The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-30
THE ANTI-HANNA FIGHT.
Preparing at Columbus For the
q. Great Senatorial Contest. v
BOTH SIDES EXPRESS CONFIDENCE
Democrats who Have Been Counted
Upon to Unite With Anti-HRnna N en-
Are Expressing Dlsapproval OF tho
Proposed Fusion With Republicans.

Proposed Fusion With Republicans
Columbus, O., Dec. 3O.-There was ar
influx of legislators last night and thf
scenes about the hotel lobbies indi-
Gated that the senatorial election is
the absorbing question, although the
scramble for place In the organization
Of the house and senate is livelier than
for several sessions. That the anti
Hanna Republicans, led by Charles
Kurtz, will test the strength oil theig
forces In the organization of the leg
islature was indicated by the unofficial
announcement that Representative Ma
son, of Cleveland would oppose Repre-
sentative Boxwell, of Warren county.
for speaker.
Mr.. Mason. accompanied by Repre-
sentative Bramley, of Cleveland, both
of whom are known to be unfriendly
to Senator Hanna. opened headquar-
ters at the Great Southern hotel yes
terday, and it was generally UNDER
stood that the anti Hanna men would
conduct their campaign from that place.
1t is significant that the Democratic
state headquarters are located in the
same hotel.
Allen o. Myers is the apparent leader
OF the Democrats in the proposed
fusion with the anti-Hanna Republi-
cans Mr.. Myers has given out that
the Democratic members of the house
will support Representative Mason for
speaker and c. H. Gerrish, of Colum-
bus. one of Mr.. Kurtz's lieutenants, for
clerk of the house in opposition to
Tn hdoll hn
publicans, 1t is generally understood
are to turn all the other officers of the
house over to the Democrats In con-
sideration Of the election of the men
chosen by Mr.. Kurtz for speaker and
clerk.
A conference Of Democratic members
Of the legislature and party leaders is
to be held here Friday to discuss the
proposed fusion with the anti-Hanna
Republicans. Within the last few days
strong opposition has arisen from cer-
tain Democrats to the proposed fusion.
and 1t Is now certain that all the Demo-
cratic members cannot be whipped into
line. Several Democratic members
who arrived in the city last night stated
emphatically they would not vote for
States senator These members will
serve their first term, and say that If
they voted for any Republican to de-
feat Senator Hanna they would not be
returned.
There was a conference of Republican
leaders at Major Dicks rooms yester-
day afternoon and last night, but 1t
was stated they were merely talking
over the situation. Major Dick stated
that Senator Hanna's reelection was
assured. 1t was significant that Rep
resentative Snyder, of Green county,
who was formerly counted as an anti
Hanna man, was conspicuous at Major
Dicks headquarters and working in
Senator Hanna's interests. Several Re-
publican members upon their arrival
were claimed by Mr.. Kurtz's lieuten-
ants as opposed to Senator Hanna, but
on being pressed admitted they intend
ed to vote for him. While Mr.. Kurtz
denies himself to all public interviews,
he still asserts to his confidential
friends that Senator Hanna will be de-