The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-01-12

KNELL TO
FUSION
REPUBLICAN,
MEMBERS BALK
WILL NOT ENTER CAUCUS
Refuse TO be Boond to Vote for
Fusionist Aspirants for Senator,
Treasurer and Comptroller

Nashville, Jan. Io.-The republi
cans of the Fifty-seventh general as
sembly OF Tennessee went to piece,
in an effort to hold Joint caucus
binding them on the United State,
senatorship, the majority of then
refusing to abide by any caucus
agreement. This failure on theil
part to get together is looked on a.
death knel to the fusion candi.
dates for the United States senate.
The republicans of the house me,
this afternoon at the capitol, ]. K. P.
Marshall, chairman of the caucus.
They invited the republican mem.
bers of the senate to join them.
This invitation was promptly re-
jected. Thereupon the house mem.
bers alone held session. Some
wanted to bind the republicans to
support the fusioniSts in the races
for senator, treasurer and comptrol-
Ter. Asserting their independence.
at least ten refused to go into any
such agreement. The caucus there
fore failed of its purpose.
The republican senators met at
the Duncan hotel at -7:3o O'Clock
last night. With majority of the
membership present they decided
not to pledge themselves. A meet
ing will be held later in the week.
when they will decide what course
TO pursue. The sentiment is strong
for independent action among them.
This sentiment became known
when Metropolitan members of the
house weakened on the legislative
deadlock, forcing the independents
to an Agreements with the democrats,
thereby dismissing and contests all
bringing about peace and the practi-
cal certainty of seating Hooper.
The situation with them is a natural
outgrowth prompted only by the
desire to do best by their constitu-
ents and utter distaste of being
whipped into line for purposes en-
tirely foreign to their interests. 1t is
believed that unless they are held in
line with the influence of certain
bosses there is not the least likeli-
hood Of them throwing their
strength to the fusion candidate for
the senate.
Just what republican they will
center on is a question. A number
of possibilities are mentioned.
Among them are Jesse Littleton, OF
Winchester; Newell Sanders, OF
Chattanooga; John c. Houk, re-
publican senator from Knox; J. B.
Cox, Knoxville, United States dis
trict attorney.
When asked for expressions on
these gentlemen it was found that
therepublican members were divided.
Houk was asked for an expression
as to which of these he favored, il
any, but he refused to say. When
pressed for statement on the situa-
ton, he said
/ fear the effort of certain re.
publican leaders to drive republicans
Of the assembly into coalition with
the independent democrats and kee p
them SO obligated on all questions,
whether in the republican state
platform or not, is fast DESTROYING
the chances of getting honest cleo
ton and redistrictin2 laws.
The senate is absolutely con-
trolled by the regulars, and it will be
natural for them to obstruct the on.
" legislation of permanent benefit t,
the republican party if the republ
cans oppose everything the regular.
want by joining their arch enemies
the independent democrats
along the line.
The hope of the situation tc
the republican party lies in the fac
that the assembly has a thinking anc
courageous republican membership
that will demand some things for the
republican party, You can set it
down that the republicans are moi
going TO be driven on the United
States seuatorship, and some other
things material to the republican
party. | am positive Gov. Hooper is