New-York tribune., 1905-01-02
MISSOURI SENAT0RSHIP.
The Aspirants and Their Prospects
of Success IN Contest.

St Louis Jan. l CSpeciaD.-Oray few days re-
main before the caucus OF Republican members
elect OF the SD Missouri General Assembly will be
held at Jefferson City 20 consider the selection OF
q successor 10 United States Senator Francis
Marion cocSreI. the Democratic incumbent. whose
thirty years Of service IN the national Congress
VIII terminate March (. 1906.
II is exactly thrty-hve years since the Republi-
OF Missouri q representative 10 the United
States Senate On that occasion the successful
candidate Daniel F. Jewett who succeeded TO
the vacancy resulting from the resignation OF
Charles D. Drake, author OF the famous Drake
Constitution" Senator Drake retired TO accept
sudgeship IN the United States Court OF Claims at
Washington.
The victory Of November s. giving them it did
four out Of the five State executive officers. nine
Congressman and United States Senator came to
the Missouri Republicans like a ray Of sunshine
OF a dark cloud. And within twenty-four hours
after II became known that Missouri had joined the
Republican sisterhood the field became thick with
nspirants for the Senatorial trophy. The contest
has been in progress eight weeks. and while
several OF the early candidates have dropped
the race. there still enough left TO make the
result one OF extreme uncertainty.
All Of the resources and skill OF the Republican
leaders hre being exercised IN behalf Of their
tavOrites; the Of President Roosevelt has
been dragged IN without authority here and there
IN the struggle favor:ng opposing this that
candidate ard the intense feeling Of partisans has
displayed itself at frequent intervals.
Ihe Jeneral Assembly Is Republican by ten
3oint ballot and the statute requires the election
Cor Senator to be held later than January II.
although the Republican caucus IS expected TO be
held some time next week.
As matters now stand the contest has narrowed
down 10 Colonel Richard c. Kerens who served
sour. and the choice Of his party three times
Cor the minority Senatorial nomination; Thomas X
Niedringhaus chairman Of the Republican State
Committee and Of former Congressman F. C.
-afv Of ,fs srgfx MaSor
United States District Attorney for the Western
District OF Missouri; Colonel Patrick Dyer, who
holds, a similar place IN the Eastern federal dis
trict OF the State, and Luman F. Parker, general
attorney OF the st. Louis and San Francisco Rail
road Company. Major Warner lives in Kansas
City. while Messrs Kerens. Niedrlnghaus, Dyer ana
Parker are residents Of St Louis
An impartial poll Of the legislators shows the
relative standing OF the candidates follows:
Niecfinghaus 80: Kerens. S5: Parker 6; Warner. 5;
Dyer. O. and nine clzssed doubtful. Forty-seven
votes constitute majority Of the caucus and
this. OF course is equivalent 10 election
Among the dark horses mentioned are Con-
gresham Richard Bartholdt. Of st. Louis; Charles
H Nagel. OF ST. Louis. and Gardner Lathrop.
prominent lawyer Of Kansas City.
In the event of deadlock, Mr.. Nagel is looked
upon a likely compromise choice, he
within one vote Of defeating Colonel K-,rens for
the minority nomination two years ago, when a
. Democratic legislature elected William ]. Stone
20 take the seat of George Graham Vest.
With the exception OF Mr.. Niedringhaus all Of
the candidates are close to the threescore limit,
and their careers fun of historic human in
terest
Colonel Dyer is siXty-siK years old and a native
Of Henry County Va. His father David Dyer was
a soldier. and served in the Virginia line IN the
second with Great Britain. In lS4l young Dyer
came TO Missouri, and settled among the pioneers
OF Lincoln County. He worked a farm by day
and studied law at night. Then he got a place as
school teacher and after years service journeyed
fO fxe -z-17nr
years. and admitted 10 the bar in 1859 In 1862
he became associated with General John B. Hen
derson in the practice OF law. and two years later
he was elected 10 the State House of Representa-