Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-01-12

the unwaTranted and unnecessary in
reference of the Milwaukee ministers
As all my constituents know, | am a
man OF liberal ideas, and | am in favor
of men with liberal ideas. have no
word Of disparagement with reference
to any other candidate before the PEG
pie, but my reasons seem, ~ me AT
least, TO be conclusive AS a business
man Mr.. Ratcock is a success. AS a
man of character his reputation is
fixed and undoubted. AS a successful
congressman his reputation Is estab-
hshed. That he is in close touch with
the administration is acknowledged
by even his opponents. That he win
subserve the interests of Wisconsin.
and, in connection win Senator
Spooner, make one OF the strongest
senators, is my opinion For these
reasons am supporting Congressman
Babcock. and believe that my act is
justified by his record | may not be
able to please all the politicians of the
county, but in supporting Mr.. Babcock
believe that the best interests OF my
constituents and of the state OF Wis
consin will be best suHscryed. | am
giving my support TO man whom !
can conscientiously support, believing
that he fills all requirements
The Babcocll managers were gener-
ally In a very cheerful frame of mind,
and appeared more confident than a,
any stage of the campaign.
Mr. Quarles, too. had all the manner
of a man who fully expected to take
on the toga. Certain things devel-
oped during the day that would lead
the intelligent observer to conclude
that very important influences were
operating to aid the Quarles cause; In
short, that he was enjoying or ulti-
mately would enjoy, the so-caled ma
chine push, made up, to be sure of
some very excellent and high-minded
men indeed; further that some little of
the Webb strength would go TO him
early. On the other hand there were
those who boldly contended that the
fight would finally come 10 conclu-
sion with Babcock and Stephenson the
last in the ring. II is now conceded
that Stephenson will prove stronger at
the caucus than expected heretofore,
but political prophets are not pleuti-
ful who are willing to hazard their
reputation on the guess that he will
turn out Il winner Mr. Cook Is
factor but not Il strong probability, yet
he lacks not for enthusiastic, hopeful
lieutenants, chief among whom Is ex-
Speaker Buckstaff.
The senatorial caucus will he held
about the 18th or 18th -one week prior
to the formal balloting, which com
mences In the two houses on the gath.
The contest, it is all but admitted, will
not degenerate into a deadlock. The
general expectation is that the caucus
VIII have settled the matter before the
2ith If no decision Is effected in tae
first caucus, other caucuses will fol-
low daily sill the end is reached. The
caucus will no doubt be open 20 the
press and the ballot secret, That
is the conventional procedure and
there is no likelihood Of any violation
of the precedent ut this time
fhe members had nearly all arrived
last night, and the Park hotel. where
are located all the senatorial head
quarters, presented a highly animated
scene throughout the day and evening.
The third house was we'll represented
and book ilends and pass agents were
on hand in customary numbers.
Few democratic members had yet
come. But, alas and alack, there are
only about a dozen all told. However.
this hopeful minority will have func-
tons also to perform, and IL, too. will
have senatorial vote TO bestow Big,
handsome, manly I. Il, Ryan of Wan
kesha was about the Park lobby
greeting hts many friends from all
parts OF the commonwealth, and ii is
entirely probable that the democratic
senatorial honor will be voted to this
sturdy Warrior who has been actively
in every campaign for his party since
quitting his law studies some Is years
ago.