The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-08
ID Be FRANK AND TON
This the Pair to Whom all
Signs Point
FOR PRESIDING OFFICERS
Attempted Division on a
North-and-South Basis,
FOR PRESIDING OFFICERS

Guthrie, o. T, jan 7.-CSpecial-)-Sur-
face and underground indications tonight
point to the selection OF Frank Hutto
and Tom Reid as president OF the council
and speaker Of the house, respectively
the organization that was predicted in the
Eagle some time ago as a probability 1t
* stiu contended that Hutto's chances
are doubtful and Houston's friends are
keeping I'D a brave front but hutto n
sists that he will enter the caucus with
five of the eight votes and there are not
many tonight who question the asser-
ron.
Tom Reid's position IS apparently as
strong. If not stronger than II was last
night. An effort was made to stampede
his forces b. a prOI osition 20 make the
organization on different geogrS phfct'
lines other than the east and west sides
ctthe territory. This plan is alleged 10
have originated in secret cautrs held
n Oklahoma CITY last night and coli
tenlplated giving the presidency 10 fhe
north end and the speakership to the
south end of the territory. IL the ar
rangement could be made TO work It was
proposed to make 'GristmilP' Jones
speaker and George Brett Of Ponca CITY,
president of he council. But Brett
threw tub OF cold water on the scheme
by fatty declining to permit the use or
his; name in that connection and the al
tempt to concentrate the opoStlon on
Jones was shown to be likewise futile,
when Representative Merton and Joe
McNeal of Guthrie announced that they
would fight the Oklahoma City man 10 the
bitter end. Representatives Merton and
McNeal. it viii be remembered, have 1T in
for Jones because of his alleged defec-
ton from the Republican caucus nine
years ago. Jones is still in the fight, how
ever, but careful canvass fails to reveal
| a solitary detection in the west side
ranks, which stand firm as a stone wall
| in favor of the proposition that the speak
ership must go to the west side. The
only competitor Reid has on the west
| side is DR.. McElrath of Enid, and Nc
Elrath announces that he will pull out
/ of the race rather than see the speaker
ship go elsewhere than TO the west side.
Dennis Flynn, Bill Grimes and Seymour
! Price came up from Oklahoma City this
| morning in company with "Gristmill''
| Jones, and when the distinguished quar-
| tette made its appearance at the hotel,
| there commenced a tremendous specula-
| tion as to the part it would take in the
Organization fight and many were the
predictions that Reid and Hutto's support
would melt away as the snow before the
morning sun. But as far as observation
went Flynn appeared to be taking TO
hand IN the fight and by noon the eleme Mt
| of doubt had disappeared.
OF the Republican members Of the coun-
ell all are present except McCredie and
| Winkler, and until these two show up
| there win not be a caucus, which VIII
probably take place Monday. The Demo
cratic caucus viii be held as soon as Sid.
| Clarke and DR.. Magness arrive. There Is
hardly a doubt but what Clarke VIII re-
ceive the formal but empty honor OF the
caucus nomination for president Of the
| council.