The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-01-02
BATTLE FOR SENATOR
Formally Opened in Pennsylvania
Capital,
SENATOR QUAY ON THE SCENE

Talk of Fusion Between Democrats
and Independent Republicans-John
II. Fnrr of scranton seems to Bc In
the Lead For the SpoaSership.
Harrisburg. Jan. 2.-The general as
sembly viii open its biennial session at
II o'clock tomorrow noon in the new
capitol building After the senate and
house have organized Governor Hast
tngs will send In his biennial message
a recess will probably be taken after
The organization for several days TO al
low the president pro TEN. and speaker
O prepare the lists Of standing commit
ees. Neither of these lists viii hardly
ie ready to announce before the inau-
;uration Of Governor-elect stone, on
ian. II, so that the Legislature viii not
get down to work I'm earnest before
February. There is a strong sentiment
among the legislators in favor Of a
short session, and a resolution may be
introduced tomorrow fixing the date OF
final adjournment. The last Legislature
closed July 1, and the incoming body
will hardly complete its labors before
the middle of May, at the earliest
Both Democrats and Republicans will
NduNuH AAllH tNtlllllk lbl lllN VI p tAlilatA
tion Of the two houses The Republi-
cans have a majority of "a on joint bal
lot. and naturally expect to control
both bodies. There are 81 Republicans
and 10 Democrats in the senate and 127
Republicans and II Democrats and six
fusionsts in the house.
There are many Democrats anxious
to fuse on the speakership with the in
dependent Republicans. and this matter
will be discussed at their caucus.
| Charles b. Spatz Of Berks, Is the only
! avowed candidate on the ground for
the Democratic nomination for speaker.
General ". II. Koontz, Of Somerset, an
| independent Republican, is the choice
of the fusionists for speaker. To be
| elected on this issue he would have to
poll the votes of Il Democrats, six flu
sionlsts and q Independent Republi-
cans.
John r. Farr, OF Scranton, is the
most formidable aspirant for the Re
publican nomination for speaker. He
| has been endorsed by the Philadelphia
| delegation, or a large part of 1t, and
| claims to have a large following in
other localities. George NJ. Hosack, of
Pittsburg is the choice Of a majority
| of the Allegheny members. Ward r.
| Bliss. Of Delaware, is the most ag-
| gressive candidate, and claims to have
| the pledges of so members, nearly all
| Of whom come from country districts.
William T. Marshall, of Allegheny,
so far, has no opposition for chairman
Of the house Republican caucus. This
| is a most important position, as the
| chairman joins with the chairman Of the
| senate Republican caucus in fixing the
| date for the caucus for the nomination
| of a candidate for United States sena-
tor to succeed Senator NJ. S. Quay. The
house chairman also appoints the slate
committee which makes up the list
of officers and employees of that body.
Senator John c. Grady, of Philadel-
! phia, will probably be chairman of the
senate Republican caucus by which a
candidate for president pro tenn. will
be chosen. The officers and employees
of the senate will be chosen by a slate
committee appointed at the close of the
| '97 session. Senator William p. Snyder
| of Chester, is the only Republican as
pirant for president pro tenn, and his
nomination and election is assured
William T. Greasy, of Columbia, ex-
poets to be chairman Of the house Dem
ocratic caucus. and Senator j. Henry
Cochran. of Williamsport, will probable
preside over the senate Democratic
! caucus.
Senator Quay's friends have fixed
tomorrow evening for the senatorial
caucus and the only question now is
whether l2S Republicans will go into
the meeting. If they do everybody ad-
mits that Quay will control majority
and that he will be nominated. His
Ia. 20,
enough members out of the conference
to prevent a nomination. II they car
do this they expect to defeat the sen.
ator's reelection. Congressman Johr
Dalzell, of Pittsburg, and Charles c
Tubbs, of Tioga, are the other avoweC
aspirants for the senatorial nomina
tion.
Senator Quay reached here at mid
night from Washington to take per
sonal direction of his campaign. HI
will be the guest Of County Chairman
Weiss during his visit. The senator
will remain in Harrisburg until aftel
the senatorial caucus.
The new capitol, although unfinished
presents a very creditable appearance
inside, and the legislators will be com
fortably housed. The senate and hous
chambers are large and well ventilate
and appointed for the use of the legis
lators. The floors are covered with neN
carpets of modest designs and the fur
niture has been utilized that was use
at Grace church by the last Legislature
Thirty large committee rooms hav
been furnished for the use of the as
sembly, and there are rooms for news
paper correspondents, telegraph an
telephone offices, pOstoffices and lava
tories. There is an abundance OF roor
for the legislature in the completed pan
of the building.