Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-21
BLUE GRASS FlGR.
HUNTER SAYS HE WILL WITH
DRAW, But WHEN.
THE SICK DEMOCRAT APPEARS.
This Makes the Senate Full (No Pun
Intended), for the First Time This
sc.sion - Threatened BcII-Crum-
brugh Contest.

FRANK FORT, KY, Apfu N.-lnoSe
who have up TO this time doubted that
DR.. Hunter, the indicted Republican
nominee for the United States Senate,
would withdraw, gave up all hope this
morning when they learned that he had
issued the following statement, over his
own signature:
II have gone over the whole situation
carefully, and l admit that 1 do not know
where my one vote is to come from.
Under the circumstances, l am willing to
say that / shall not prolong the fight
beyond a reasonable time, when l see
that it is hopeless. This proceeding be-
fore the grand jury has had absolutely
nothing to do with my change OF front.
IL has not been factor in the fight.
except to solidify and strengthen the
loyalty of my friends. 1t was simply a
transparent conspiracy to defame me-
(signed) "W. GODFREY HUNTER"
Just when he will withdraw is a mat
ter that is as yet doubtful, but in all
probability he will get out OF the race
tomorrow. But he will not do so until
he and his supporters have settled on
man TO become the nominee of the new
caucus. Who that man will be Is doubt
full but 1t is generally conceded that
the fight VIII be between Judge w. II.
Holt and Senator w. ]. Deboe. The lat
ter has the best chance, rs Hunter is
said to be sore on Judge Holt, because
he has not taken off his coat and worked
for him, as Deboe has.
A sensation was created just before
-. IL. -. 1,f
was known that Mr.. Hager, the new
Democratic Senator, had arrived with his
certificate, and would be sworn in this
morning. But when the train came In it
bore Senator Ogilvie the sick Democrat.
who has not been here before this ses-
sion. This made the Senate full for the
first time this session. with iSS members
i'm Joint session-7O Republicans, and GS
Democrats-and 20 once more necessary
TO a choice. 1t put Hunter one vote fur
ther from an election, and made more
certain the impossibility of his election
than has the indictment or any other
occurrence this session. 1t also made 1t
necessary for a new nominee, in order to
secure an election.
FIFTY-FIRST BALLOT.
When the joint assembly met both the
new Senator and Senator Ogilvie were on
here of Senator Ogilvie, who looks Ike
n dying man. a shame. There was no
journal-reading, but the Blackburn De-
mocrats demanded a preliminary roll
call. THE latter showed present and un-
| paired l0S and So necessary to a choice.
| The ffty-frst ballot began, but all voted
az they have done heretofore, and the
ballot stood Hunter. So; Blackburn 49,;
Martin, y: Boyle, 3; Stone, l.
Nearly all the Republicans opposed TO
| Dr. Hunter were absent and paired. Siege
was away. without a pair, and this ex-
| planned why Hunter came within two of
an election, even with Hager and Ogilvie
| here No motion for adjournment was
made. and the fifty-second ballot began.
The announcement that. the Ben-Crum-
! baugh contes. would come up caused q
| great deal Of excitement, for should the
! Democrat. Bell. be seated. the strict party
| vote would be tie-69 and 69-and just
as il stood during the memorable is-
sion last winter. This would give the
Blackburn people a fighting chance. some
thing they have not had since the session
/ of last winter. their present policy be-
/ ing solely TO prevent an election.
The second and third ballots resulted
exactly as did the first. after which The
| General Assembly adjourned. on motion
/ of Senator Bennett, Hunter man.
The statement given out by Hunters
| friends this evening that he had prepared
a card withdrawing from the senatorial
race has served TO bring another big
| crowd Of politicians TO the capital Many
of those who arrived tonight came TO
urge him 10 remain on the ticket and
the others are candidates who hope TO be
made the new nominee. The knowing
ones say Hunter may have prepared such
a statement but he IS not preparing 10
withdraw. His enemies say that his init.
/ nations that he will withdraw are made
only for effect. The men who oppose
| Hunters withdrawal are urging that
/ with such state of affairs there would
| surely be a wrangle and row that would
/ make as difficult the election Of the new
nominee as seems that Of the present
| ctapdqrI-