louisville to-day, removes, be-
sides distinguished member of the Louis
vile bar, one Of the most active and ener-
getic figures in the senatorial fight in man
who has Within the past few weeks defeated
DIR. Hunter, the Republican nominee, and
successfully baffled every attempt of the fol-
lowers of Senator Blackburn to secure the
reelection Of that leader
The exact political effect of the event of
to-day cannot be determined, but tonight an
election seems more remote than ever. The
Republicans now have sixty-eight members
OF the Legislature. the Democrats sixty
seven, with probability of the support of
the two Populist members as long as Black
burn is their nominee. Taking into consider
alton the announced determination of the
Republicans to force a vote in the House to-
morrow on the Dunlap-Kaufman contest
case, for the purpose of unseating Kaufman.
Dem ,crat, the key to the situation seems
to be the attitude Lieutenant Governor
Worthington, who presides at the joint ses-
sions, will take on the question of quorum.
If he holds to the decision he is said to have
announced when vacancy was caused by
the death of Representative Wilson, that
seventy shall constitute a quorum of the
joint session, the Republicans. even by seat
ing Dunlap, can count only sixty-nine
votes, and the Democrats with the two
Populists. will have the same number. so
that either party may break Quorum at will
and prevent a. election. If he takes the
position that since the death of Senator
Weissnger sxty-nine members constitute
quorum, the election of st. John Boyle, of
Louisville, can be accomplished by the Re-
publicans If they seat Dunlap and give the
caucus nominee the whole party strength.
This session will expire before a successor
to Mr.. WeissiEger can be elected.
1t is almost certain that tomorrow a vote
will be taken in the Dunlap-Kaufman case,
and Kaufman, the Democratic member, will
be unseated. Whether the Democratic Sem
ators retaliate or not the Republicans assert
that the election of Mr.. Boyle is certain
ty. The Democrats say they will go into the
Kaufman is made. Beyond that the politics
of the situation cannot be foretold.
AT to-day's joint session there was no at
tempt to elect The death of Mr.. Weissinger
having been announced before II o'clock, it
was agreed between the leaders that the
proceedings be confined to formal ballot
to fill the requirements of the law, but one
vote being cast for the nominee of each
party, after which no quorum was an
nounced and the session adjourned. After
ward both houses reconvened and appointed
committees to take action on the death Of
Mr.. weissinger The adoption of the reso-
lutions drawn up by these committees was
followed in both branches by adjournment.