The times., 1898-12-16
OPPOSITION FUSION
AGAINST SENATOR QUAY
CONFERENCE OF THE LEADERS
A Proposition That Mny Seriously
Dtsturb the Aspirations of the
Pennsylvnninn.

Harrisburg, Pa, Dec. 15.-Six senators
and forty-two members of the house held
a conference here yesterday to consider
fusion with the independent or anti-ouay
Republicans in the organization of the
lower branch of the legislature
1t is a move against Quay's rejection.
but unless more ginger is injected into
the fusion scheme it will die of inanition
1t developed soon after the conference
was called that Col. James N. Guffey and
other Democratic leaders were not favor
able to a conference at this time, and they
threw cold water on the movement. This
explained the absence of so many Demo-
cratic legislators yesterday and the apa-
thy of those who came TO Harrisburg.
Despite the lack of spirit In the con-
ference, the more earnest members say
fusion is not only possible but extremely
probable. They declare that the few
men who are for Quay on the Democratic
side of the house will not be permit ed to
rule the others-that not even Guffey or
Garman. the chairman OF the STATE COM
mitiee, will dare to interfere.
John II. Fow. of Philadelphia. called
the conference 10 order in the supreme
court room. Mr. Fow said that the ru-
merical strength of the Democrats n he
coming house justified the organ alton of
their forces. But" he said, we never
knew whether a caucus was 10 lie held
nor the time nor place. and were equally
unacquainted with each other
He declared that the Democratic party
had made certain pledges to the people
of Pennsylvania and 1t was necessary to
show them that the party had united in
order TO carry them out. Further than
this. SAID he there were certain men in
the Republican party who do not approve
OF the methods Of some of the men of
the party with which they are affiliated.
SO far as TIT organization of the house
is concerned. and that it is the duty Of
the Democrats to give these men a clearly
defined lead to follow
George r. Dixon of Elk. was chosen to
preside, and Robert NJ. Foster, of Center,
was secretary.
Mr.. Fow moved that notices for a eau
Gus to be held the first Monday in Jan
u2ry be sent by the secretary OF the con-
! ference to the Democratic members Of the
house five days prior to taat date. An
amendment was offered by Representa-
tive Manning. of Cumberland. that the
notifications of the caucus be Issued for
7:3O O'Clock on the evening of January 2.
1899
Mr.. Fow objected very strenuous'y to
the issue of the notices by the State
chairman. contendng that by SO doing the
body was delegating their authority to
another power in opposition to legislative
precedent
Capt. George W. Skinner. of Fulton,
said he did not see why the notices could
not be sent out by resident Secretary
Van Dyke. of this city. but thought the
| point immaterial He said the confer
ence did not wish to foster the idea that
| an Interior meaning was intended by
| Withholding from the State chairman tie
| authority for issuing the call for the
| caucus. Mannng's amendment carried
and the State chairman will issue the call
! for the caucus
William r Greasy. of Cumberland. of
| fered the following eso'ution which was
carried without dissenting vote:
| Resolved. That as representatives, of
the Democratic party. we hereby pledge
! our best endeavors to promote legislative
| reform measures and in order to do this
! most successfully we are ready to unite
with all members of whatever party in
| the organization of the house for the
purpose of giving to the people of Penn
| syIvania such legislation as will promote
| good government in our State.
| It is understood that the caucus on
January will appoint n committee to
confer with a like committee from the in
| dependent Republicans with a view to
| organizing the house '-' '@T''
Senator ouay's friends are not much
| disturbed over the outlook. They say
there will be no fusion, either on the or
! ganization of the house or the Senator
| shin