Evening star., 1896-12-01
ILLINOIS SENATORSHlP
The Two Prominent Candidates to Succeed
Gen. Palmer.
Messrs. Mason and Madden and Their
Respective Chances-Mr. Hits
Opportunity.

Information in Illinois circles is to the
effect that the contest for Gen. Palmer's
seat in the Senate lies between ex-Con.
gresham Mason and Martin Madden. Both
are residents of Chicago. both are young
men, both are "hustl-rs' and very much
III earnest IN this race. At the present time
Mr. Madden appears to have a shade the
best OF it. The election takes place al
springfield. In January, with the republf-
cars in easy control OF both branches of the
legislature.
Mr.. Mason Well known.
Mr.. Mason is well known as a rattling
stump speaker. rotund and good humored.
While in Congress he figured sonewhat t
prominently in the debates. and he has lost
no ground at home since his retirement
from the congressional field. He partici-
pated in the recent campaign. and except
that the private polls showed that no such
step was nee .ssiry. he would have followed
MT bryan in the latter'S last Journey
across the state. This is the second time he
has Offered for the Senate the first being
TWO year, ago. when the CullOm seat was
in contest.
Mr.. Mniislen's Career.
Mr.. Maiden is unknown to national life
but is recognized power in Chicago. He
Is man of about forty, of Irish extrac-
tion. self-made. shrewd at a bargain a
good judge of men. a good political organ
izer and rich He has worked his way
rapidly, and from humble beginnings. He
IS now the president of corporation for
which when a lad he worked as mes
seGger. He has served in the city council
and from that point of vantage has es
tablished his present strong hold on the
republican machine of the city. Mr.. Mad
den was not Mckinley man during the
primaries
his personal leanin:,S were toward Mr..
Allison. with a reservation TOWARD; the man
uron whom the Plllt-Quay combina ton
might finally unite. But when Mr.. Nc
kinley was nom.f ateI, Mr.. Madden fell i'll
10 line promptly, and worked. it Is said,
with all his energy ior republican success.
MIR. Hanna is reported to have confessed
to having received great aid from the or
acknowledged head.
MIR. HITS Cnndldacy.
There are other senatorial candidates in
the held. among them Mr.. Hit. and there
is some thought that two Senators ma, be
chosen. Although nobody is quoted to sus-
tain 1t, some Of the Illinois republicans are
of opinion that Me-. Cullom is to 20 into
the new cabinet In that event his sue
cessor would be elected along with Gen.
Palmer's. And that might develop a COM
bination which would upset all plans and
CALCULATIONS designed 10 affect only the one
seat.
His Value In the House.
MIR. Hits candidacy is an attractive one.
but, strange to say. is thought to be in a
measure hanlpered by his position in the
House and his recognized superior fitness
for some very important work certain to
come before the next Congress. His IA
miliarity with foreign affairs makes him
the very man. i, is contendeG. TO han lie
the hawaiian business The Cuban business
and the important aftermath of the Eenez-
ueian business, which in some form the
next House must deal with.
lie is now chairman of the foreign at
fairs committee. and unless promo ed
meanwhile TO the Senate VIII again serve
in that capacity. This, it is said, initiates
against MIR Hit in the sharp struggle now
existing over the one Se;.atorship. But it
both senatorshIps come before this legis-
lature then Mr.. Hits chances will be ex-
cellent for one of them. With Mr.. Mason and
Mir. Madden in the fleid from Chicago, Mr..
Hits geographical positioH-h:s home is at
Mount Mcrris-would make him very
strong, upon the national assumption that
the city should not be permitted to draw
both prizes.