The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-02-02
LOWER HOUSE TO
VOTE FOR SENATOR
Benson Organization Nill RndeaSOr
to Elect Senator Mitchell.
TO FORCE A VOTE IN SENATE
Rumors Are Rife Of Deal Between All
the Democrats and MltchelI--Lat-
ter's Chances Poor.
sneclal 70 the Antorlan.

Special 70 the A5tOrfan.
Salem. February LA ballot for Unit
ed states senator will be taken in the
Benson house al noon tomorrow and 1t
IL the purpose Of the Mitchell manage
ment TO force a vote Ia the senate. AS
the time for the ballot has approached
the Mitchell men have renewed their
campaign with extraordinary vigor.
They have made special efforts TO Sc
cure assistance from the Democrats.
Rumors OF deal between Mitchell
and the Democrats have been rife all
day. They are warmly denied by the
Democrats, but they continue to fly
about Just the same. II is now gen.
orally reported that It is the purpose Of
the Democrats TO go into joint conven-
ton Wednesday The source OF this
assertion cannot be traced.
Senator Mitchell knows that there
are several memebrs OF the senate who
will vote for him whenever a vote Is
rea,hed, but who viii have nothing 10
do with the joint convention under the
present conditions. His plan is there
, fore 70 force the issue In the senate as
well as in the house To that end he
has represented to the Democratic SEN
ators that Is is entirely proper for them
20 allow the senate % proceed TO vote
tomorrow.
There are three Democrats in the
senate. One of them, Durfer. Is known
TO be friendly to mitchell. The two
Others are asked simply to vote for the
resolution TO proceed TO ballot for Unit
ed States senator. or course this Is
equivalent 10 voting for Mitchell. but,
II they do II. il will be on the plea
that they have had nothing to DO with
the Republican fight and are bound TO
act In accordance with the federal STAT
ute and the United States senate de-
cision in contested election cases. Sen
ator Mitchell has given Senators Daily
and Smith copies Of the senate decision
in Dubois case, and they are looking
up tonight.
When a motion is made tomorrow in
/ the senate to proceed to ballot, II is
likely Il will be ruled out OF order by
President Simon. II will be then ne
oessaTy to appeal from The decision of
the chair. and 1t will take a majority
vote TO overrule It. Even with all the
Democrats voting with the Mitchell
senator's. which Is not likely. II now
seems doubtful IL a majority can be
secured. The presence or absenes of
Brownell. Mitchell man. may cut &
great figure. Browneil has been very
sick and was absent from his seat since
the opening week. No certain forecast
Of the probable action OF the senate
can therefore be given. but the chances
are in favor of its declining to proceed
TO a vote.
The Benson caucus today decided to
take vote whether thirty-one are pres
ent or not. For the past week only
thirty have attended. Misener. Of Crook
being absent. Misener is very badly
wanted to make up a majority,
II Mitchell receives a majority of the
senate and a majority Of the Benson
organization, thirty-one being present
he will claim the election and that the
ballot in joint convention Is unneces.
sary.
Nothing of importance was done In
either Of the houses or senate today.