The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-01-07
Especial Correspondence.1


HARRISBURG, Jan. 4.-This city is in
the throes of one of the most exciting and
sensational contests for scat in the Unit
I'd States senate that II has ever known
Great crowds of people throng the streets
nightly, and the interest in the struggle
for political supremacy in the stato-for
chat is ono of the issues involved In the
contests intense Long ago 1t became
apparent that Senator Quay as tho leader
of the Republican organization in Penn
sylvania was 70 have arrayed against him
many of the elements which opposed his
candidate for the Craftsmanship of the state
committee two years ago. In the begin
ming Of the contest for Senator Cameron's
seat the real preference Of Senator Quay
for the succession was unknown. He
maintained his usual silence regarding his
plans and purpose, and despite all the ef-
forts of his opponents to draw from him
some expression of his choice of candi-
date 1t was not until comparatively re.
cent date that he announced his intention
to support Senator Penrose of Philadel-
phia. 1t was undoubtedly tho original
purpose of Senator Quay to throw his in
6uence to Governor Hastings, but the sem
timent in Philadelphia became SO strong
In the direction of candidate from that
city that all the party leaders conceded
the force of the demand Of the metropolis
of the state for representative in the high
est legislative body of the country. Sena-
tor Quay was the first to recognize the
danger Of ignoring the demands of Phila-
delphia, and realizing that it would not
be possible to place Governor Hastings in
the seat of Senator Cameron without seri-
ously endangoring his own political fu-
ture he came to Harrisburg and frankly
stated his position to the governor. just
what took place at the interview in the ex-
ecutive mansion will probably never be
known by the general public, but before
Senator Quay loft Harrisburg on that visit
II was known far and wide that Governor
Hastings would not be candidate for
United States senator.
wanamaker Steps In.
Notwithstanding Senator Quay's deci-
sion to support Senator Penrose, 1t was
believed In many quarters that he would
In the end throw the weight of his influ-
snce to another candidate. 1t was sus-
peoted by many politicians that Senator
Cameron, Notwithstanding his letter of
withdrawal, would in some way be inject
ID into the contest as O compromise candi-
date. The relations Of Quay and Cameron
have always been cordial, and there were
those who expressed the opinion that Sen
stor Quay would be only too happy to re-
burn his friend to the senate for another
term. If he ever had any disposition to
assist In tho re election of Senator Gamer.
pm, he evidently abandoned 1t and entered
heartily Into the campaign for his young
Philadelphia lieutenant His friends
throughout the state were given to under
stand his position, and those who had pre-
viously favored the governor lost no time
IN declaring themselves for Penrose. Mean
while the supporters Of ex-Postmaster Gen.
eral John Wanamaker had been perfecting
their organization throughout the state
and were now ready for battle royal.
Quay brought to his assistance largely the
trained politicians of the state, while
around the Wanamaker standard rallied
all the anti-Quay forces, including large
representation of business men. These
latter are embraced in an organization
known as the National Business Men {
league, which has branches in every state.
With the lines thus formed the contend
Ing forces are arrayed against each other
here. At the Penrose headquarters in the
Lochiel hotel, place made famous as the
storm center of many hard fought polit-
lcal battle, are to be found Senator Quay
and his chief lieutenants, including his
candidate for United States senator, Mr..
Psnrose; Lieutenant Governor Lyon, Sen
ator W. H. Andrews chairman of the SEN
ate committee which is investigating the
municipal affairs of the city Of Philadel
phia; Congressman w. A. Stone Of ALLIE
ghany, who will enter tho next guberna
torisl race; Senator G. Wesley Thomas o.
Philadelphia, who is talked of as the mex
postmaster of that city; Senator Jame
Mitchell of Jefferson county, who is one O
the most adroit and skillful politicians il
the state; Major I. B. Brown, deputy sec
retary of internal affairs ex- Magistrat,
Israel W. Durham, the Quay leader o
Philadelphia, and others.
The Array OF Leaders.
At the Wanamaker headquarters in tn
Commonwealth, one square away, are tn
anti-Quay leaders. These include Davi,
Martin the Philadelphia leader; Franl
Willing Leach, who is probably possessed
Of more unrevealed political secrets thai
, any other man save Senator Quay II
Pennsylvania; G. l.. Magee, the Pittsbur
leader, who has been elected to a seat il
the state senate; Senator William Finn O
the same city, shrewd and energetic cam
paigner; Thomas Dolan one Of the grea
manufacturers of the country, who sue
cessfully combines business and politics
Senator @. G, Kaufman of Lancaster, tn
original Wanamaker man, and others.
Rudolph Blankenburg Of Philadelphis
c whose friends say he has never been dt
feated in a campaign, is in charge of tn
> headquarters of the Business Mems league
u 1t Is said of him that he organized tn
: movement against General Beaver as tn
slated candidate of the party leaders, whic
# resulted in the election Of Governor Patt