The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-12
Name of ID. M. Ransdall Not to Be Pre-
sented Unless the Stewart-Clark-
son Slate BE Broken.
CHINA's FOREIGN COMMERCE
IMPORTS FROM THE UNITED STATES
TREBLED In TEN YEARS.
Exports of Domestic Breadstuffs, Etc.,
in Observation-Disclosures Of Cen
sus Supervisors Called.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. lit is impossible
to predict at this moment what the result
Of the Senate reorganization planning will
be. AS matters now stand, thirty-five or
thirty-six Republicans, or two-thirds of
the whole number, are pledged to AlonZo
Stewart for sergeant-at-arms, and J. S.
Clarkson boasts that he has been asked
by a majority of the Republican senators
to accept the position of secretary of the
Senate. Many Republicans who are on rec
ord as indorsing Stewart really do not
want him, a fact which has caused the de-
lay in getting to the business Of reorganiza-
ton. The complaint against Stewart is
that he is not big enough" for the Job to
which he aspires and is not constructed
en- a sufficiently generous scale. Colonel
Bright has pampered the Senate so long
that the members of that body dread the
incoming of e new man who might not
know how to look after their personal
comfort, as he has done for six
years. They know Stewart, he
having been in the Senate for twenty
five years. or thereabouts. No objection
can be raised to the latter except that he
10 dilcSSu W idCk III CdllUtT. LII general
sense that is enough to cause rejection,
but those pledges stand in the way to
save him from a rundown. In Difference
to the objections to Stewart, Senator Alli-
son. his sponsor, may call him off and ad-
wise him to be satisfied with the place he
now holds, that of first deputy sergeant-at-
arms Unless he is pulled off peacefully
by that means, or kicked off, he stands
to be the caucus choice. There seems to
be no escape from that conclusion.
AS for Clarkson, the objections to him
seem to have lost nothing of their inten-
sity. although with the known Endorsement
of a caucus majority he may pull through.
1t is by no means sure that the Stewart
Clarkson slate will not win. There is a
chance, and a fighting chance, however,
that it will be broken. though it would be
unsafe to bank too heavily on that end of
the proposition. Unless it is broken, either
in part or in whole. the name of Mr.. d. M.
Ransdell will not be presented. In other
words, he will not be set up to be knocked
down. Republican senator's understand his
position. He is not candidate for either
secretary or sergeant-at-arms. but is rec
ognized as an available and in every way
should either of the slated candidates fail
to secure the caucus nomination.
Whether there will be such a
failure and an opening be presented
for Mr.. Ransdell is still mooted question.
He occupies very favorable strategic DO
sition. His cause would be weakened in
stead Of strengthened, In all probability.
by the announcement that he is in the
field. He has good and strong friends who
are watching and waiting for an opening
for him. and If opportunity presents he will
be brought to the front. If opportunity for
success does not offer. he may not be OPEN
ly heard of in the race. The caucus will
be held next Friday. Nothing to warrant
positive predictions on the outcome is vet
in sight. ss*
The bill emitting Cuban vessels to the
rights and privileges of vessels of the most
favored nations in United States ports was
to-day favorably reported to the Senate
by Senator Berry from the committee on
commerce. The clause making the provision
retroactive and providing for the refund
ing of money hitherto collected was
stricken out of the bill.
Adjutant General Corbin has received al
together s72,9sO for the Lawton fund, $3.50
being received to-day.
The quartermaster general has been in
formed that the transport Fitzpatrick, with
the Tenth Cavalry aboard, arrived at Gal
weston, Tex, this afternoon.
The Senate committee on Indian affairs
to-day authorized a favorable report on
Senator Pettigrew's bill for free homes on
land ceded from the Indians.
The President to-day sent these nomina-
tions to ine Senate: Andrew J. Thomas
supervisor of the twelfth census, Fourth
district of South Carolina; Sergeant Major
o. c. Nichols to be a second lieutenant,
Thirty-fourth Volunteer Infantry.
The plan of having mail registered by
carriers when collected, which was de-
vised by Third Assistant Postmaster
General Madden. will be put In
practical operation Jan. is, when
the system will be inaugurated in sixty
cities. Among the first cities chosen is
New Orleans. This service will be in
augurated In other cities where beneficial
upon proper application from local Of
ficials.
The House committee on foreign affairs
organized to-day and agreed to report the
resolution of William Alden Smith, OF
Michigan. inquiring Oh the secretary of safe
as to the status Of the agreement between
the United States and Great Britain, said
to prohibit the building. arming or main
tanning Of more than a single war vessel
on the great lakes, such information to
include all data bearing on the subject now
in the possession OF the department" The
.ernrniffee also TALKED over the rosol,..sa-