The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-31
HANNA'S CHANCES BRIGHTEN.
The Probability Is He VIII be Returned
To the Senate, for Some Democrats
Are Opposed To Fusion.

Columbus. O. Dec. 30.--This has been
a day of conferences with the anti
Hanna republicans. and from the best
information obtainabie the results have
not been altogether encouraging, al
though the claims of the faction have
not been modified in the least. These
conferences have been with the lead
ers of the democracy who are i'll favor
of a fusion with the anti-Hanna repub-
licans TO defeat Mr.. hanna. The CEN
trail figures have been Charles l..
Kurtz the leader of the anti Hanna re-
publicans. and Allen O. Meyers, who il
andeavoring to bring the democratic
members elect of the legislature in line
for the proposed fusion. At these con-
ferences the democrats were asked 10
state just how many of their members
could be counted upon in the proposed
fusion. 1t is stated snaf seven demo-
Gratis had refused positively to vote for
anyone except democrat Tor United
States senator, not even free silver
republican. 1t il also understood that
the number of democrats VINO oppose
fusion may be increased To 10 or -
lit developed that almost the entire
democratic vote of the Legislature VIII
be required on fusion TO defeat Ham
ma, and the democratic leaaers are not
willing to enter into any arrangements
which may fail of success, as 1t would
expose the party 10 ridicule. III was
determined to summon all the demo-
cratic members TO Columbus ut once
and kilograms were sent to all of
them requesting them to report Friday
afternoon without fail for a conference.
Whether the plans for a fusion will be
pushed or some plan be adopted by Mr..
Kurtz will probably be deterined by
this conference The only republican
members conspicuous at the anti-Han-
ma Headquarters were Representatives
Bramley and Mason of Cleveland. 1t
was given out that Senator Burke of
Cleveland will vote with the democrats
in the senate. but as Mr.. Burke has not
vet arrived in the city this statement
could not be verified.
Major Dick, who has charge of SEN
ator Hannas personal interests. was
very confident Tonight that the pro-
posed fusion arrangement would be
broken. Sentiment among the republic
cans of the state is rapidly cfystalizins
under the vigorous assaults of the re-
publican newspapers on Mr.. kuftz and
the anti Hanna movement. II is claim
ed that if the anti-Hanna republicans
force deadlock il will bring more peo-
pie to the capital city than have ever
been here before. The supporters of
Mr.. Hanna do not admit that any re-
publican will vote against him, and Ii
is significant that none OF the members
claimed to be opposed to Mr.. Hanna
have publicly said that they would not
vote for him.
A breeze was created to-day by a
statement in an evening paper that
Mr.. Kurtz's lieutenants claimed To
have a written pledge from Representa-
tive Snider of Greene county that ne
would not support Mr. Hanna. Mr..
Snider publicly declared last night that
he would support Hanna, and to-day
delegation of Governor Bushneii ap-
pointees at the xenia home for soldiers
and sailors orphans, which Is located
sn Mr. snider's home county. arrived in
the city and at once began TO importane
him 10 change his mind. Mr.. Snider
was greatly ineensed at this interior
ence. which he considered coming from
an unwarranted source, and promptly
resented ii. Tonight he gave out a
statement in which he says:
Il wish to use my best efforts TO have
recorded by the general assembly the
will of the people twice expressed in
Ohio. once at Toledo at the state con-
yention and again ratified at the polls
in November. and do not believe that
any republican viii be so unmindful of
The trust given. Up TO this time / have
refrained from breaking into print with
statements because of modesty, not be-
Iieying that the public cared To read
my interviews, but the time has now
arrived when all persons interest in the
future of the party must come square
~ out and record themselves on The
side OF the future of the party and our
government"
Governor Bushnell was too busy to-
night to accord an interview regarding
Representative Eniaer's letter. but Mr..
Kurtz who was still at the anti-Hanna
Headquarters, made 10 an associated
press reporter the first authentic utter
ance upon any phase of the senatorial
matter that has as yet been published.
lie said:
Notwithstanding that Mr.. sniders
statements. made from end Of the state
10 the other, that he was for Mr.. Box
well for speaker and against Mr. Hanna
Tor United States senator. notwith-
standing similar statements made by