The Washington times., 1902-07-09
Believe That He May
Work Game in Sena-
torial Election.
ILLINOIS POLITICAL FIGHT
Said to Be on the Lookout for ANY Pc
litical Maneuver he May Make-Sug-
gested That He May Make Combina-
tion With Democrats Of his State.

Friends OF Representative Hopkins
who regard him as the sure thing in
the Illinois race to succeed Senator Ma
son claim to have information to the
effect that the rotund Senator from Chi
cago is arranging coup to land him
self in the Senate for another term. or
failing IN that attempt to prevent the
election of any other Republican.
AS the contest now stands Represen-
tative Hopkins, with the Endorsement
OF the State convention, something quite
unusual in Illinois politics. and with a
large majority of the candidates for the
Legislature practically pledged to him,
has what is considered an easy road to
the Senate.
Still word has been passed all along
the line. according TO the information
which comes to Washington. ito look
out for what Mason may attempt to do"
The history of the workings of the
Yates-Lorimer combination, which has
apparently succeeded in putting Senator
Mason out of the race, is an open Sc
cret. 1t was necessary that a combina
tion should be made against Mr.. Mason
in order that Governor Yates might con-
troll the State convention. In the Yates
Lorimer councils four men were con-
sidered for the Senatorship. They were
Representative Cannon, Representative
Hit, Representative Warner, and Rep
resentative Hopkins.
Siuews of Warfare,
1t was necessary for the candidate to
be able TO produce the sinews Of po-
litical warfare. Rather than do this, Mr..
Cannon chose to remain in the House
and be one of the leaders Of that body.
where his constituents will send him
as long as he cares to be their candi-
date.
A similar consideration moved Mr..
Warner TO shy at the proposition. and
while Mr.. Hit was an aspirant for
Senatorial honors he did not like the
idea of entering into such a combina-
tion, but preferred to fight openly and
TO accept the honor only if 1t came to
him without entering into any deals.
Representative Hopkins. however, en-
tered into the combination, and the re-
suit was his Endorsement for the Sena-
torshin.
May Not Enter Caucus.
Now the tip is said to have been
passed along the line to the Hopkins
followers that Senator Mason, in order
to retaliate, may refuse to allow his
supporters to go into the Republican
caucus They concede him ten CT a
dozen of tho faithful. who will do his
bidding without question They further
fear that the Republican majority in the
Legislature may be small. and that ten
or dozen men might hold the balance
of power and dictate terms upon which
a United States Senator should be
chosen. With this handful of boilers.
they declare, he might deliver an ulti-
matum to the remaining Republicans,
which would be that il william E. Ma |
son was not chosen Senator no Re- |
publican would be-
They even go SO far as to saw that |
Senator Mason might make a dicker /
with the Democrats. who, finding that
1t would be impossible for them to elect /
a man of their own party, would prefer
Mason 10 any other Republican, chiefly
for the reason that 1t would tend to
cause split in the Republican party
in the State, and that Senator Mason |
would be a thorn at times in the side
OF the national Administration.
Said to Oppose Administration.
He is said TO be opposed to his party's
policy in dealing with the Philippines.
taking much the same ground as does
Senator Hoar, and, 1t is thought, would
be liable to vote with the Democrats
upon one or two other important ques-
tions. In other words, the Democrats
would regard him as more acceptable
than any other Republican.
The friends Of Representative Hopkins
do not furnish any direct evidence tend
ing 10 show that Senator Mason intends
TO do this, but they declare that they
have good reason to believe that he viii
attempt something OF the kind. hence
are said TO be on the alert.