The sun., 1898-12-26
THE SENATORIAL PROBLEM
Belief Prevails That Hon. George
Gray's Return Strengthens
His Chances.
REGULAR REPUBLICANS VIEW
The Fight For Speakership of the
State Senate Between Meredith
and Pyle--The Protested
Seats in Senate
and House.
REGULAR REPUBLICANS VIEW

American Peace Commissioners will no
doubt act as an additional impetus to the
Regular Republicans who are SO desirous
of having him returned to the United
States Senate at the dictation of the ad-
ministration.
1t will also to marked extent spoil
the scheme whereby Willard Salisbury
hoped to defeat the plans of the Regulars
and their Democratic friends.
A prominent Regular Republican DUR
ing an interview yesterday afternoon
stated that he knew that certain Regu-
lars will do all in their power to prevent
the election of J. Edward Addicks to the
United States Senate and that they
would rather see Mr.. Gray returned in
preference to Mr.. Addicks securing the
honor.
1t is a recognized fact, he said, that the
fight lay between Mr.. Gray and Mr..
Addicks and as the latter has at least
eighteen of the thirty-one Republican
members of the next General Assembly
he will need nine other Republicans in
order to gain the high position to which
he aspires.
On the other hand he concluded, Mr..
Gray, by caucus, will have every one of
the twenty-one Democratic members at
his back and as he will only need six
votes to elect it is more than probable
that they will be forthcoming when the
required time arrives, and the fight is
prolonged to any great extent.
! A prominent politician from down the
State said yesterday that all of the Demo-
cratic State Senators-elect from Sussex
and Kent counties were unit for Sena-
tor Samuel NJ Meredith for Speaker of
the Senate.
The contest for this honor, he stated,
had narrowed down to the Senator from
Kent and Senator John Pyle of New Cas-
tie county.
During the past week Mr.. Pyle paid a
visit to Kent and Sussex counties, but
being aware of the unanimity existing
between the Democrats there on the
election of Mr.. Meredith, he had con-
fined himself solely to visiting the Re-
publican members-elect of the State
Senate.
Mr.. Pyle is known as shrewd and
strategic worker, and has carried more
than one desperate political situation
through to successful end through his
astute manipulation of the wires.
The belief prevails that Mr.. Pyle has
been promised the support of number
of Republicans in his candidacy for the
speakership, and it is looked upon as
probable that he will gain his ends.
For this support, in case he is success
full, it is said, the Republicans will re-
ceive recognition by being placed on
important committees and in one or two
instances, be appointed chairmen.
State Senator Moore, OF Sussex county,
says that he is not after the speakership
and will keep hands off, it is said, pro-
viding he is allowed to name the next
clerk of the Senate. This person is be-
lieved to be William A. Gumb, of Sus
sex.
Senator Robert Lewis, of Kent county,
is backing Alexander M. DAILY, of Dover,
for the same position.
There are now two seats in jeopardy |
in the next General Assembly. one in
the Senate and one in the House.
In the first instance DR.. Hiram r.
Burton, Republican, will protest the seat
Of State senator-elect Franklin G. Maull,
Democrat, from the Fifth Senatorial
district, Sussex county. 1t is not thought
that he will regain the seat tor the reason
that he withdrew his contest against Mr..
Maull when the Superior Court was tabu-
lating the vote.
In the House Elwood G. Killen, Demo-
crat, of the Eighth Representative dis
trict, Kent county, will file protest
against Representative.elect George G.
Herring, Union Republican taking his
seat.
Mr.. Herring was declared elected by a
plurality of five, and it is not probable
that Mr.. Killen's protest will be enter
tanned.