The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-21
DR.. HUNTER IS GAME
ALL HIS TALK OF WITHDRAWING
SAID TO BE ONLY FOR
EFFECT,
He ISSUES A STATEMENT.
SAYS HE DOES NOT DESIRE TO UN-
DULY PROLONG THE CON-
TEST.
DAYS BALLOTING FRUITLESS'
Democratic Forces Augmented by
the Arrival of Two Men Who
VIII Act With Them.

FRANKFORT, KY, April 20.-The
statement given out by Hunters
friends this evening that he had al
ready prepared a card withdrawing
from the senatorial race has served to
bring another big crowd of politicians
to the capital Many of those Who ar
rived tonight came to urge him TO re-
main on the ticket, and the Others ere
candidates who hope to be made the
new nominee. The truth seems to be
that the mission Of both sides is a use
less one. Hunter, the knowing ones
say, may have prepared such state
ment, but he is not preparing to With
draw His enemies say his intfma-
tions that he will withdraw are made
only for effect, and that when the
Franklin grand jury adjourns he will
once more boldly claim his right to
fight 1t out on this line If 1t takes
all summer"
Some of those urging Hunter not to
withdraw hope to inherit his strength.
Even if Hunter were ready to with
draw, 1t is argued that he would not
do so until he could be more certain
that he had Holt, whom he has learn
ed to dislike, defeated for the success
sion. At present Holt seems to have
the solid support of the Hunter opposi-
ton and the negative vote, while the
Hunter strength to be inherited, by
any possible successor, is divided
among a dozen candidates, principal
among whom, and in whose favor
Hunter himself is divided, are Mayor
George D. Todd, of Louisville; Exon
gresham George NJ. Thomas, of Lewis
county, and State Senator Deboe. The
men who oppose Hunters withdrawal
are urging that with such state of
affairs there would surely be a strug-
gle and row that would make as diff
cult the election Of the new nominees
as seems that Of the present standard
bearer. There are both friends and sne-
mics of Hunter who believe that he
will withdraw tomorrow, and that the
new caucus will be held tomorrow
night. But the shrewdest politicians
of them all laugh at the idea and say
the withdrawal, if it comes at all, is
in the future.
When the joint assembly met TODAY
both the new senator, Mr.. Hager. and
Senator Ogilvie, who has been ill, were
On hand. Many pronounced the bring
ing here of Senator OgiIvie, who looks
like dying man, a crying shame
There was no journal reading, but the
blackburn Democrats demanded a
preliminary roll call The latter show
ed present and impaired los and 90
necessary to a choice. The fifty-first
ballot began, and all voted as they
have heretofore, and the ballot stood:
Hunter, 90; Blackburn, So; Martin, y;
Boyle, 5; Stone, 1. Nearly all the Re-
publicans opposed to DR. Hunter were
absent and paired Siege was away
without a pair; and this explained why
Hunter came within two of an cleo
ton. even with Hager and Ogilvie here
The announcement that the Bell
Crumbaugh contest would come up
caused great deal Of excitement, for,
should the Democrat, Bell be seated
the strict party vote would be a tie 60
and SO, just as it stood during the mem
orabIe session last winter This would
give the Blackburn people a fighting
chance, something they have not had
since the session last winter, their
present policy being solely to prevent
an election. The second and third bal
lots showed exactly as did the first
after which the general assembly adj
journed on motion of Mr.. Bennett. a
Hunter man.
DR.. Hunter issued the following
statement over his own signature:
Il have gone over the whole situation
carefully, and I admit that 7 do nor
know where my one vote is to come
from. Under the circumstances. 7 am
willing to say that l shall not proIong
the fight beyond reasonable time.
when l see that it is hopeless. This
proceeding before the grand Jury has
had absolutely nothing to do with my
change of front. 1t has not been
factor in the fight except to soHdifv
and strengthen the loyalty of INV
friends. 1t was simply a transparent
conspiracy to defame me.