The evening times., 1898-12-15
OPPOSITION FUSION
AGAINST SENATOR QUAY
CONFERENCE OF THE LEADERS
A Proposition That May Seriously
Disturb the Aspirations of the
Pennaylyauiau.

Harrisburg, Pa, Dec. 15.-Six senators
and forty-two members of the house held
conference here yesterday to consider
fusion with the Independent or anti-Quay
Republicans in the organization of the
lower branch OF the legislature.
1t is a move against Quays reelection,
but unless more ginger is injected into
the fusion scheme 1t 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 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 VINO are for Quay on the Democratic
side of the house will not be permitted to
rule the others-that not even -Guffey or
Garman, the chairman of the State COM
mittee, viii dare TO interfere.
john ii. Fow, of Philadelphia called
the conference to order in the supreme
court room. Mr. Fow said that the nu-
merical strength of the Democrats in the
coming house justified the organization of
their forces. But" he said, I'VE never
knew whether caucus was 10 be held
nor the time nor place. and We're equally
unacquainted with each other"
He declared that the Democratic party
mad made certain pledges to the people
of Pennsylvania. and 1t was necessary 10
show them that the party had united in
nrC To hon he, tI,a
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 uht organization of the house
is concerned. and that Ii 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 dn jan
uary be sent by the secretary of the con-
ference to the Democratic members of the
house five days prior to that date. An
amendment was offered by Representa-
tive Manning, of Cumberland. that the
notifications of the caucus, be issued for
7:30 O'Clock on the evening of January 2
1899
Mr.. Fow objected very strenuously to
the issue of the notices by the State
chairman contending 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 the
authority for issuing the call for the
caucus Manning's amendment carried
and the State chairman will issue the call
for the caucus.
William T Greasy, of Cumberland, Of
fered the following resolution. 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
sylvania such legislation as will promote
good government in our State"
1t is understood that the caucus on
January . will appoint a committee to
confer with like committee from the in
dependent Republicans with view to
organizing the house.
Senator Quays 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.