The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-19
BO|ing Republicans Prevented
 His Election Yesterday
SITUATION IS BADLY MUEOI
His Opponents Maintain That at Least Fifteen of the Nedringhaus Forces VIII Bolt
 Today.

Jefferson City. Mo, January 1s.-The bolting of six republicans and two more on the second ballot from the ranks or Thomas K. Niedringhaus, the republican, caucus nominee for United States sen- . ator to succeed F NJ. Coelxrell whose election had seemed assured, resulted in no choice to-day in the joint session of the Legislature. With the exception of one. who cast his vote for Dr. Pettijohn | of Linn county all the bolters voted for R. c. Kerens. of St. Louis. who was the strongest opponent of Niedringhaus inl che caucus.
 Immediately after the second ballot. {; which resulted as follows, the joint ses-1 loting will be resumed at noon:
 Nledringhaus, s5i Cockrel, s3; Kerens. [; Pettijohn, l. On the first ballot Nied- rlnghaus received S7 votes, two less than necessarily required for election Cock- rell received s3 and Kerens G.
 The defeat of Mir Niedrnghaus was predicted to-day. following a conference of the Kerens men with their leader just before the meeting of the joint sessions
 BettInger Makes First Break.
 The first break came when the nams of Representative J. L. Bittinger was called soon after the opening of the joint session. The eai, of the joint session. began immediately after the announced ment of the vote taken yesterday in the, separate houses for the United States Senator. J. L. Bittinger of Buchanan, who is the oldest member of the houso castI his ballot for R, (. Kerens, and his ex- ample was folowe by Glover Branch of' La Fayette, F. k. Cook of Howell c. D. Elliott of Jasper. James Roach of Jasper. and Oliver Grace of St. Louis. On the second ballot George Hatfield of Newton switched over to Kerens. while E. NJ ISirlsham of Camden. loft the ranks of tho caucus nominee and voted for Dr. Petti- john of Lynn.
 This evning MT Niedringhaus received the following telegram from Congress- man Bartholdt:
 You have stood ordeal noblv and fairly, won the prize. The party Is proud of' you. Heartiest congratulations"
 After the joint session adjourned the hotel Hobbies rapidly filled and discus- sons of animated intensity ensued. After a time the republican mebers of the leg islature held a conference. Representa- tive Blttlnger was the only one of the
  attended He took no part In the confer- enee beyond listening to the discussion ot the situation telegram from Major William Warner of Kansas Clty. was read in which Major Warner stated tnat he would accept nc office that mlRhc come to him through treachery. some members were inclined to take this tefe- gram that he would not accept the sen- atoria preferment if bolt was maee h, fo fa anI aopsImmdtpd.
 Have Arranged for Pairs.
 The conference selected a committes to see that all members were present tc- morrow at the joint session and to ar range for pairs with Democrats in which members were unable to be on hand-i Further than this nothing was accom- plished.
 At the same time the Democratic mem- bers of the House held caucus and dis cussed plans for reorganizing the House and deposng Speaker Hill. No definite conclusions were reached. It is current talk that should they attempt this they will ioin with the Kerens Republicans in electing Dr. Pettiiohn for Speaker.
 Interesting developments are expected tomorrow. Claims are made by the anti- Niedringhaus forces that fifteen votes will be taken from the Niedringhaus strength tomorrow They say that. hay- ing voted for him twice on joint ballot. the pledged members have done their duty and are now free to vote for an- other candidate and if necessary, tor join in a call for another caucus on sen- atorial nominee
 kernes In for Fight.
 special to the Republic from Jefferson city says:
 R. C. Kerens has opened up headquar- ters and has corps of men working for him Mir Kerens made the following statement tonight:
 q am here for the express purpose or defeating Niedrnghaus, l have the votes with which 10 do 1t, and | am going to stick to my purpose. l had no intention Of continuing the fight mp to last Sun day but developments since then have made me determined I have not been treated right. Don't ask me to withdraw my aght. It is impossible. l am going to beat Niedringhaus. and I can do it.
 MT. Niedrlnghaus, in speaking of the situation tonight said
 Yes I was surprised at the action of some of the republicans I cannot un- derstand why the representatives in the republican party should allow themselves to be duped When they understand the true conditions I am confident that the trouble will he ended.