Omaha daily bee., 1900-01-03
ElkER WILL VOTE FOR GEAR
Representative from Decatur County No
Longer in Doubtful Column,
ALSO SUPPORTING BOWEN FOR SPEAKER
Lyman of powcshiek and Bnrringcr
of Pnlo Alto No Longer Doubt
fuI-FcdcrnI Judgcship
n Factor.
ALSO SUPPORTING BOWEN FOR SPEAKER

DIES MONIES, Jan. Especial Tele-
gramD-Today sensation followed sensation
In the senatorial contest. That a band
wagon movement in favor OF Governor Gear
for the United States senate has been
started no one can question. This after
noon Or. Eiker of Leon, Decatur county,
who for some time has been classed in the
sure column of the Cummins people, de-
clared his intention Of voting for Gear for
senator and Bowen for speaker. The an
nouncement caused a decided sensation and
is considered a deathblow to the candidacy
of Cummins.
Following the Eiker announcement came
declarations from Representative Lyman of
Poweshiek county and Barringer of the Palo
Alto district. Both state that they will
support Bowen, Notwithstanding the claims
of Cummins' men that they are yet in the
doubtful column. Conservative politicians
have considered these two men as doubtful,
but their statements of today place them in
the safe column for Gear and Bowen.
These developments have caused a demor-
| alizing effect upon both the Eaton and Cum
Minis forces. The Gear management declares
the announcements of today are but a fore
runner of others to follow from day to day
during the balance of the week.
That Gear is elected there can be no
question. While it was apparent yesterday
that Eaton had the best of it in the speaker
ship contest, the developments of today
clearly show the Gear men are lining their
forces up for Bowen.
Federal Judgeship "a Factor.
The flop of DIR, Eiker to the Gear forces
is important for the reason that he lives in
the Eighth congressional district. A week
ago this territory was considered dangerous
for Gear. The federal judgeship and other
matters caused a break in that district. Rep
resentatives Grouse of Adams county, Eiker
of Decatur and Prentiss of Ringgold were
at outs with the Gear management. This
break in a district naturally Gears caused
the Cummins men to take an encouraged
view of the situation. Gradually Grouse
was won over and now comes the an
nouncement of Eiker. Prentiss is the only
man standing out.
There is little doubt but Judge Towner
of Corning is slated for the federal Judge
ship. The actions Of the Gear men at this
time point in that direction The fact
that the men who broke away from the
Burlington man have been called back into
line is evidence enough Judge Towner has
labored with the men from his district.
The only hope Of the Cummins men at this
time is that they will elect their candidate
for speaker. Mr.. Eaton. He has made an
excellent canvass and although he has lost
strength today, yet will make Bowen fight
to the last ditch. In the event of Eaton's
election it is figured patronage will cut
some figure with members over the SEN
atoria! issue.
The organization of the house in favor OF
Cummins would be to his favor, but Gears
majority is considered so strong at this
time that it seems utterly impossible tc
defeat him, At the present time it is an
the gavel. Another day of developments
like today would prove disastrous to the
Eaton forces and would cause a band Wagon
movement.
The Hobbies tonight are packed with poll
ticians and members OF the Legislature and
the sole topic of conversation is regarding
the Eiker desertion of the Cummins and
Eaton forces.
The evening papers OF the city published
a statement that Eiker would support Bower
and Gear. Immediately after the papers
appeared the Cummins people denied the
story, claiming it was a fake pure and
simple. They claimed to have a Telegram
from Eiker denying the story. 1t was gen.
orally accepted around the Hobbies that
there was no foundation for the statemen
and the Cummins people openly admitted
that had it been true their fate was set.
tied.
DR.. Eiker arrived at 6 o'clock from Leon
pie and the result of it was that a deal was
that camp.