New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-21
CHARLES A. BALLS CANDIDACY.

HOPEFUL. OF BEING ELECTED CLERK OF THE
SENATE IN SPITE OF PI-ATT"s OPPOSITION.
There seems 10 be a very fair chance that Sena-
tor Platt will be able TO carry his point IN the
contest for the clerksh!p OF the next Senate, and
that Charles A. Ball. OF Allegany County, the
ent deputy clerk, will be elected when the Senate
meets next month. 10 I'LL the vacancy caused by
the retirement Of Clerk John s. Kenyon. who was
recently elected secretary OF the State Railroad
Commission. The Senators-those who know him
have only the klndest feeling personally for ex
Assemblyman James s. Whippe. OF Cattaraugus
Caunty whose candidacy for the cierkship OF their
body is being urged by ex-senator Commodore p.
Vedder. and has the support Of Senator Plat: but
many OF them feel that In this matter Mr.. Plau IS
asking too much OF them. Mr.. Ball is staying at
the Metropole in this city; and while he s un-
willing 10 talk for publication II 10 known that he
is confident that he will be Mr. Kenyon's successor.
One OF his friends said last night that Mr.. Ball
sure OF twenty votes in the caucus OF Repub
lican Senators. and would probably have more.
There are thrty-sx Republican Senators. nineteen
being a caucus majority. Mr. Ball has been con-
nected with the Senate In various capacities for
many years. and has been efficient and popular
ofic!al: when ne asked for the support OF tho
Republican Senator's near the close OF the last scs
sion IN his candidacy for the office from which
Mr.. Kenyon would soon retire he obtained with
out dlriculty the pledges Of practically all OF them.
Those who now are disposed TO support Mr.. Whip
pie, 1t is said. are puzzled 10 find excuse for
their change OF heart and the bes: that some OF
them have 10 offer is that when they promised Mr..
Ball their votes they thought that Mr.. Kenyon
was not going 10 give up the cierkship until next
March or April Even Senator Plat, 1t is reported.
declared In favor Of Mr. Ball only few weeks be-
fore tho recent election and 1t Is not clearly
derstood why no is now insisting upon the seec-
ton OF Mr.. Whlpplc. Senator George r. Malby, Of
ST. Lawrence County. said last night that he had
plainly n Sunday intended
to vote for Mr. Ball The latter. he added. had been
long In the employ Of the Senate we'll liked
by all the Senator's and was a thoroughly compe-
tent man. who fully deserved the promotion he
sought 1t was pity, ne added. II the Senators
were not to be allowed to select their officials;
and he thought there few Senators who
would not like 70 Mr.. Ball the next clerk
The only trouble be. TO the minds Of
Mr.. Balls friends. that Senator Plat may. TO use
the language OF one of them, put the clamps on
In behalf OF Mr. Whpple Yet the supporters Of
Mr.. Ball. as already said. believe that Mr.. Plat
Will not be able to influence enough Senators to
secure the election of Mr.. Whipple. 1t Is pointed
out that Mr. Whppls hardly claim the Office
as reward for valuable political services as his
work in his homo county in behalf OF the Plat
least. not been brilliantly successful. Besides.
Senator Vedder, who lives In this city and has a
worker for, Mr.. Whipple. is Senator Frank ".
ike Mr. edder and pc Mr. by he is
a Cattaraugus County man. Senators John Grant,
otseso County were in town last night but both
were non-committal as TO the contest for the
Chairman Hackett, who professed not to know
even that there was any contest. He said that
that It would be- Setter to let the Senator'S setis
this matter themselves than to attempt to COM
porter as was eommny
that senator Plat ,tay favored Mr.: whippe; Mr..
pile has a good friend"