Evening star., 1896-07-07
It Has Struck the Boom OF Mr.. Teller
at Chicago.
THE SUPERSTITION IN REGARD TO IT
How It Has Affected Men in Both
Parties.
A HOPE IN DIVISION

Ine dlSpatcheS from chicago report that
the Teller boom has encountered the SEN
atorial "hoodoo.' Managers of other
booms are asserting that the candidacy
of the Colorado Senator is in charge of a
junta of his senatorial colleagues, and
that 1t stands quite as distinctly for their
aims as it does for the cause of silver.
The effect Of this charge on the rank and
file of the convention is being watched by
the politicians with no little interest.
Fatal to u Mans Aspirations.
In superstitious circles the Senate has
long been regarded as a ''hoodoo." There
is firm conviction in the minds of many
politicians that seat in that body is fatal
to mans aspirations or usefulness in
any other direction. 1t has been positively
deadly In the matter of presidential as
p1ratlons. Neither party has ever been
willing to go to the Senate for it's presi-
den,lal candidate. Both parties have re-
1ected senatorial aspirants of a very high
order or ability. On the republican list are
the names Of Mr.. Morton of Indiana, Mr..
Conkling, General Logan, Mr.. Sherman,
Mr.. Allison, Mr.. Cullom, General Hawley
qnd others On the democratic list are Mr..
Indiana, Judge Davis Of Illinois and 9TH
ers. Senators have always been bowled out
And In some cases by men rot so highly
considered in the political world.
Three Notable Gases.
Ihe cases of General Harrison, and Gen
eral Garfield and Mr.. Blaine are quoted as
still further evidence of the existence Of
this "hoodoo.' General Harrison was q
Senator in 1884. and failed in his presiden-
t1aI aspirations that year. In 1885, when he
was again private citizen, he was NOM
lhated; The "hoodoo' had lost its power
over him. General Garfield when nominated
IN 1850 was only a Senator-elect. He had
lever taken his senatorial seat. In 1880
when Mr.. Blaine made and lost his fight
ne was a Senator Called to the office of
secretary of State by General Garfield, he
retired upon the death of his chief and
was a private citizen in 1884 when nom
mated for the presidency.
Still Another Power.
This "hoodoo" Is accredited with still
another power. In some cases 1t is thought
to follow man up, and interfere with his
career elsewhere. Mr.. Cleveland when
first elected President went to the Senate
for three members Of his cabinet, Mr. Bay-
ard, Mr. Garland and Mr.. Lamar. Mr.
Bayard and Mr.. Garland were not consid-
ered successful in eXecutice Office and Mr.
Lamar was soon transferred to the Su-
preme bench. All three had attained high
rank in the Senate. General Harrison
very successful in office. Upon Mr. Cleve-
lands return to power he called Mr.. Car
Isle from the Senate to the Treasury De-
partment, as concededly the best-equpped
man for the place in the party. Both sides
complimented the selection. Mr. Sherman
declared that 1t was admirable But the
party Is going to pieces on the financial
question, and majority Of the democratic
terms of fiat reputation of the financial
policy of the administration. 1t Is con-
sidered an even bet in sporting circles that
II Mr.. Carlisle had never entered the Sen
a nr (10yyn n1pv, a.
ed member of the House. surrounded by
the old silver influences, he would today
be on the eve of receiving a presidential
nomination.
How Senator's Discuss 1t.
Senators themselves discuss this "hoo-
doo"-laughingly, of course, but with de-
tails that show how closely they have fol-
lowed the supposed workings of the in
Huence. They hesitate about uniting in
recommending for office on the score that
the aspirant as rule is injured by it,
They confronted the matter at the time
the Mexican mission became vacant by the
death of Minister Grey. Mr.. Ransom want
ed the place. and his senatorial colleagues,
without respect to party, wanted him ap-
pointed. One of them said to him:
Ransom, we are all anxious to serve
you, but are almost afraid to make a move.
You know the old superstition about the
Senate. We would like to say to the Pres
ident in BODY that you are the man for
this place.
Mr.. Ransoms reply was handsome in the
extreme:
Fire away. I'll take the risk. There'll
be the compliment anyhow, and as a men,
Der of the Sci ate 1 shall appreciate that
above everything"
The recommendation was made, and Mr..
Ransom, to the general surprise, was APP
pointed. He proved superior to the "hoo-
dco.'
A Hope for Teller.
Not all the senatorial delegates to the
Chicago convention are in favor of Mr..
Teller, and in the division may lie a chance
for him to win. But if he loses he will go
down in history another victim of the
Senate's "hocdoo"