The Van Buren press., 1896-12-19

There are TWO chances Tor the RepuD-
licans to bring this figure up to forty
four. In North Carolina, if an arrange
ment can be made between the Repub
leans and the Populists, Senator
Pritehard may be returned, and he will
act with the Republicans on the tariff
as he has done in the past Senator
Pritehard, however, cannot vet see his
calling and election sure. In Kentucky
too, there is possibility that Repub
| lican may be chosen to succeed Senator
Blackburn. With Republicans from
these two states, and with every senator
voting for the bill which may be
framed, the administration will be able
to get that bill passed with the assistance
of the vote of the vice president. This
margin, however, is too narrow for
comfort. 1t is situation which, as
the astute Senator Elkins said yester
day, calls for some energetic action.
Not only Senator Elkins, but half a
dozen other Republican senators were
busily engaged yesterday in comforting
as to the best means of meeting the
crisis which confrontS them.
APPEAL TO TIE NATIONAL COMMITTEE.
In their dilemma these senators have
decided to appeal to the national com
mittee. This means, most of all, an
appeal to Mark Hanna, who is to be
made acquainted during his stay here
with the true situation. IF there is
one man who can help us, said
Senator Ell1ins, "he is the man.
The programme, as thus far dis
cussed, is to have the national com
mittee take immediate hold Of the
senatorial situations in every state
where there is the least possibility of in
fiuencing the legislative vote. In some
of these states there is some prospect of
success In Washington, for instance,
shrewd political manipulations may
result in the election of senator who
will act with the tariff revising Repub-
licans. Senator Squire said yesterday
to Post reporter that if he should be
re elected, he could be relied upon to
act with party, although he did not go
into the Republican caucus yesterday.
Even if it should be decided not to assist
Senator Squire another Republican, it
is hoped, may be gained.
The national committee will also be
expected to exercise its influence in
North Carolina. Col, Boyd, the
national committeeman from that state,
is now in Washington, and is busily
engaged in laying wires for Pritchard 3
return, while the North Carolina Re-
publican congressman, appreciative Of
the critical situation, are sacrificing
their own personal interests in the hope
of securing the same end. In South
Dakota, which is another state in which
the national committee will be expected
70, axapffaa ff- f,Afa,nf ifnHpAranA Aanntnr
Pettigrew, now a recalcitrant, wants to
have voice in the selection Of the
senator who will succeed Kyle, whose
term is about to expire. The legislature
in that state will be composed of a
fusion majority of Democrats. Populists
and free silver Republicans, but the
conditions there are said to be favorable
enough to invite close inspection and
considerable work on the part of Mark
Hanna and his committee.
SOME STATES BEYOND REACH.
There are some states beyond reach.
Senator Elkins, in discussing the stu
alton yesterday, mentioned Utah.
Idaho, Colorado and Nevada as states
in which. in addition to Washington
and South Dakota, some Republican
gains might be made. Inquiry, how
ever, shows that these four silver states
are barren ground
In the Idaho legislature there is only
one Mckinley Republican in the seventy
members of the legislature If Senator
Dubois is not returned, which is not yet
certain, the next senator will certainly
be a Populist In Utah not single
regular Republican was elected to the
legislature. In Colorado every candi
date for the Legislature ran upon a
platform which pledged him to vote for
the return of Senator Teller, and no
successful raid can be made upon this
solid column. When it comes to
Nevada. it hardly seems likely that the
national committee or any other outside
politicians can interfere with the re-
election of Senator John p. Jones
Unfruitful. therefore. as these states
would seem 20 be. SO far as straight
Republican senators are concerned.
they are nevertheless not to be ignored