The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-12-28
fsneeial correenondence.l

Special Correspondence
Harrisburg. Dec. 2O.-Political events
of the past week have so crowded upon
the heels Of each other that one scarce
" knows which to take up first Per-
haps the most interesting occurrence
was the gathering Of Democrats for
which John II. Fow, OF Philadelphia.
was responsible. Fow is a unique char
acter His Democracy does not weigh
heavily upon his broad shoulders at
any time. He comes back to the house
this year with a nondescript sort of a
political standing. He was not only
the Democratic candidate for the leg
islature in his district. but he also had
the Republican. the Prohibition and the
Honest Government party nominations.
There are few more crafty politicians
in the state than Fow. Why he called
the Democratic members and senators
together probably no one but himself
will ever be truly certain That the
meeting was called ostensibly to pro-
mote the Wanamaker fusion scheme
for the organization OF the legislature
and the election Of a fusion candidate
for United States senator We ali know.
That 1t was a most complete fizzie is
also a fact. That II gave the fusion
scheme terrible black eye is generally
admitted. And now where does Fow
come in? There are those mean enough
to insinuate that Fow knew II was to
be a failure before 1t was called. and
that Fow is more than ever endeared to
the Republican leaders who win have
the distribution of the patronage on
the hill,r and tho will also make up
the committee appointments for the
speaker OF the house. All the Demo-
Gratis who were deluded into coming
UP here TO attend FoS's fake fusion
meeting are anxious to see what good
committees Fow VIII be placed on
Those who did not come are just as
much interested in the same subject
Hereafter the Democratic members
propose TO look out for themselves.
SUCCESSFUL FUSION IMPOSSIBLE.
No one who understands the situation
has any idea that there Is the slightest
chance Of successful fusion on either
the speaker ship or the senatorship. Not
only are the Caffey leaders and the
Gorson lleutenants Jealous OF each
other. but nearly every member of the
Democratic delegation is eager to get
recognition from the Republican speak
er. and they are all suspicious Of each
others every movement. The fact that
none Of the older members in the DEM
ocratic delegation believes the anti
Quay Republicans can show anything
like the number of votes necessary 10
make NJ the fusion majority on the
speakership makes them all hesitate
about going into a losing deal.
81 -
huzzing under his sombrero at a lively
rate. He has already spent fortune
in the canvass. and he is giving out
some sort of an interview or signed
statement every other day in order to
give the Republicans the impression
that the Democrats are a unit for flu
sion He has State Chairman Garman
helping him TO create sentiment with
the same tactics. They are both talk
ing themselves. hOarse. But Garman In
his latest interview has hurt rather
than helped GUffey's cause. He tells
the Democrats that in view Of the great
national political issues involved in the
election Of United States senator they
must not think Of voting for any Re
publican for Quay's seat They must
draw the line in the fusion negotia-
tions when it comes to electing a mem
Der Of the United States 5, nate.
This interview of Garman's has
brought the true significance of the
present political situation right home
to the Republicans of Pennsylvania.
They see the Democrats standing firm
ly and Loyalty by their free trade. free
silver and anti mckinley policy and
resolutely refusing to consider any
proposition from the anti-Quay Repub-
iicans 10 desert their Democratic stand
ard The Democrats have called a
caucus to be held here on Monday, Jan
?. and ii will then become apparent
that the Wanamaker scheme cannot
be carried out. Republican senators
and members who have been here dur
ing the last week picking out their
seats and selecting their boarding
places for the session all report that
their constituents demand that there
shall be no weakening or wavering Of
the Republican party lines in either the
organization OF the legislature or the
election Of a United States senator.
They all agree that any Republican
who fails to participate in the regu-
larry called caucus of his party will l,e
politically ostracised, not only by their
Republican colleagues here, but by his
constituents at home.
FARR HAS THE CALL.
The contest for the Republican eau
Gus nomination for speaker of the
house, which viii be equivalent to an
election, has in the opinion of many,
been practically decided While Ward
r Bliss. of Delaware; Charles f. Voor-
hees. of Philadelphia: Frank McClain.
OF Lancaster. and William Marshall
of Allegheny. are still in the race. all
indications point to an agreement
among the leaders of different elements
upon Representative John r. Farr of
Lackawanna county Farr, who is
widely known as the advocate of COM
pulsory education and Of the free
school book legislation, is a newspaper
man by profession. He has had the
experience OF several terms in the
house and would make an acceptable
speaker. He has announced a platform
IN which he says that If elected he will
favor a short session, that all elements
in the Republican party shall be treat
ed in a fair and manly manner, and
that it viii be his aim to promote har-
mOny in thc party. Farr voted for
Wanamaker for United States senator.
and on this account many radical Quay
men were 10th to turn in for him for
speaker. In line with the policy de-
termined upon by the party leaders,
who wish TO cement the Republican or
ganization, ell hands will probably
soon recognize the availability Of Farr
and give him cordial support. Senator
Quay declares that he does not propose
to advocate the selection Of any can
didate for speaker. but that he would
like to see the caucus unanimous in
its choice. Secretary OF the Common
wealth Martin was the first leader to
publicly declare for Farr for speaker,
and the Backs county delegation,
through Banking Commissioner Gil
keson. quickly followed suit Others
have since been having themselves en-
rolled. An Interesting feature Of Farr's
candidacy is that il takes into the Re
publican caucus in his interest a num-
Der ef anti-Quay men. while the Quay
men viii. cf course. all participate in
the caucus. As matters stand today il
Is net lf,e'y that there win be more
than four or FIVE Republicans remain
out Of the caucus on the speakership.
The Wanamaker men are still back
ing General KOontz, OF Somerset. for
speaker. They have no idea Of making
much Of a showing in the Republican
caucus. and their only hope Of success
lies in getting enough Republicans who.
with the Democrats. can make up the
necessary 103 votes II the Democrats
could all unite on Koon.z. which is very
improbable. they would then have to
get % Republicans to remain out Of the
Republican caucus and make an alliance
with the Democracy. which is an utter
impossibiliiy.
The Republicans VII elect their speak
er. probably John r Farr Of Lacka-