The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-10
CLAIMS AS TO STRENGTH
ESTIMATE OF VOTES PROMISED FOR
SENATORIAL CANDIDATES.
As Their Friends Tell It-What Lit
Teton Says of a
RumOr.

There was dearth of politicians around
the Denison yesterday afternoon, and the
senatorial candidates and their friends spent
the day in shaking hands with themselves
and felicitating themselves over the out
look. 1t was lovely, and every one was quiet
and happy and contented. The Hanly men
claimed that their favorite had made more
progress and gained more strength within
the past few days than at any time since
the canvass opened. Mr.. Hanly himself said
he was well satisfied and he smiled large,
expansive and joyous smile. Mr.. Beverage
surprised everybody by dropping in for
few moments. He said he is going to be
Senator Fairbanks's colleague shook hands
all around, threw q few bouquets Of happi-
ness at all within reach and walked out
with expression of pure, unadulterated
joy on his countenance. Lieutenant Gov
ernor Haggard spread himself over one of
the couches in the lobby and folded his
hands in quiet contentment He said that
there was no doubt in the world but that
the caucus would find it necessary to final
ly select Governor Mount for the senator
ship, and he was happy, very, very happy.
1t was peaceful atmosphere and nothing
occurred to mar the bliss.
A friend close to Mr.. Beverage set forth
shows how Mr. Beveridge is running. He
is going to be elected, too. He now has
twenty-three votes for him sure, and he is
gaining every day."
This is the first declaration as to the
strength of any of the candidates. All esti-
mates of the strength of each one might
be made ridiculous at any time from even
slight cause, and so far as the votes which
mil ha fOp
cerned, the caucus is a long way ahead.
Speculation is rife as to the present
strength of each candidate, and the esti-
mates vary according to the partisanship
of the making them. Many changes
may occur in the strength of each candl-
date but as they stand to-day BeVerldge
friends claim with twenty-three declared
votes he heads the list A conservative est-
mate was made yesterday by a member
familiar with the situation and Major steele
was credited with having about eighteen
votes at the present time. His friends claim
many more The Hanly campaign Is an ex-
his strength We're harder to make than of
any other candidate. Mr.. Hanly nor MS
friends have said anything as 10 the num-
Der of votes he now has, but they all seem
perfectly satisfied. He was given credlt Tor
having about sixteen votes now. Mr.. Posey
was put down at twelve votes, put the oplh-
ion was expressed that he would gain con-
siderable strength. Judge Taylor was
credited with eight votes, but 1t was stated
that he counted on ten sure ones. OlNlilB
them all the benefit of the claims made
brings the total to seventy-nine votes and
leaves only ten of the caucus unaccounted
for Yesterday was the first time there has
been q general speculation as to the nu-
mericaI strength of the candidates, and the
standing may change materially any day.
Il. l.. Littleton yesterday afternoon re-
turned to the city and at once stated that
the first he heard of the report that the
Steele influence would be thrown to him
for speake- was when he saw it in the pa
pers. "It~there is such PLAN" said he, Il
know nothing of 1t and it is without my
consent. The election OF a United States
senator is but one of the incidents and du-
ties of this Legislature, although 1t is an
exceedingly important one. But there are
other matters of great importance to come
before the Legislature, and there Is much
to be done for the State and for the people
as a whole This important legislation will
be largely decided upon in committee work,
for, with few exceptions, the action taken
is that recommended by the committees. 1t
is most important that the men on these
committees and in charge of them should be
appointed for their fitness for the position
and not to help the candidacy Of any one
for senator. i am absolutely independent
of any senatorial candidate and will gov
ern my appointments according to the fit
ness of the men if / am elected, and not
to help or hinder any senatorial candidate.
Representative Steele will probably visit
this city early next week and establish
headquarters, prepared to see the senatorial
fight through to finish.