The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-30
BOTH OF THEM COCK SUR {
ALLEGED DECKER WITH DEMO.
GRATIS FOR ORGANIZATION.
SOME DEMOCRATS AGAINST FUSION
And Some So-CaIled Anti Hanna Republicans
Fail Pan 0ut.-1he Democratic and
kurtz Headquarters Are ins
the Same Hotel.

Columbus, o., Dec. 20.-There was an
influx of legislators tonight and the
scenes about the hotel lobbics indicated
that the senatorial election is the alb
sorbing question although the scramble
for place in the organization of the
House and Senate is liyelier than fcr
several sessions. That the anti-Hanla
Republicans, led by Charles Kurtz, Esu.,
will test the strength of their forces in
the organization of the legislature, was
indicated by the unofficial announcement
that Representative Mason, of Cleve-
land, would oppose Representative Boxe,
of Warren county for speaker Mr.. Ma
son, accompanied by Representative
Brambley, of Cleveland. both of whom
are known to be unfriendly to Senator
Hanna, opened headquarters at the Great
Southern Hotel to-day and it was gen
orally understood that the anti-Hanna
men would conduct their campaign from
that place. On the question of his cam
didacy for the speakership. Representa-
tive Mason is non-committal. 1t is sig
nifcant that the Democratic State Head
quarters are located in the same hotel.
Allen O. Myers, is the apparent leader
of the Democrats in the proposed fusion
Myers hrs given out that the Democrats
of the House will support RepreseRta-
tive Mason for speaker, and G. TT.
, Cerrish, of Columbus, one Of Mr.
Furtz's lieutenants. for clerk of the
House in opposition to John Malloy. The
anti-Hanna Republicans. it is generally
understood. are to turn all the other
Offices Of the House over to the Demo-
pr0 in ,ctf lOpo . fHO cJo
the men chosen by Mr. Kurtz for speak
er and clerk. A conference of Demo-
cratic members of the legislature and
party lenders is TO be held here Friday
to discuss the proposed fusion with tho
anti-Hanna Republicans. Within the
last few days strong opposition has aris-
en- from certain Democrats to the rropos-
ed fusion and it is now certain that all
the Democratic members cannot he
whipped into line. Several Democratic
members who arrived in the CITY tonight
stated emphatically they would not vote
for any one except a Democrat for Uni
ted States Senator. These members will
serve their first term and saw that r.
they voted for any Republican TO defeat
Senator Hanna they would not be re-
turned. There was n conference OF Re-
pupiA'Hu FtutfS At mdJOf LICK rooms
in the Neil this afternoon and tonight
but it was stated they were merely talk
ing over the situation. Major Dick stat
ed that Senator Hannais reelection was
assured. It was significant that Rep-
resentative Snider, of Green county.
who was formerly counted az an anti
Hanna man, was conspicuous at Mai
Dicks headquarters and working in SEN
ator Hanna's interests. Several Repubii-
can members, upon their arrival to-day
were claimed by Mr.. Kurtz's ,ieuten-
ants as opposed to Senator Hanna. but
on being pressed, admitted they intended
to vote for him. While Mr. Kurtz de-
MES himself to all public interviews he
still asserts to his confidentiol friends
that Senator Hanna will be Defeated