Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-03
SENATOR QUAY's DESPERATE BAT
TIE FOR REELECTION.
HIS FRIENDS ARE CONFIDENT
MUCH DEPENDS ON THE TINE THE
CAUCUs is HELD.
Quay Men Have Fixed 1t for Tonight
and IL n Quorum Is Present the
Senator Is Likely to Win
Senator Quay on the
Ground.

HARRISBURG. PA, Jan. 2--The hsnt
for the neat United States senator from
PENNSYLVANIA depends largely upon the
time of holding the joint Republican eau
Gus. Senator Quays friends have fixed the
meeting for tomorrow evening, and If
majority of the Republican legislators at
tend his nomination is assured. His man
ayers predict tonight that the caucus VIII
be held at the appointed time, and that
there is no question of his success. The
opposition are just as confident that there
will be a postponement until after the
supreme court disposes of the criminal
charges against Quay. growing out of tie
failure of the Peoples bank, of Phiiadeir
phIa- If they can bring a postponement,
they believe Quay cannot be reelected.
They have been working all day to per-
suade enough Republican senators and
members to stay away from the meeting
to prevent majority. One senator and
three members from Delaware county
agreed tonight to stay. away from the
gathering. This action was taken after
one of their members. Ward r. Bliss, was
defeated for speaker OF the house OF rep
resentatives. Several other senators and
members will not go into the caucus. but
neither side can give any definite informa-
ton as TO the number.
The selection of John r. Farr for speaker
has little or no bearing on the senatorial
situation. He was the original selection
Of Senator-elect David Martin. of Philadel-
phia, who is counted against Quay. The
Quay people, however, turned in and helped
nominate Fsrr. The friends Of Senator
MCGEE the anti-Quay leader in Western
Pennsylvania, voted for George NJ Hosack,
of Pittsburg, and the ultra anti-Quay peo-
pie cast their ballots for Bliss.
Senator Quay spent very busy day d.
l,s- from,
ex-senator ]. Donald Cameron, who came
all the way from England to help his for
mer colleague Senator Boise Penrose, Con-
gressman Bingham and other members OF
the Pennsylvania delegation in congress are
on the ground in Quay's interests. Inc
senator's headquarters at the Lochtel hotel.
in charge of State Chairman Elkin. were
crowded all day with political workers from
all over the state A street deemonstra-
tion was held tonight by the quay people.
Senators Martin, Magee and other leaders
presumably opposed to Quay's re-eIectioA
are expected to have n conference before
morning 10 determine on line of policy
relative to the senatorial caucus. If they
stay away from the meeting, the quay
people are fearful they cannot muster
enough votes to make a nomination. Ex-
Postmaster General John Wanamaker Is
leading the movement for postponement
of the caucus. Members of the Business
Mems League from all over the state are
helping Mr.. Wanamaker. ---.-,-.
The house Democrats appointed a COM
mittee at their caucus tonight to confer
with the independent Republicans on the
fusion movement 10 organize the mouse
against Quay. The leaders Of these eie-
ments had conference this afternoon on
this question. and failed to reach an agree
ment. The Democrats offered to furnish
seyenty-four votes. but the independents
could not muster enough tosincrease the
number 10 104 which is necessary to a sue
cessful fusion.
Both sides admit that there are no pros
poets of a successful combination between
the Democrats and independents on the
speakership.
The caucus of the Republican members
elect of the house tonight was an ex-
tremely harmonious affair. John r. Farr,
of Lackawanna. was the choice for speak
er, his opponents being Ward r. Bliss, OF
Delaware, and George NJ. Hosack, OF Al
legheny. The names of $50 members We're
on The caucus roll and there were sixty alb
sentees. The vote on the speakership
stood: Farr, IS; Hosack, 26; Bliss, s. The
candidates did not vote.
A slate committee was appointed, sub
committee of which worked until the early
morning hours on the problem of filling the
places at their command.
A caucus of the Democratic members Of
the house was held this evening in the su-
preme court chamber and William l..
Creasey, of Columbia. was the unanimous
choice OF the caucus for speaker. The
chairman was directed to confer with the
chairman of the senate Democratic caucus
with reference 10 selecting the time and
place of holding a joint caucus of the sen
ate and house for the nomination of a
candidate for United States senator.