The record-union., 1899-02-12

yesterday morning, voicing the de-
mand of the Republicans OF the
State that their representatives in the
Legislature proceed to the election OF
a United States Senator without fur
ther delay was the leading topic or
conversation in political circles. There
was a general concurrence in the views
therein expressed, among Republicans
who were not tied up in any of the
deadlock combinations.
The opinion was freely expressed that
the present tactics of Republican
members of the Legislature must come
to an end, or there would be no election
of a United States Senator at this ses-
sion, in which event no one could be
found who did not believe that the
Democrats would elect United States
Senator two years hence.
Yesterdays balloting in joint con-
vention furnished an excellent IL
1ustration of the dangers of the
present situation to the Republican
party. Many members were alb
sent on junketing trips and leaves of
absence, and SO many pairs were made
that if they had stood it would only
have taken thirty-one votes to elect a
Senator As the Democrats have thir-
tyfour votes, it was possible for them,
If they had come in after roll-call
commenced, to have elected a Democrat
in spite of the overwhelming Repub-
lican majority elected by the people.
The Republican leaders, however, saw
the danger in time, and, by agreement,
declared all pairs off and allowed those
present to vote. The fact is, the situ-
alton is becoming intolerable, and 1t
is generally admitted that something
must be done to break the present dead
lock-
There was a persistent rumor yester-
day that there would be a break in the
Grant and Bulla ranks on Wednesday
next. Members are receiving telegrams
from stanch Republicans all over the
State, demanding that they break the
deadlock and proceed to the election of
some good man to the United States
Senate
CANDIDATES ON RECORD.
A representative of the Record
Union" yesterday called on each of the
Senatorial candidates now in the city
and called his attention to the position
taken in the editorial referred to. Each
was asked if he was in favor of a eau
Gus, or to have the State Central Com
mittee called together, for the purpose
of consultation with Republican mem
bers of the Legislature. They all pre-
ferred to put their answers in writing,
and these answers follow:
General w. H. L. Barnes was the
first seen. He listened courteously to
the questions put to him, and cour-
teously replied that he had no objection
self at the table and wrote the follow
ing:
The gentlemen who have up to this
time voted for me have done so without
any solicitation on my part. l have no
claim on their future support, and no
right to direct their political action. If
they, or any one of them, to-day de-
clines TO uphold my cause l could not
reasonably complain | should not do
so. 1 should only warmly thank them
for past consideration. Each of them
must decide for himself what is best
to be done. He is at perfect liberty to
go into caucus or enter into any new
combination to elect Senator other
than myself. / cannot and will not un-
dertake to direct or even advise any
one of them to follow any particular
course. They are all men of high intel
ligence, and some of them far better
able to do politics" than myself.
l have never been a politician; have
never sought the help of the party to
attain political honor or emolument 1
have toiled often, and from one end of
the State to the other, for more than
quarter of century, seeking moth
ing for myself, spending my own money
and neglecting only my own interests.
for the sake of the success of the Re-
publican party. If any other man has
done more in kind or degree l do not
now recall his name
There must be definite action, and
that soon. in my opinion. No one will
hail the last day of this contest with
more sincere pleasure than myself. /
should be no greater if / were Senator
IN the Congress of the United States,
and no smaller if l failed to become
Senator. Those who have supported
me, and those, if any there be, who
are still favorably inclined to me, from
any reason, must decide every pending
or suggested solution of the complica-
tion of the present situation for them
selves, and to them 1 must refer all
inquiry, only saying that whatever they
do will be utterly satisfactory to me.
w. H. L. BARNES.
Feb. II, 1899.
Senator r. N Bulla1 was found at the
Senate chamber and was very busy.
He said that he would not like to make
an off hand reply. but would answer
the questions in writing some time dur
ing the day He did SO in the follow
ing language:
am unable to see how the course
suggested by the Record Union
would even tend to relieve the situa-
ton. l understand the suggestion TO
be that a conference shall be held.
the same to be open to the public and
the representatives of the press. and all
vites cast therein be viva voce.
How would such a meeting differ
materially from the joint convention.
except that it would permit discussion
of the situation, and would discussion
be of any benefit or advantage or help