The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-30
BUCKEYE STATES BIG BATTLE.
HANNA TO NE GIVEN a HARD FIGHT
HUT MAY WIN.

Several Democrats Refuse to Join
with the Anti-Hanna Republicans
10 Elect Some other Republican
SenntOr-The First Test of Strength
to Come in the Selection of a.
speaker--Democrats said 10 Have
Entered Into an Agreement for -
Division OF the Offices of the House.
Columbus, o., Dec. 29.-There was an In
fux of legislators tonight, and the scenes
about the hotel Hobbies indicated that the
senatorial election Is the absorbing ques-
tion although the scramble for place in
the organization Of the House and Senate
is livelier than for several sessions.
That the anti-Hanna republicans, led by
Charles Kurtz. will test the strength OF
their forces in the organization Of the
legislature was indicated by the unofficial
announcement that Representative Mason
Of Cleveland would oppose President Box
well of Warren county for speaker.
Mr. Mason, accompanied by Representa-
tive Brambley of Cleveland. both of whom
are known to be unfrlendly to Senator
Hanna, opened headquarters at the Great
Southern hotel to-day, and it was gener-
ally understood that the anti Hanna men
would conduct their campaign from that
place on the question of his candidacy
for the speakership, Representative Mason
is noncommittal.
IL is significant that the democratic
state headquarters are located i'm the same
hotel. Allen o. Meyers Is the apparent
leader Of the democrats in the proposed
fusion with the anti-Hanna republicans.
Mr.. Meyers has given out that the demo-
cratic members of the House will support
| Representative Mason for speaker and G.
| II. Gerrsh of Columbus, one of Mr..
Kurtz's lieutenant, for clerk of the House
| IN opposition 10 John K. Malloy.
| The anti-Hanna republicans. 1t Is gen.
! orally understood, are 10 turn all the
other offices of the House over to the DEM
ocratS In consideration for their support
of the men chosen by Mr.. Kurtz for
| speaker and clerk.
| A conference of democratic members OF
| the Legislature and party leaders Is TO be
| held here Friday to discuss the proposed
fusion with the antl-Hanna republicans
| Within the last few days strong opposi-
ton has arisen from certain democrats to
| the proposed fusion, and IL is now certain
| that all the democratic members cannot
be whipped into line. Several democratic
members, who arrived in the city tonight.
| stated emphatically that they would not
1 vote for any one except a democrat for
1
bers who serve their first term, and say
that If they voted for any republican 20
defeat Senator Hanna they would not be
returned.
There was a conference Of republican
leaders in Maj Dicks rooms in the Neal
4 house, and this afternoon 1t was stated
that they were merely talking over the
| situation. Maj Dick said Senator Hanna !
reelection was assured. 1t was Significant
that Representative Snyder of Green coun-
ty, who was formerly counted as an anti
| Hanna man, was conspicuous at Mai
Dicks headquarters and working in Sena.
tor Hanna's interest. Several republican
members, on their arrival to-day, Were
claimed by Mr.. Kurtz's. lieutenants as OPP
posed 10 Senator Hanna. but on being
pressed. admitted that they intended &c
vote for him.
While Mr. Kurtz denies himself to ali
public interviews. he still asserts to his
confidential friends that Senator Hanna
| will be defeated