Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-03
Mr.. HOPKINS WlTHDRAWS
Illinois Candidate for speakership Will
Support General Henderson.
Representative Sherman of New York
Announces That He is Sill
in the Race.

A dispatch from Chicago last night says:
Congressman A. j. Hopkins this afternoon
withdrew from the national speakership
contest in favor of Colonel d. B. Hender-
son of Iowa. Nine of the fourteen con-
gressmen in the Illinois delegation were
present at the general roundup meeting
held in the Grand Pacific Hotel this after
noon After four hours discussion behind
closed doors it was decided to withdraw
Mr.. Hopkins name and support Colonel
Henderson. The conference was perfectly
harmonious.
Mr.. Hopkins made the following state
ment: Il have had full conference with
the Illinois republican delegation in Con-
gress today, and the situation of the
speakership contest was fully discussed
including the action of our neighboring
states in declaring for Colonel Henderson
of Iowa.
My colleagues and l recognize the great
responsibilities devoving upon the Fifty
sixth Congress, and the necessity for per-
feet harmony in the republican party. To
further prOlOng my candidacy. whether
successful or unsuccessful, it is thought
might result in embarrassment to the sue
cessful candidate in the proper administra-
ton Of his great office.
believing as | do that my retirement
from the speakerShip race at this time
will simplify the situation and cOnduce to
harmony in the party, with consequent
best results tc the whole country. 1 have,
with the approval of the Illinois delega-
ton decided to withdraw from the speak
erShip contest.
After my withdrawal and further con-
ference by the delegation, it was decided
to support Colonel Henderson's candidacy
for the speakership, in which action | fully
concur.
My withdrawal and the subsequent ac-
ton of the Illinois delegation were had
without any consultation with Colonel Hen
derson or any of his supporters, and with
out his or their knowledge"
At the conclusion of the conference Mr.
Hopkins sent the following telegram to
Colonel Henderson at Dubuque, Iowa:
Il have decided to withdraw from the
speakership contest, and the Illinois dele
cation has determined to support your can
didacy. l wish you every success
The Post-standard of Syracuse, n. Y,
prints the following signed statement from
Representative Sherman:
UTICA, June ., 1899
Answering your request for statement
in reference to the speakership contest ac-
companied by your statement that MI
Hopkins of Illinois had withdrawn in favor
of Mr.. Henderson, and that the Illinois
delegation had decided to vote as a unit
for Mr. Henderson, | have only to say that
assuming both statements to be correct
and that the entire Illinois delegation had
decided to follow Mr.. Hopkins to Mr.. Hen
derson (and both statements are only as
sumed); also that Mr.. Henderson has the
entire Wisconsin and Indiana delegation;
also certain claimed support in other states,
Kansas Dakota and elsewhere, he is still
over twenty votes short of majority OF
the republican membership of the Fifty
sixth Congress.
Unless a current report with reference
to Ohio is correct, ] have not lost the sup
port of single member upon whom l
counted.
Mr. Henderson is not yet selected as the
republican choice for Speaker.
so far as l am concerned, l have striven
to eliminate sectionaisrn from this friend
ly contest Whoever is chosen Speaker 1t
will be unfortunate If the selection be
based upon sectional lines or be, even re-
motely the result of any promises or
deals
Il am certainly still a candidate.
81 simply state broadly that L am in &C
cord with my party and with the admins
tration JAMES 5. SHERMAN