Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-21
HUNTER WILL WITHDRAW
  He Sees the HopeIessness of
 His Cause AND WILL COME DOWN But Not Until Man Has Been Chosen by the Caucus-Two More Denc-
 crats on the Scene,

Frankfort, Ky, April 20.-G'hosc who have up to this time doubted that Dr. Hunter, the caucus nominee of the re- publican party for the United States sen ate would withdraw, gave up this after noon when they learned he had issued the following statement over his own sigma ture:
 q have gone over the whole situation carefully and admit that do not know where my other vote is to come from. Under the circumstances I will state that I will not pr0long the fight beyond a req sonable length when I see it is hope less. The proceeding of the grand jury has had nothing to do with my change of front It has had no effect except to strengthen and solidify the loyalty of my friends Ut was simply a transparent conspira cys to condemn me.
 (Signed) Ni@
 :."W. lGCD DERBY HUNTER"
 Just when. he will withdraw is a mat ter that is as vet doubtful, but in all probability he will get out of the race to- morrow. 4 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 ful, but it is generally conceded that the fight will bc between Judge W. Fl. Holt and Senator W. G. Deboe. The latter has the best chance, as Hunter is said to be sore on Judge Holt, because he has not taken off his coat and worked for him as, Dehoe has.
 A sensation was created just before the time for the senate to meet this morn ing. It was known that MT. Hart, the new democratic senator, had arrived with his certificate of election and would be sworn in this morning. But when the train came in it bore Senator Ogilvle, the sick democrat, who has not been here before this session. This made the senate full for the first time this session, with 13S on joint assembly, 70 republicans and GS democrats, with 70 once more necessary for choice. It put the Hunter vote one more short and caused more sensation than the indict- ment or anything else this session. It also made it accessory fer the new nom- inee to receive more votes to secure an election.
 When tine joint assembly met both the new senator and Senator oglivie were on hand. Many pronounce the bringing here of Senator Oglivie, who looks like a dying man, as a shame, There was no journal reading, but the Blackburn democrats demanded preliminary roll call The latter showed present and un- paired 10S and 55 necessary to choice. The fifty-first balolt stood: Hunter, 53; Blackburn 3S; Martin, F; Boyle, 5: Stone, 1. Nearly all the republicans opposed to Dr. Hunter were absent and paired. Steege was away without pair and this explained why Hunter came within two of enough even with Hart and Oglivle. No motion for adjournment was made and the fifty second ballot begun.
 The announcement that the Bell-Gram- baugh contest would come up caused great excitement, for should the dem ocrat, Bell be seated. the strict party vote would be a tic. 60 and 69. and juse as it stood during the memorable ses- sion last winter. This would give the Blackburn people a fighting chance, something they have rot had since the session last wir pt; their present policy being 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, a Hunter man.