Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-30
ANTI-HANNA MEN FIGHTING AS If
THEY HAD A CHANCE.
WILL DEAL WITH DEMOCRATS.
THEY ARE PLANNING TO ORGANIZE
THE LEGISLATURE.
OHcr Democrats All but Spcakcrship y
and CIerkship-SOmeD Democrats
Won't Go Into the Deal
Anti-Hnnna Votes Are
Hard to Find.

Columbus, o., Dec. %a.-rhcrc WAS an in
fluX of legislators Tonight, and the scenes
about the hotel lobbes indicated that the
senatorial election is the absorbing ques-
ton. although the scramble for place i'll the
organization of the house and senate is live
licr than for several sessions. That the
anti-Ilanna Republicans. led by Charles
KurtZ. Will test the strength of their forces
in the Organization of the legislature WAS
indicated by the unofficial announcement
that Representative Mason. of Cleveland,
would oppose Representative Eoxweil OF
Warren county. for speaker. Mr.. Mason.
accompanied by Representatives Bramiey, OF
Cleveland, both of whom are known to be
uEfriendly to Senator Hanna, opened head
quarters at the Great Southern hotel to-
day, and it was generally understood that
the anti-Hanna men would conduct their
campaign from that place. On the question
of his candidacy for the Speakershtp, Rep
resentative Mason is non-committal.
1T is significant that the Democratic
state headquarters are located in the same
hotel. Allen y. Myers is the apparent leader
of the Democrats in the proposed fusion
with the anti-Hanna Republicans. Mr.
Myers has given out that the Democratic
members of the house will support Repre-
sentative Mason for speaker. and c. II.
Gerrish, of Columbus, one of Mr.. kurtZ'
lieutenants, for clerk of the house, III op-
position to John X. Malloy. The alIti-Htn-
na Republicans, 1t is generally understood.
are to turn all the other offices of the
house over TO the Democrats in considera-
ton of the election of the men chosen by
Mr.. kurtz for speaker and clerk.
y conference of Democratic members OF
the legislature and party leaders Is 10 be
held here Friday to discuss the proposed
fusion with the anti-fianna Republicans.
Within the last few pays. a strong oppo-
sition has arisen from certain Democrats
to the proposed fusion, and il Is now GER
tain that all the Democratic membe,s who
arrived in the city Tonight stated emphat-
ically that they would not vote for any
one except a Democrat for United States
senator These members will serve their
first term. and Say that if they voted for
any Republican to defeat Senator Hanna
they would not be returned.
There was q conference of Republican
leaders at Major Dicks rooms in the Neil
this afternoon and tonight. but 1t was
stated they were merely talking over the
situation. Major Dick stated that Senator
HannaS Reelection was assured.
1t was significant that Representative
Snider, of Green county. who was formerly
counted as an anti-Hanna man. was con-
SpicuouS at Major Dicks headquarters and
working in Senator Hanna'S interests. Sew
eral Republican members. upon their ar
| rival to-day, were claimed by Mr.. kurtz
lieutenants 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 as
| Serts himself to his confidential friends tina;
| Senator Hanna will be defeated.