The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-22
.Capif01 Chat.
Washington Gossip, Political and
Otherwise. for tie Readers
of the Globe.

WASHINGTON, May 21.-There will be
several interesting senatorial contests in
various states of the Union next winter
and some of those already holding sena-
torial seats will have a close shave if
they are reelected. In Illinois, for in
stance, Shelby N Cullom will probably
succeed himself, though there is bare
possibility that he may be defeated at
Springfield next winter. At the present
time Mr.. Cullom, however, seems to have
an advantage over all of his competi-
tors for the position. Illinois would not
suffer in the event that CuIIom is re-
tired to private life. He is past his
days of usefulness as a public official and
it would be far better for that state to
eject some young, energetic man like
Charles D. Dawes, present comptroller of
the currency. At one time it was thought
that Mr.. Dawes would be the choice of
the Illinois Republicans, but the indica-
tions now are that he will be forced to
wait and try conclusions with Senator
Mason, when his term expires, or to
delay his advent in the senate until Gull
lom serves out another term.
The most interesting of the senatorial
nights of the coming year viii be at Lin
coin, Neb There will be two vacancies
existing, and at least a score of caDdi-
dates seeking the senatorial seats just
at present occupied by John NJ. Thurs
ton, Republican, and William V, Allen,
FopultSt. The latter, as is we'll known,
was appointed to fill the vacancy of
Senator-elect Hayward. Senator Allen s
term, as we'll as Senator Thurston's, will
expire March 4, 1901 The Nebraska leg
islature, which assemblies at Lincoln next
winter. may or may not be Republican.
II it is, George D. Meiklejohn, present
assistant secretary of war, and Repre-
sentative Mercer, OF the Omaha district,
VIII start into the fight with more votes
than the remaining eighteen or twenty
candidates. Senator Thurston will not
stand for reelection. If he desired he
could probably be reelected if the leg
islature is Republican. The wisest men
from Nebraska coming to Washington
say that the senatorial situation is so
badly mixed that 1t is utterly impossible
to name the men likely to be elected, or
at this time to even indicate whether the
next legislature will be Republican or
anti-Republican.
AS the people of Kansas City have
spent about 250000 in order to entertain
the convention 100000 OF which was
given to the national committee, and
$15O,OOO additional spent in rebuilding the
convention hall, Chairman Jones and his
associates believe that that town should
be assisted in getting part of this money
back. 1t can readily be seen that the
men who have pledged the money to
carry out the convention plans would lose
great deal of it because of the burning
down of the old hall and in rebuilding
the new one, in which the convention
Will meet.
With Bryan there and the fact estab-
Hshed in advance, a great many more
people will gather in Kansas City than
they otherwise would If Mr.. Bryan is not
present The Democrats say that he is
pursuing a polite course in going into
retirement until the convention assem-
bes. After it is over and the campaign
for 1900 Is really on, he will undoubtedly
tour the country in the interest of him
self and his associate on the national
ticket At least he is to be urged to dc
so by those who desire Democratic sue
cess this year, especially among the
Democratic congressional nominees, who
think that Bryan's campaigning upon the
lines he followed in 1896 would assist
them greatly, and the result they hope
to bring about, Bryan's election and their
success. The Democratic leaders In
Washington, at any rate, will strongly
urge Bryan to go on another speech
making tour, believing that his assistance
may overthrow the present Republican
majority in the house, and thereby cause
the lower branch of the Fifty-seventh
congress to be Democratic by a fair ma
jority. That Mr. Bryan will take the
stump-is considered certain by the Demo
cratic leaders in Washington City.
President Mckinley will not make
speeches in his own behalf for the rea-
son that 1t might lower the dignity of the
high office which he now holds. The
president, however, will have an oppor.
ortSc
speeches during the summer, and by this
course Will have some opportunity to off.
set the advantage which will accrue tC
Col. Bryan, because the latter has a per
feet right to take the stump in his owr
behalf.
The regular campaign oratory will bt
avoided by the president, but he will have
chance to talk to the people on variou!
topics while making a Journey from
Washington to San Francisco Unless the
| unexpected happens, President Mckinley
will be present at the launching of the
battleship Ohio, at San Francisco, thi!
summer. He accepted an invitation to Dt
present at this ceremony some month:
ago, but 1t has since been doubted
whether he will be able to make the trip
The latest news from the White house
however, is to the effect that the presi
dent believes that he will be able to e
urally he will be called upon to delive1
addresses in the various states through
which he will journey to and from tn,
Pacific coast. 1t is understood that h
proposes to go by a Southern route anC
return over the Great Northern. Thi!
will give him an opportunity TO do som,
good work in delivering non-partisan ad
dresses in San Francisco, Seattle, Port
land, Helena. st. Paul. Minnea polls, Du
luth, Milwaukee and other cities on hi
journey East Later on in the year h,
has accepted an invitation to visit New
England, and upon this trip will NEE
great gatherings, as will be the case II
the West, and, as matter of fact, i
would appear to the onlooker that he viii
have nearly as good an opportunity Il
meet and talk to the people as Bryan
will upon his swing around the circl
during the campaign.
j S. Van Antwerp.