Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-04
Republican Strength.

This gives total of 43 Republican SEN
ators. Included among these are q number
of men who formerly acted with the silver
wing of tho party. But since the Republic
an party made the fight for tho presidency
on IA square antisilver issue ard won it
there is no doubt that Senators Hans
brough, Carter, Mantle, Shoup. Wilson,
Mitchell, Mcbride, Perkins and Wolcott
will vote with their party on the tariff
question and all other questions excepting
perhaps that of the free coinage of silver
and this question is not likely to arise save
in a negative way during the coming CON
gress. The Republicans named, it is pretty
well understood. will decline to participate
in any filibustcring OF obstructive tactics
in behalf Of silver. If the question of free
coinage arises, they will vote for it, but
they will not vote to tack q silver amend
| ment on a tariff or other party measure
| for the purpose of defeating the measure
The influence of the administration of Mr.
Mckinley is counted upon to keep these
men in line SO far as the tariff is concerned
But these 43 Republicans do not consti-
tutc Il majority of the senate. If both Del
| aware and Kentucky elect, the senate will
| be composed of 90 members. and 46 votes
will be required for clear majority. If
the Republicans win the two votes in Ken
| lucky and North Carolina, they will have
| Just enough. including the casting vote of
Vice President Hobart, which, under the
, constitution can be resorted to in case of
Il tie. This statement of the conditions
makes it clear that it is exceedingly i'm
| portant for the Republicans to win the
| senatorship in North Carolina and the
| Blue Grass State.
| In both states the chances are believed
+, to be in favor of the Republicans. In
| kentucky the situation is much mixed be-
| cause of the fact that sound money Demo
| Gratis and populists hold tho balance of
power. They are naturally pulling in OPP
posite directions and it is impossible to
| predict the outcome. The Republicans
lack Only one vote, according to the latest
| figures, of II majority on joint ballot, and
! with the power of the incoming admins
/ tration behind them they will probably be
able to pick out victory. Senator Black
burn declines to give up the fight, but the
general opinion among Kentuckians in
! Washington Is that he cannot be elected
There has been some talk to the effect that
Senator Carlisle might get his old place.
but the fricn.s of the secretary say they
Carlisle among the silver Democrats of
Kentucky is exceedingly bitter They
blame him directly for the loss of the elect
oral vote of the state to Mckinley, and
they swear they will never forgive him
For this reason it is aossiped about the
treasury department the secretary will
abandon any hope of future political pref
erment in Kentucky which he may have
entertained and make his home hereafter
in New York city.
A Campaign Secret.
In North Carolina the Populists hold the
balance of power in the legislature but
Senator Pritchard, Republican, is conf
dent of reelection. In this connection
am able to reveal little campaign secret
Senator Quay was in charge of the Repub-
lican fight in North Carolina last fall, and,
though he pretended he was going to carry
the state for Mckinley, he was really after
the senatorship for the Republican party.
He played his cards so skillfully that am
told the Republicans have in writing
pledges of enough votes from among the
Populists to give the senatorship to Mr..
Pritchard. North Carolina is strong sill
yer state, and if these Populists redeem
their pledges by voting for Republican
they will find an uncomfortable buzzing
about their ears.
There is another source from which the |
Republicans may acquire strength in their
efforts to hold the senate. They may be
able to prevent an election in Delaware |
where there Is now vacancy The only |
result of this would be to leave the senate |
composed of 80 senators instead of 90 |
making difference of ono in the number |
required for u clear majority. Again. the |
two senators from Utah are nominally Re |
publicans and though Senator Browns |
term will expire March next he may secure |
a reelection. Atany rate his successor will |
be nominally Republican. The question |
Is, Will these Utah senators vote with their
party on the tariff and other questions, or
will they seek to interpose free silver
amendment between every party measure !
proposed and the statute books In this |
connection it is pointed out that the wool |
interest in Utah is increasing and that the |
power of a president who has many APP
p0intments to make is not to be despised