The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-08
BOTH CONFIDENT OF VICTORY.
Claims of Partisans of the Hopkins
and Burleigh Bills.

After a private conference held at the
Capitol last right in the room of the
Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds. the leading Republican members
in favor of the Burleigh Reapportionment
bill declared that they were perfectly sat
isfed with the situation and were conf
dent the bill would have a good working
majority today. While they declined to
give figures and to do more than TO
indicate the States from which they ex-
pected to draw large percentage Of the
Republican vote, their confidence and
cheerful air indicated a very pleasant
frame of mind. Among those present at
the conference were Messrs. Burleigh,
Littleiield, and Allen Of Maine; Lands.
Long of Kansas Needham, Jack Pearson
and Crumpacker.
The discussion lasted from until II
O'Clock and every inch of the ground was
fully debated. Each member was asked
to tell all he knew in regard TO the stand
ing of the members of his delegation and of
other members of the House. and the
result the conferees went home fully con-
tident of success when the vote is taken
today.
They count on solid vote of thirteen
from Indiana. eight from Kansas. seven
from Minnesota, six from Nebraska, three
State If a pair can be secured for Repre-
sentative Boutelle. two from Vermont, two
from Rhode Island, three and possibly
four, froE Connecticut. two from Florida,
eleven from Kentucky. nine from North
Carolina. and a number of others frcm Cal
ifornia, Colorado. Louisiana. Maryland,
Massachusetts, New York. and Pennsyl-
vania, with scattering votes from other
States. Among the prominent recruits
re tod to rtal- eIrrt
speeches today in favor of the BurIeigh
BILL are Representatives Bingham of
Pennsylvania, Moody of Massachusetts,
Ray and Alexander Of New York. Repre-
sentative Russell of Connecticut will make
the concluding speech for the Burleigh
bill today.
The friends of the Hopkins bill are
equally confident of success. They claim
that a careful poll of the House made
yesterday shows that the Democrats are
about equally divided while the Repub-
licans stand about two to one in favor of
the Hopkins bill. This would give the
bill large majority. Prominent mem
bers on the Democratic side. however.
said yesterday that IL the Republicans
against the bill could control 50 to so
votes on their side there would be enough
Democrats against it to defeat it. Mr..
Littlefield said if this is true the bill
Will be beaten, as the opposition in the
Republican party controlled more than
fifty votes.
The Ohio Republican members think the
State will be redistricted so that a Demo-
crat will be retired, while the Ohio Demo-
Gratis say they will be able to hold their
own in the Legislature. The only member
of the Ohio delegation likely to vote
against the Hopkins bill is Mr.. Lentz.
On the Democratic side the Virginians are
making strong fight against the Hop
kins bill in the hope of saving seat for
Virginia and all the resources of personal
friendship are being exhaused in that di-
rection.
This has put the Texas delegation in
an embarrassing position. Under the
Hopkins bill Texas gains two members
with the membership of the House as at
present, 357. Under the Burleigh bill the
membership of the House is increased to
3S6, and Texas gains three members. 1t
is argued. however. that it is better for
the State to have two additional mem |
bers if the membership of the House re-
mains as it is at present than 1t would
be TO have three additional members if |
the membership we're increased %.