Evening star., 1896-01-14
Why Senator Quay has Gone to the
Florida Coast.
SENATOR ChMERON'S SUCEE@R
Delegates to the National Conven-
ton More important.
HOG COMBINE AT WORK

Senator Quay and a number of his Penn
sylvania lieutenaEts have gone to the
Florida coast on what is pleasantly de-
scribed as a fishing trip. Tney expect to
be absent about two weeks. They may
fish; they sometimes do fish; there is fish,
ing on the Florida coast; but very little, If
any, curiosity prevails In Pennsylvania
circles as to the probable length Of their
piscatorial string. The prevailing opinion
Is that on this occasion the Senator and
his guests will be fishers of men, and that
the sport on the cards comprehends the
naming of successor to Mr.. Cameron in
the Senate, and the making Of a slate for
delegates to the next republican national
convention.
Power, but 1t II Limited.
In a very large sense Mr.. Quay is the
boss of his party at home. He has great
power, and he knows how to use power.
But he has not unlimited power. There
are some things he now has in hand and
is anxious to accomplish which call for
caution and diplomacy even from him.
The choosing of a successor to Mr.. Cam
eron, taken singly, would not be difficult
for him, but he puts above that in import
ance the control Of the Pennsylvania dele
cation to the national convention, and it
Is for the purpose of bringing the whole
situation under calm and philosophic view
that he has gathered his advisers around
him and gone south to the quiet of his
waterSide retreat.
The Hog Combine Again I'm Action.
The famous hog combine is again in ac-
ton. The Senator routed 1t pretty badly last
fall but he did not destroy it. It is coming
again, aud this time is, like himself on the
hunt for national delegates. 1t aspires to
voice In naming the party's cadidate for
President, and it is plain enough that it's
choice will not be Mr.. Quay's choice. The
combine Is composed of the same men,
with one OF two additions, who opposed the
Senator at Minneapolis four years ago, and
helped to defeat the anti-Harrison move
ment there. Its preference this time is not
announced. Neither, absolutely, is Mr.
Quay's. The combine, it is suspected, would
be glad to see Gen. Harrison put up again.
Mr. Quay is claimed both by the Mckinley
and by the Reed people.
How to Secure Delegates.
The problem which Mr. Quay has carried
south with him relates to how the senator
ship may be used to secure delegates. The
proposition doesn't take the form of a
trade outright, but rather that of bait for
the Quay hook. That is where the felicity
Of the designation Of the trip as fishing
trip comes in. When can the combine, by
skillfuI throw OF the line SO baited, be
best tempted? Would Gov. Hastings take
the hook? Would Mr.. Wanamaker take It?
Mr.. Magee will not be angled for. He is
the sly old trout that Mr.. Quay has never
been able to land, and preteIds not now to
want. But if the Senator can catch any
one of the big fish which have been swim
ming clear of him for some years at home
he will consider himself a lucky man, and
go to the st. Louis picnic in a very joyous
frame of mind.
Mr.. PlatGs Visit.
1t was probably without prearrangement
that Mr.. Platt of New York happened to pass
Wednesday night in towns and just on the eve
of Mr.. Quay's departure. The two men are
master hands in their line, and have fire.
quently worked together in national mat
ters. They worked together at Minneapolis
both with consuming zeal against the re-
nomination Of Gen. Harrison Their en-
tarrassments then We're of a kindred de-
scription. Each was materially weakened
by revolt in his home delegation against
his leadership. Wanamaker and Magee in
the one delegation were matched by Depew
and Miller in the other. The same trouble
again exists, and in any exchange of views
between Mr.. Platt and Mr.. Quay touching
the plan of maneuvering to be adopted at
st. Louis the experiences at MINNEAPOLIS
would naturally be recalled.
What shall the two bosses do to be
saved?