The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-04
Only Hope of Beating
Him Rests on Slim
Chance of Allegheny
Crowd Splitting
CAUCUS WILL
BE TONIGHT
-Four Candidates Opposed to the Speak
ership Selection of DR.. Brumbaugh
Are Unyielding and Say They win
Fight to End

The situation on the Speakership
practically became settled this after
noon after the arrival OF Senator Ware,
of Philadelphia, and Congressman elect
John R. K. Scott, who is regarded as
Senator Wares lieutenant. Senator
Ware said that he is confident of the
selection of Mr.. Amber in the House
caucus tonight, and that he had as
surances of sufficient support to elect
the Montgomery county man.
The Allegheny county members, an
nounced to meet late this afternoon to
take action on the SpeakerShip Ques-
tion, were expected to endorse Amber,
and it was said that Representative A.
c, Stein, of Allegheny. had been select
ed to make the speech in caucus to-
night placing Mr.. Ambler's name in
nomination. This practically decided
where the Allegheny men will be found
and if they vote solidly for Amber the
Montgomery man will win.
The four candidates for Speaker out
side of Amber were in frequent con-
ference this morning. but had nothing
to say regarding report that they had
combined on any one of their number TO
contest Ambler's nomination. This was
regarded by the Amber people as an
evidence that the allies could not mus
ter sufficient votes to defeat their man.
A story prevailed that Governor elect
Brumbaugh would be here to-day, but
this was denied. In telephone con-
versstion with Representative Habgood
this morning DR.. Brumbaugh said that
he was awaiting the arrival of Senator
McNichol from the South, and after
talk with him might have something to
say regarding the Speskership.
Nothing was heard from the next
Governor up TO 3 O'Clock, and it was
conjectured that he hard not seen Sena-
tor McNichol up to that hour. 1t was
also said that DR.. Brlmbsugh is not
inimical to either Representatives Hab-
good or Williams. his reference to Mr.
Amber being that he regarded the lat
ter as the type of man he would
like to Sc selected as Speaker.
Senator Crow, Republican State
chairman. said he had nothing to say
regarding the Speakership, and that the
caucus would settle that matter.
The caucus will be held this evening
at & O'Clock in the House caucus room.
having been called by Representative
Ehrhardt, of Scranton, the oldest Re-
publican member in point of service.
Four candidates for the Speaker of
the House. besides Charles A. Amber.
Il Montgomery, who has the endorse
ment of Governor-eleet Brumbaugh.
after repea-ei conferences and long
distance talks with supporters of the
Republican ticket throughout the State.
were this morning stiH determined to
remain in the fight until the caucus
makes its choice tonight. They say the
result rests entirely with the Republi
can members of the House who snail
say who shal be Speaker, and they
therefore decided to enter the House
caucus tonight and make the contest.
These four candidates are Richard
i. Baldwin, OF Delaware. known as
Fighting Diek:" Robert P. Hab-
good, of Mexican a prominent newspa-
perman in the OIL region and secretary
OF the Pennsylvania State Editorial
Association; George W. Williams, of
Tioga member I'D in experience in
the House, and HeIrv |. Wilson, of JET
ferson, thrice member of the House
and former JOurna clerk of the Sen
ate. with a good dal of experience as
a presiding officer.
When these eand dates heard that
DR.. Brumbaugb hal declared for Mr..
Amber. they at one got into action
and in touch with th. county organiza-
tiOn leaders throughput the State as
we'll as with those Members of the
House who had not VT arrived. and
what they learned justified them, thev
said. in issuing the ;ollowing state
ment, after a final conference:
Statement of -Four Candidates
"As the result OF epeated confer
enees We agree that tfe expression of
the members now in Harrisburg is
strongly IN favor of tn election of a
Speaker bv the member of the House
who will most make fr harmony in
every way now and throughout the ses-
sion. We are in perfect accord ahd of
one mind and will contine to stand as
candidates"
The Country Four IS they have
come to be known to distinguish them
from Mr.. Amber whose ,andidaey is
said to rest on the suPpor it will get