New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-13
HINRICHSEN'S HOPE BLASTED.
HE CANNOT BECOME CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMO
CRATIC CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.

HE CANNOT BECOME CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMO
CRATIC CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
Washington. Jan u (SpeciaD-Probaby the
worst Disguised and most unhappy Democratic
Congressman In Washington tonight is the HON.
William H.-better known as "Buck'-tilnrichseh'
OF Illinois Although he has not yet served many
months OF his first term in Congress Mr.. hinrlch-
aspired to the chairmanship OF the Dehoci"uc
Congressional Committee. and had laid his plans
so skilfully and pulled the wires so shrewdiy that
he felt assured of election 10 that honorable ana
influential Office But he had neglected one thing,
which, insignificant as 1t seemed to him 10 be- was
al-important. He could not be elected chairman or
tho Congressional Committee unless he was chosen
a member of IT, and the power of selection resided
IN the Democratic Representatives from Illinois or
whom there arc four including himself and not
including Jehu Baker (whilom Republican REPRE-
sentative who defeated Colonel Morrison In 1885,
and now Fusiopist Representative, who declines 10
have anything 10 say In matters affecting the DEM
ocratc party organization. Well, the four Illinois
Democrats held n meeting to-day to select their
representative in the Congressional Committee,
Two ballots were required mako the selection,
and Mr.. Hunter. who had already served one term
in Congress. was chosen.
Before the vote taken NJ. Hnrichsen made
a powerful and affecting but fruitless appeal 10
his colleagues for their support. He wants to be
the next Democratic candidate for Governor Of Ili
noi. and so does Mr. Hunter. After the result had
been declared Mr. HinrichsrI condcd his sorrow
10 a Star reporter. to whom ne said: II under
stand that these gentlemen claim to be carrying
out the wishes OF certain prominent Democrats in
Illinois. | know this lie untrue 70 the great
mass OF the Democracy OF the State. including the
leaders. received a telegram yesterday from the
secretary OF the State Committee saying that every
member Of the committee was for me. nave re-
ceived letters and kilograms from hundreds of the
prominent Democrats OF our State expressing the
wish that ! succeed. Nearly all the Democratic
newspapers in state II not ALL have commented
favorably upon my candidacy for chairman In the
House fully four-ifths OF the members were for
me. and twenty -one members OF the committee,
being clear majority, were pledged 10 my support
In fact II conceded that would be elected and
there would probably have been no other candidate
these facts laid before the Illinois delegation,
and were fully verified by proofs. yet Mr.. Hunter
and Mr.. Campbell nave chosen to antaSonZe the
wishes not only Of the Democracy In our state. Dut
for me so long as the question OF Craftsmanship was
In doubt. but az soon as Il became evident that /
would be selected for that position they, by their
action took the chairmanship away from the State
OF Illinois. can stand il II they can The DemOc-
racy will judge between us"
Senator Faulkner of West Virginia, who was
chairman OF the Democratic Congressional Com
mittee in the disastrous campaigns OF 1891 ana
1896 has positively refused TO stand rs candidate
for reelection TO that Office. Ii was against his
wish, he said to-day. that he was reelected in
1896. and his duties chairman had prevented his
giving the attention needed to the interests OF his
ty-three years West Virginia lost TO the Dem
ocratic party. and he felt 1t the duty Of every
Democrat In the State devote his entire energies
to reforming the broken ranks of the party organ
izaton. Concerning his probable successor as
chairman Senator Faulkner refused make any
prediction