Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-14
GlBSON'S SUCCESSOR.
Fight in the Maryland Legislature fcr
tie United States SenatOrShip.
WILL IT BE wELLINGToHs
So Far thc Anti-WeIIington Forces
Have Controlled the Situntion-A
wild Race, Free for AlI-rrob"biy
Bitter Contest.

ANNAPOLIS. MD. January B.-The
question as 10 who viii become heir 10
the seat in the United States Senate now
occupied by Charles Gibson is far from
being settled. although the Legislature
will begin balloting tomorrow. All ef-
forts to bring about Republican caucus
have failed. and the situation is as badly
mixed as II was month ago.
II each Of the different aspirants for
senatorial honors has properly diagnosed
his chances. there will be at least six
MARYLAND statesmen occupying Mr.. Glib
sons seat when that genusman's term
has expired. On the other hand. If the
LEGISLATORS VINO will do the voting are
20 be believed. not one of the candidates
has reason to mink that he will be the
winner. Only one thing is clear, and that
is that every man VINO has a vote on the
l. publican side wants 10 be the winner.
They have an abiding faith that the next
President will be the nominee of their
party. and all realize the Importance OF
standing in" with the Republican who,
for four years from March /. 1897, will re-
present Maryland in the United states
Senate.
Tonight. the candidates are putting in
their best work. There is not even party
management 1t is q Wild race. iree Tor
all. There Is a great deal OF talk about
the so-called Eastern-Shore law, and the
sacred obligation whicn. the ofiice-holders
claim. rests upon every legislator 10 OBJ
serve it, This law provides that one OF
Maryland representatives in the Dnited
States Senate shall be a resident VI the
eastern portion Of the state. There has
been disposition in recent years 20 ig-
more the law the claim being that II IS
unconstitutional 10 begin with, and Sc
condly. as the eastern section of the
State has but y per cent. Of the State
ooDulation. II is not entitled TO equal re-
presentation with the Western Shore
Congressman George l.. Wellington. OF
the sixth Maryland District who engi-
neered LLOYD l.owndes's campaign, land
ing him ia the gubernatorial chair last
week. ~ the leader in the senatorial race,
and is anxious TO SMASH the Eastern
Shore legacy. lie is making a tght
against the field. The main hight OF the
anti-W ellington forces has been to pre-
vent the holding OF a Republican caucus.
Mr.. wellington and his friends confidently
assert that caucus will be held late TO-
nignt OF tomorrow night. No one can
foretol what will be the outcome.
CHOICE POSSIBLE TOMORROW.
Mir Clbson's successor may be chosen
Wednesday. but the chances favor pro-
longed and bitter contest.
Some of the enthusiastic admirers OF
Governor LOwndes hope the 5 natorship
Will 20 to the East IN Shore on his nc
count. as they want to send him toi the
Senate TO succeed Mr.. German Two years
hence. Mr.. LOwndes cannot be a candi-
date now. for various reasons. the chief
one being that his resignation world
make MI Bruce, the President Of che
Senate. Governor.
The next Senate viii probably be Re
publican. made 50 by hoid-oyer senator's.
Republicans are counting on the Legls-
lature Of 1888 being in their favor on
ioint ballot
Up 70 the present dime practically no
thing has been done by the l. gislature
except TO install the new Governor IN
office While several important bills
have been introduced, it is not expected
that much real legislative work will be
done until the senatorial question is set
tied. Tomorrow at noon the baloting for
senator will begin, and b. kept up from
DAY to day until an election. on Wednes-
day the two houses Will meet in joint
session. and If no election is made a
vote will be had each legislative day un-
al a successor to Mr.. Gibson is chosen.