The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-01-17

/ the foregoing IlSuI6S are DIS ClOSO Oh
approach to accuracy as could possibly
be reached and fairly indicate the SEN
atorial situation last evening. 1t was
| not until the past few. days that any
! intelligent estimate could be made, and
! a curious feature of the contest is the
! surprisingly large number of members
who, with the senatorial election at
hand, declare that they are yet unable
/ to express a preference.
SO many influences are at work upon
the members, such determined efforts
made and energetic campaigning in be-
! half of the three candidates, tina sAthe
situation of yesterday may not be the
situation of tomorrow Enough mem
bers may be swayed from their present
inclinationS to entirely change the rela-
tive standing of the three candidates
before the first ballot is taken next
Tuesday. The large number of unde
cided and vacillating members, each
claimed by one or more of the candi-
dates, constitute a disturbing element
that is causing great anxiety to the
managers and threatens to oVerturn
all representations at any moment.
OF coarse it is not possible to posi-
lively assert that any candidate will
receive a definite number of votes. Ger
tain members, however, are conceded
to certain candidates by their oppo
UentS. Others are claimed by two and
in some instances by all three Of the
aSpirants. In classifying these the
claims put forth by each side have been
given due weight. the members them
selves have been personally interviewed
and information sought from their
friends, and The Herald has exercised
its best judgment in the light of all
the evidence.
The estimate given by The Herald
does not give to Thatcher or Rawlins
the number of votes claimed by their
respective managers. At Thatcher
headquarters the certain strength of
their candidate is placed at q, and the
RaWlins committee claims "A, a total of
IS. This would leave hut eight votes
for Henderson, whose managers make
no definite claims, but who can rea-
sonably expect to receive at least IS
votes
The estimate presented above relates
only to the first ballot, which will be
taken separately in each house next
Tuesday. 1t is generally conceded that
many changes viii take place be
fore the first joint ballot is taken on
Wednesday, and each side expects
these changes Will result to its adVant-
age. 1t is known that the first ballot
viii release a number of Democrats
from their pledges, and possibly some
or all Of the PopuliSts will then vote
LOT OEillOCldlS- II GdHIlOl DP SdlQ LIldI
any candidate. at the present time, has
his forces so we'll in hand as TO remove
all fear of a break in the lines.
THATCHER PETITIONS.
Yesterday the Thatcher committee
sent TO each of the Salt Lake county
members of the Legislature a copy of a
petition asking them to vote for Moses
Thatcher for United States senator. 1t
is signed by 3O5 persons, all OF whom
are alleged to have participated in
the convention, composed of 440 dele
gates, that nominated these members
for the Legislature. It is known that
other Thatcher petitions are being cir
culated in Summit, Wasatch and
Utah counties What consideration
will be given them by the legislators !
is a question of uncertainty several /
members having been heard to ex-
press themselves as disinclined to be |
governed by such influences.
A PARTY CAUCUS.
Chairman Dunbar of the Thatcher |
committee stated last evening that he /
desired a party caucus to be held and (
would make an effort in this direction. /
If held at all It Will take place to-
morrow evening. The wishes of the
other candidates are not known, but it /
is understood that they do not regard
the caucus proposition with favor. In .
4 caucus of the Democratic members
it would require 20 votes to nominate.
A caucus of the Thatcher supporters
has been called at the Knutsford
headquarters tomorrow evening.
THE MINORITY VOTE.
The attitude of the three Republican
members has been the subject of some
speculation, and various statements
nave been made. indicating that they
Intended to take part in the election
# a Democrat. From their own ex-s
Dressions to a Herald representative.
lowever, it is apparent that they in
end TO support some Republican, al