Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-09
BARNES AND FLYNN MEN ARE IN
STRONG RIVALRY.
NO SIGNS OF A FIGHT, HOWEVER
BOTH SIDES CLAIM THEY WILL Or
GANIZE THE COUNCIL.
1t Is Generally Conceded That Tom
Reid VIII BE Speaker of the
House-Le9islature to Have
Finer Quarters Than
Ever Before.

GUTHRIE. o. T., Jan. S.-(Special) The
legislative situation tonight, on the eve
of the Republican caucus, has cleared ma
terially. 1t is generally agreed that tom
Reid, of Ell Reno, will be the next speaker
Of the house,-except by "Grist Mill Jones.
who still claims that he 1s in it. Mr.. Jones
will go into the caucus, but all OF the
rest are practically out of the race. Mr..
Jones' chances would have been greatly
enhanced had he been on the ground and
devoted all of his time to the fight. AS it
is, Mr.. Reid will probably call the lower
house to order
William Grimes, chairman of the territor-
ial Republican committee, and Harper S.
Cunningham, attorney general. have been
the two busiest men in the city during the
past twenty-four hours. Mr.. Grimes is at
the head of the Flynn forces and Mr.. Cum
ningham of the Barnes contingent. While
the lesser politicians keep saying there is
a fight on hand, and that, under the sur
face, there is a smoldering fire which may
break out into flame at any minute, it is
difficult, after study of the situation, to
reach such conclusion. The leaders Of
both sides, to their credit, deprecate any
such talk. While there is a wonderful
amount of interest centered in the organi-
zation Of the legislature, there is no rup-
ture nor does there seem to be any indica,
tlon that there will be one.
The race for the presidency Of the coun-
ell changed a score Of times to-day. The
Barnes faction still insist that it will be
Hutto or McCredie. They are sure that
Hutto holds the key to the situation. On
the other hand, the Flynn crowd insist
that 1t will not be Hutto. They say it is
McCredie. with DR.. Winkler still q strong
FACTOR IN the contest. A peculiar situation
exists. Both sides claim certain men, who
are strong possibilities. 1t may be this will
create more friendly feeling among the
smaller fry. who are demanding a scrap.
The Barnes men took considerable satis-
faction this afternoon when Dennis Flynn
left for Washington claiming that he had
given up. The Flynn element say that
they are not fighting for men, but for re.
form legislation to be enacted by the Re-
publican party and they demand promises
that 1t be done.
AT conference this morning, five sena-
tors agreed to enact the message advocated
| In the Republican platform Speaker-to-
be Reid is said to have done likewise.
There are eight Republican votes in the
council caucus, but only five are necessary
| for choice. Somebody will get jolt on
certain votes, but this is the way the fac
tfons expect to get their man chosen: For
| the administration. Brett, Candy, McCredie,
e.
Biddison, Hayens, Winkler, Hutto Sifted,
| 1t will be Hutto or McCredie, with the lat
| ter gaining strength. Biddison will prob
ably be made chairman of the judiciary
| committee and Havens chairman Of the ap-
preparations committee.
| In the house. w. C. Stevens 1t is conced-
| ed, will be made chairman Of the judiciary
| committee. W. II. Cleveland, of Anadar-
ko. in the Kiowa and Comanche country,
is here for the purpose of being seated in
the council. The representatives from his
district, Rev. Mr.. S.V. Fait. Republican, and
Rev. Mr.. ]. ]. Methvin, Democrat, will also
ask to be seated They claim that they are
| taxed but refused representation. 1t is
reasonably certain that they will not be
seated.
There are at least fifteen members here
| who have never seen legislature before,
| or even visited Guthrie.
Assistant Secretary James Houston has
the legislative building under his charge
and he has the work about completed.
The quarters are the finest ever occupied
by the legislature. They are nearly across
| from the Oklahoma hotel.
| A great many Of the members Of the Ter
ritorial Press Association have arrived here
| to participate in the annual meeting which
| convenes lere tomorrow.