The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-01-06
CURTIS FOR SPEAKER.
Latest Phase of the Contest at
Springfield, Ills.
SCHUBERT AND ALLEN WITHDRAW.

Morning Caucus of the Cook County
Leaders of the Legislature--1he selec-
tion of Curtis an Overwhelming Sur
prise TO acknowledgements Organ
ize Both Houses in Delaware.
Springfield, Ills, Jan. Ga radical
change in the speakership fight has de-
veloped which may result in the selec-
ton of Ed c. Curtis of Grant Park.
1t is claimed by the Cook county crowd
that he will be chosen on the first ball
lot at the caucus. At a meeting of the
Cook county leaders early Tuesday
morning it was decided that Schubert
should be withdrawn. A number of
prominent members from the state at
large were called into the council and
Curtis was chosen by them as a COM
promise candidate.
The members who retired Monday
night leaving Schubert the machine
candidate awolIe Tuesday morning
scarcely able to believe the transforma-
tion that had taken place. Schuberts
headquarters were closed. Allen had
taken down his sign and Curtis name
now hung over the door, Both Schu-
bert and Allen visited Curtis and took
charge Of his boom. Their withdrawal
brings Curtis about thirty-seven votes.
Flock to Curstis' Headquarters.
Within ten minutes after the news
became known the members began tc
stream into Curtis headquarters. In
an hour his friends claimed he had
| fifty votes already pledged six mors
| than a majority. DIR. Jameson and Lor-
! imer who have not slept wink since
! Sunday night, watched the procession
with a satisfied look in their tired eyes.
! They believe the switch has insured the
election Of Madden as senator beyond
the shadow of a doubt.
'We have landed both Schubert and
! Madden. but deemed ii the best policy
to not press matters too hard" saig one
| Of the Cook county managers. The
votes were here to elect Schubert speak
er and Madden senator, but our coun-
try friends argued it would be better
politics to divide up a little, and be-
tween the two of course, Schubert had
to step aside. This he agreed to do in
a very unselfsh spirit, and he deserves
credit for laying aside his own ambi-
tion for the good of the organization
For the sake of Harmony.
IT quit for harmOny's sake" said Mr.
Schubert. There is no doubt l could
have been elected speaker, but when
the leaders advised me that my candi-
dacy was interfering with the senator
ship, Immediately told them l waived
my claims"
II withdrew from the speakershiI
race because my friends advised me
to-" said Mr.. Allen. IL take pride in
the fact that have lived to attend my
own funeral and can still smile"
The selection of Curtis as the ma
chimes candidate was an overwhelming
surprise to everybody. Many refused
to believe the report until personally
assured that such was the case by the
party managers. The understanding
has been all along that Allen or Selby
would be made the residuary legatee
of the machine when it got ready to
drop the Schubert talk.
How 1t Was Done.
count of noses, however. showed
that neither of them could win, even
when backed by the Cook county dele
cation, and when the contingency OF
Cochran's election arose the bosses de-
clared something must be done ano
quickly Tanner would not listen tC
Cochran for speaker. Bryan was scarce
ly more acceptable to the governor
elect. The plan of taking up candi'
date that would cut into the strength
of both was then agreed to as the only
course Schubert. Allen and Selby were
thrown overheard and Curtis attained
his sudden and unexpected prominence
The matter will be settled in the Re
publican caucus The machine expects
to land Curtis on the second or thiro
| ballot.