The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-04-26
AN EXCITING RACE
FOR PLkTT'S SEAT
Indications Now Point to
Field Against Fessenden.
M'LEAN SEEMS TO LEAD
Ex-Governor Has Good Following-Hill
and Brandegee From Congress-Next
Years Gubernatorial Fight.

Who will succeed the late Senator
Platt as the junior Senator from hhe
Nutmeg State? is the question which IS
now occupying the attention of a large
section OF the political world. The con-
test will be in some respects like that
of last January when Governor Nor
gar G. Buckley won out over Samuel
FessenGen for the succession to the late
Senator Joseph f.. Hawley, but there
will be at least half a dozen candidates.
and at least that many combinations
between aspirants for the toga ard men
who are seeking the gubernatoriai nomi-
nation. So the outcome Of the contest Is
extremely uncertain
At present there is a likelihood that
the most general alignment at the out
set of she fight will be Fesseaden and
nti-Fessenden. although such de-
scription really gives too great proni-
hence to that gentleman. He contested
with Bulkeley for the succession to
HawIey, and was able to marshal only
10 votes out of total of A4. Buckley
getting all the rest except 5 for ex-
Gov. George P Mclean, and for
Representative Ebenezer j. Hill. of the
Fourth Connecticut district. This scat
terirg strength was locked upon as
vote of confidence in Mclean and Hill,
both of whom had shown themselves
capable in high State and national
Office, respectively, and is now referred
to by their adherents as putting them
in the forefront of the present race.
Solidifying the Party.
This establishes the contest as moro
how he djy,ev 0Y,o nd
brings into 1t two distinct factors other
than the personal candidates. them
selves-the influence of the Buckley
wing of the party, which absorbed the
Hawley strength several months ago.
ard the wishes Of the Plat supporters,
who would have returned the aged
senior Senator for a sixth term had he
lived until 1909.
Although Plat maintained no political
organization. his retention in Office was
assured as long as he lived and no we'll
posted Connecticut politician ever
thought otherwise. But with Plat gone
there comes into consideration a sort of
Senatorial courtesy which may have
no weight with the aggressive candi-
dates themselves, but which can be
made effective outside the circle of con-
tes.ants. Business men of the State. for
instance, know their interests will be
better looked out for with two Senators
In harmonious relations than If some
one, Is. elected who will devote most Of
his time to undermining Bulkeleg. and
having the latter do the same in tarneo
Seek Eulkeley's Support.
BulkeIey's influence, therefore. will
prove a factor in the race. just as ii did
when General Hawley came up for re-
election In 1899. The incumbent needed
assistance and Governor Buckley pro-
vided it, on the full understanding that
he was TO be considered the residuary
legatee of the Junior Senator He got
the place. Seven weeks alter having
taken the oath he finds himself the
senior Senator. with n voice in the selec-
ton of his colleague. He will not choose
Fessendcn, who was ready to scalp hin,
last January. He will make a deal of
some sort which will strengthen him in
the State leadership. and tins brings up
q number of Inter- sting possibilities
Men who want the governorship seek
BulkeleyS aid to esta a corner"
or the public patronage, both national
and State. They will 30 into the con-
test for the Senatorship and hold as
many votes as possible until the time
&C tines for the grand change, when they
VIII switch their supporters TO the man
cplcStcu iHfIl await TeclpTOca1lOn
when the gubernatorial contest arrives
next year.
Mclean, Hill, Brandegee.
BulkeIeys first effort will be to ANAL
gamate the Plat following with his
own. In this he will have to consider
Ex-Governor Mclean, who is looked
upon as the most typical representative
OF clean politics in Connecticut, man
OF character and ability and q student
of public questions. His previous pub
lie service has qualified him to become
a good Senator. as he knows the needs
and interests OF his State from one end
to the other.
Representative Frank B. Brandegee, of
the Third district, who was a close per-