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

Harrisburg. Dee. e7.-There Is going
10 be a great crowd here at the or
ranizatIon Of the legislature next Tues
aay. Ehe widespread belief that action
on the United States senaiorship VIII be
taken by the Republicans about the
same tine VII draw many 10 the city
who ordinarily would not attend the
initial sessions Of the general assembly.
All the hctess have big bookings for
rooms. Many % the party leaders IN
the different sections CT the state arc
expected here as early as sunday FOR
preliminary conferences The Eepub-
leans and Democrats VII. each have 4
caucus on Monday. jan ?. to agree
upon their respective candidates TO be
supported for speaker Of the house
Though there have been FEW important
Developments In The political situation
during the last few days. al signs point
10 a drawing of the PARTY lines by both
the Republicans and the Democrats.
Fusion seems to have gone 20 smash
The Wanamaker newspapers Of Phil
adeiphia and vicinity have ceased 10
devote colurln after column OF space
to pufing fusion candidates for speak
er. They have discovered that the idea
Is not Eny more popular with Repuoi-
cans than was the Swallow movement,
which those same papers supported SO
heartily in the last guOernatorial cam
paign. With every newspaper in Phil
adelphia that carries the Wanamalle-
store advertisement booming swallow
in every issue. the whole outfit could
not give Swallow but 25.47s votes in
the entire Quaker City, and many OF
these came from the old line Prohi-
bitIonis;s. and quite proportion C.
them were Democrats. Republican
sentiment has no more sympathy with
the present fusion agitation than II had
with the Swallow CAM
Stalwart Republicanism Is goinb 20
control the situation here at the cr-
Eanization OF the legislature and In
the selection OF the candidate for Uni
ted States senator. Although Farr. OF
Laekawanna. has big lead in the race
for the Republican caucus nomination
for speaker. it Is still free for al
struggle. Bliss, Of Delaware. Mcclain
Of Lancaster, Marshall of Allegheny
and VOORHEES, OF Philadelphia and the
others are still in the field, and each
has quite an enthusiastic following. IL
Is not believed that any one win be
slated by the leaders so that whoever
shall procure the largest number OF
votes in the caucus at the outset Of the
balloting viii be apt TO draw votes from
those less fortunate until he shall have
gotten a majority. There are 124 Re
pubIcans "a Democrats and 3 fusion
lists Cf0rmer Re publieans) in the house.
so that 81 votes will be a majority OF
the Republican caucus.
The Democratic candidates for speak
er OF the house. Skinner OF Fulton, Fos-
ter Of Centre and Spatz of Berks. are
all on the go. and each is hopeful that
In the event OF a factional disagreement
among the Republicans he will get the
support OF enough disgruHtled Repub-
leans to elect him speaker. OF course.
nobody is harmed by these wild speeu-
lations. and # it gives the gentlemen
who indulge in them any special sat
isfaction IL would be q. shame TO deny
them this pleasure. The fact is that
the old time members Of the legislature
realize that the Republican caucus
nominee for speaker is going to be
elected. and they are not being carried
away with the fusion talk. They would
prefer to vote for a. Democratic can
ulQaAE a0I SftdkEts a. NAlNg AnNh NNt@-
not be accused Of taking sides in the
Republican quarrels. They are all
anxious not TO offend the man who will
be speaker, as he VIII have the max
Ing q all committee appointments. Be
sides this he win be in a position 10 help
them in many other directions.
covernor-elect Stone is as silent as
4 sphinx as TO his cabinet appoint
ilents. No one can. up 10 date. make,
with any degree OF authority. predic-
ton as to a single nomination. We
are all anxious TO know who VIII be
the attorney general. who win take
David Martins place as secretary OF
the commonwealth. who viii he insur-
ance commissioner. who VIII be bank
ing commissioner. and who win fiji the
several other good berths at the dis
posal of the governor. Because OF his
efficient services in the canvass for the
nomination and subsequently in the
conduct OF the campaign for the cleo
tion State Chairman Elkin has been
regarded by many as entitled 10 recog-
milton. and his name has been men
toned in connection with the appoint
ment as attorney general Mr.. Elkin's
friends, commenting upon the Opposi
tion TO his selection for this office. point
TO the fact that the objections come
from the same newspapers that OPP
posed Colonel Stone not only for the
nomination. but also for the election.
They declare that these are not the
sources from which the governOr-elect
is likely TO seek advice when he comes
to make up his cabinet. The opinion
prevails that Colonel Stone viii not
make any announcements of appoint
ments uutil the Inauguration. General
Reeder OF Northampton. w. w Griest
OF Lancaster. Senator Israel W. Dur
ham OF Philadelphia and two or three
others have been mentioned for secre-
tary of the commonwealth, but il Is
known from the highest authority that
no one has yet been chosen for the
place. Colonel Stone has been In con-
suitation with leading Republicans I'm
different counties. and is making an
earnest effort TO harmonize the var
ious elements in the Republican party.
II IS believed that he WIN make q
splendid record in the executive Office.
Plans for the Inauguration are pro-
crossing favorably There is a DISPOSE
tion TO oppose the bringing OF many
troops 10 take part in the Inaugural
tion parade. 1t is not believed that the
members of the National Guard. many
Of whom were away from home for
long time during the recent war. have
any desire to come here. There will be
a delegation OF veterans from Colonel
Stones old regiment. and a number
of Republican clubs from Philadelphia.
Df4fGf.far-r aff. .
these will be accompanied BY their own
bands Of music. and special banners
and uniforms have been ordered for thu
occasion
Among the recent visitors here was
Colonel Clayton McMichael. OF Phila-
delphia. He is one Of the closest friends
of President Mckinley in Pennsylvania.
In commenting upon the senatorial con-
test Colonel MeMichaeI said:
Very much is being made OF Sena-
tor Quays action in standing as a can
didate for reelection in view OF tho
charges which have been made against
him. Is there any public official With
Senator Cuay's record Of duty perform
ed who would retire under fire. What
proof has been advanced yet that Sena-
tor Quay is guilty? And IL the absence
Of such proof. which can only be pro-
duced upon the trial Of his case, COM
mon decency, as well as the law. savs
he shall be presumed to he innocent.
Suppose every candidate for Office could
be induced TO retire from the field upon
charges against his honesty and integ-
rity being preferred. would there be
lacking political enemies who would in
At oh