Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-19
FIGHT IN OREGON
Interest in the Contest for the Sena-
torship.
THE Two LEADING CANDIDATES
Commissioner Hermann Looked on
as a Dark Horse.
TUATION SUMMED UP

The Oregon state legislature Tuesday
next will take up the election Of United
States senator to succeed Senator George
w. Mcbride, whose term expires on the
4th Of March. There are two prominent
candidates In the field at this time, Senator
Mcbride, who seeks reelection, and ex-
Senator Corbett, who is very determined to
once more occupy a seat in the upper
branch of the national Congress. EX-Sen-
ator Mitchell. while not as yet formally in
the race is generally believed to be watch
| ing his opportunity when he will declare
himself, and, If possible, carry off the plum.
Binger Hermann, at present commissioner
of the general land office, is also a candi-
date for the senatorship, but he has not
openly announced his candidacy, and will
not do so unless it becomes apparent that
neither of the principals can secure the
requisite number of votes to elect.
In addition to these candidates there are
a number of local politicians who have
| their aspirations, but yet are aware that
they cannot be considered as long as Sem
ator Mcbride and ex-senator Corbett are
lined up against each other. Prominent
| among these is c. w. Fulton of Astoria.
but recently elected president Of the state
senate. while F. P. Mays of Portland. a
man prominent in local and state politics,
also has a leaning toward the coveted posi-
ton. These two, however. are looked upon
as dark horses, and cannot expect to win,
except In the event of a prolonged dead
lock. and even then their chances are but
slight. Mr.. Fulton has been In the field
! for the senatorship a number of times. but
has never been able to muster sufficient
support to make him formidable candt-
date.
Caucus or No Caucus.
| The Oregon legislature has a total men,
bership Of ninety, and a total republican
| strength Of sixty-two. The senate COM
| prises thirty members, of whom twenty
three are republicans. and these republicans
| are, SO divided at the present time that no
one candidate can command the necessary
sixteen votes without a caucus. Likewise,
| no one candidate can command the total
number of fOrty-six republican votes in the
whole legislature, which Is necessary to
! elect, unless some agreement can be reached
| in caucus. And on this point the factions
| divide
| Senator Mcbride Is now in Oregon, man.
aging mis- own campaign. For a week or
more he has been eXerting every effort to
| prevent a party caucus, while, on the other
| hand, the Corbett faction is working Gag
i erly to have caucus held. The contention,
! as far as can be learned, is made necessary
| because several members, Of the legislature
nave made double pledges-that is, they
nave promised to support Mr.. Corbett and
, , at the same time have given assurances of
| their Intention to vote for Mr. Mcbride
| Mcbride will only consent to a caucrs an
! the condition that viva voce vote shall be
had, hoping thereby to have every man
| openly declare himself.
On the other hand, Senator Corbett IL n,r
| the least dictator:al In this matter, and
takes the position that the caucus itself
shall determine how they shall vote.
whether by roll call or by ballot. Hereto1
fore the practice In the Oregon legislature
| has been to vote at senatorial caueuses by
| ballot only, and IL the question is left to the
caucus. as 1t probably will be IN the end.
that course will be followed this year. The
Mcbride supporters claim to be insisting
| upon roll call because they want the
! people Of the state to know exactly how the
| vote Of every individual member is cast
| The opposing faction, however, contend
| that this Is not their true reason. 1t IS
| their idea that Mcbride fears, in case of a
vote by ballot, that he will not have the
| votes Of all the legislators who have prom
| ised to support him. and If a viva voce vote
| is had and their votes are found in the
! Corbett column that fact will be used
as basis of ugly ins,nuatton. In other
words the Mcbride leaders hope to coerce
| the members whom they have claimed as
| their own. into support of Mcbride by
threats Of making it unpleasant for them
| If they vote for anybody else.
Mitchell and Hermann.
Ex-senator Mitchell. while apparently
active in his support Of Mcbride. is be-
| IeSeu ny tnDSc "uO hIlOW uilu 10 De look
ing beyond. He. like many others who
| keep In close touch with the situation in
Oregon. is Of the opinion that q prolonged
| fight is likely to ensue, which will demon
| strate very clearly that neither Corbett nor
| Mcbride can secure the necessary number
! of votes to elect, and in that event a sec
! ond choice will have to be made. Should
| such a course be resorted to Mitchell, by
! reason Of past relations and past support,
! would naturally expect to get the votes
| which are now sure for Mcbride: but, on
| the other hand. there Is a very warm feel
| ing between Senator Corbett and Commits
| sioner Hermann. and many of the votes Of
| the former would undoubtedly be turned
| over to the latter. There is this to be said,
| however: Senator Corbett Is a man of
| strong personality and has many support
| ers who would vote for him personally,
| who would yet not turn their votes over to
Mr. Corbett's second choice. However. this
| number Is comparatively small, and 1t Is
quite probable under existing conditions
| that the Corbett strength would largely go
| to Hermann In case OF threatened dead
| lock-
1t is also an acknowledged fact that Mr..
Hermann himself controls absolutely a
small number of votes in the legislature,
| which up to this time are not pledged to
either candidate 1t is not their idea to
commit themselves at this time, but to
await developments. These votes would
add materially to Mr.. Hermann's strength.
| AS offset to this additional strength
which Mr.. Hermann could bring to bear
! In his own behalf. there is probably no re-
publican in Oregon politics who can COM
mand as much support from the democrats
| and fusionists as Mr.. Mitchell. and 1t is
| felt by many that in case it becomes
race between Hermann and Mitchell the
| latter could perhaps command the larger
vote in the combined ballot of the two
houses. Mr. Mitchell is very shrewd
politician and does not make any move
without first considering its Importance and
| it's probable effect. While he is looking out
for Mcbride at the present time he may
yet be said to be looking out for Mitchell
as well. He has been east several times In
the past year., and 1t is thought that his
trips have had some political significance.
Briefly Summed Up.