Evening Star Newspaper, March 14, 1896, Page 17

HST BALLAE THE. EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1896-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. 17 A THE St. LOUIS CONVENTION, ¢ it ‘Chances of Candidates as Summed Up After a Canvass of the Republican McKINLEY IN THE LEAD AT THE PRESENT Congressional Delegations, TIME The Ohio Candidate Against the Field---Votes for Reed, Allison and Other Candidates- ‘Uncertainty of McKinley’s Southern Support--- Details of the Situation in Various States. On the present basis of representation 6 votes will be necessary to nominate candidates for Presicent and Vice Presi- dent at the republican national conven- tion. A canvass of the several states and territories has been made by Staz reporters, through the congressional delegations, and the result is given below: McKinley will probably be well in the lead on the first ballot at the St. Louis con- vention. In the contest for delegates, as it new stands, it is the field against the Ohio candidate. Bread claims are being made by McKinley's friends, and in many in- stances these claims cannot be tested be- cause of the unsettled situation in many states counted for him. The indicasions are that he wilf have in the neighborhood of 262 delegates on the first ballot. It is slaimed by his antagonists that he will re- Ex-Gov. McKinley. ceive his highest vote on tae first two bal- lots. It Is conceded that Reed will have the next highest number of votes, but the other candidates seem to be willing to run the risk of tae Maine man’s getting the nomination, and to make common cause against McKinley. Two weak points in the case of Ohio’s favorite son to which at- tention is called are that the boom fs too well developed far In advance of the con- vention, thus encouraging the rivals to throw darts at it; and that it depends too much upon the southern votes. ‘The southern delegations are not general- ly regarded as a safe reliance, and in the present instance there will be contesting delegations from several of the southern states. In these cases of contest, choice is apt to depend upon the complex- Jon of the convention as determined by the majority of delegates without contests. For this reason, Mr. McKinley might have already to control the convention before he could add these contestants to his col- umn. In Florida two districts have in- dorsed Reed, and there are two sets of d egates contesting for the other six places. One delegation is for Morton and the other for McKinley. This delegation, while ciaim- ed, cannot be counted for McKinley unless he controls the conyention without it. Mississippi presents a contest. While both delegations at the outset were sup- posed to be for McKinley, it is believed that incidents of the fight have rendered it probable that one of these delegations will be anti-McKinley. Here again the delega- tion is rendered unavailable in aiding the Ohio candidate to control the convention organization. A similar situation is expected to affect the delegations of South Carolina, Ala- bama, Louisiana and Texas, which will probably send contesting delegations. It is therefore possible that 106 delegates, or most’ of those representing these states, will have nothing to do with the temporary organization. For and Against McKinley. The present Indications are that McKinley will go into the convention with about 16 votes from Arkansas, about 20 votes from Indiana, 20 votes from Kansas, 30 from Mis- souri, 46 from Ohio, § from Oregon, 16 from ‘Tennessee, 6 from Virginia, 12 from West Virginia and 22 from Wisconsin. Besides these 194 votes, he is able to get at the start. 6 from Alabama, 6 from Delaware, 6 from Hlinots, 10 from Indiana, 2 from Ne- traska, 17 from North Carolina, 6 from North Dakota and (at least) 13 in Georgia, making in ali 262, that there is a reasonable Prospect of his having on the first ballot. ‘The uncertainties in this estimate may safe- ly be reckoned as offset by the uncertain- ties among those cotmted as not favorable to the Ohio candidate. In all estimates politicians are now mak- ing the delegztes are divided into simply Senator Allison. BicKinley and anti-McKinley classes, as the first fight is expected to come in that form. ‘The votes calculated as most apt not to be east for McKinley are: California, 18; Colo- rado, 8; Idaho, 6; Illinois, 42; Iowa, 20; New England, 78; Maryland, 16; Montana, 6; Ne- braska, 14; Nevada, 6; New Jersey, 20; New the | York, 72; North Carolina, 5; Pennsylvania, 60; Utah, 6; Minnesota, 18, South Dakota, 8, and Tennessee, 8; making 417. Votes im Doubt. This leaves 125 votes in doubt or divided —as between McKinley and the fleld— Georgia, 13; Kentucky, Missourl, 4; Virginia, 18; Washington, 8; Wisconsin, 2; Wyoming, 6; Arizona, 2; New Mexico, 6; Oklahema, 2; District of Columbia, 2; In- dian territory, 2; Alaska. 2, and Pennsyl- vania, 4, in addition to 106 delegates con- tested. Of these most of the Michigan and Kentucky votes are apt to go to McKinley if the states are not represented by favor- ite sons. Bradley is almost sure to have the Kentucky vote on the first ballot. It is doubtful about Michigan presenting a favorite son. 4 For Reed. Reed will nave the 78 New England votes sure, and with reasonable certainty 5 from North Carolina, 6 from Tennessce, 12 from Virginia, 2 frem Florida, making 103. It is believed that he will get out of the con- testing delegations 15 from Louisiana, pos- sibly all the Lynch delegation from Mis- sissippi, 18; 12 from Alabama and a ma- jority of Texas. It is expected that he will get 8 in Georgia, 3 in Missouri, 20 in New Jersey, half, if uot all the 18 California delegates, 16 from Maryland. These latter estimates are only approximate, since no definite calculaticn can now be made as to how the «nti-McKinley delegates, when there are divided delegations, will be dis- tribut2d~amoag the several other candi- j dates. It is thought that Reed will have on the start upward of 200 votes, rot count- ing large blecks of delegates who will be tied to other caadidates at first. Allison’s Strength. It is difficult to estimate Allison's strength. He will have the twenty-six Iova votes and a few scattering here and there to start with, but is second or third choice in many quarters. On account of the pessibilities of a deadlock his stock is quoted high, withcut much being in sight at the start. It is counted as not improbable that the entire Indiana delegation may go to him very eariy in the fight. He is likely to draw largely from Michigan, Minnesota, illinois and parts of the south, on a break up. Other Candidates. Mcrton and Quay will go in each with his big state delegation behind him, and each with a few delegates in the south. As to both these, all the rest is mystery. Davis will have Minnesota and South Da> kota to start with. Bradicy will probably have Kentucky behind him. Alger or Bur- rows may be presented by. Michigan. Man- derson will probably have all but two of the Nebraska delegates. Cullom will prob- ably have all but four of the Illinois deie- gation. 5 A most careful survéy of the field dis- closes a situation which indicates a strong improbability cf » nomiration on the first two or three ballots. A liberal allotment to McKinley of the delegates whose posi- tion is doubtful would hardly give him strength to control the convention at the start against the field. The field seems to have the biggest bunch. New England. It is cor.ceded by every one that the solid New England delegation will be for Reed. Maine and some cther of these states, it is confessed by the friends of other candi- dates, will stand by Reed to the end, what- ever the result may be, but they profess to believe that the delegates from some of the New England states will have a second choice, and will le Reed after a while. The Reed people claim, and the general in- dications are, that there will be no second choice with any of these delegations, and that if the Maine man should be defeated the whole of New England would still be Col. W. 0. Bradley. found standing by him to the last ballot. Without contest or discussion the twelve delegates from Connecticut, the twelve from Maine, the thirty from Massachu- setts, the ten from New Hampshire, the ten from Rhode Island and the ten from ‘Vermont are counted for Reed. Representative McCall says that there is ro doubt about New England standing solidly by Mr. Reed, and that they will do so, in his judgment, without any second choice. Mr. McKinley and Mr. Allison, he says, have many friends in Massachusetts ard elsewhere in New England, but they regard Reed as their local candidate. Mr. Russell of Connecticut says that while McKinley has many friends in Con- necticut and elsewhere in New England, tkere is no idea of being for any one but Reed, and they have no more thought of a second cho:ce than the Ohio delegation has. fs ey have their own candidate, and are for sm. The New Hampshire state convention will meet at Concord on the 3ist of this month. The second district convention will be held the same ‘day at the same place, and the first district the next day, at Manchester. Should Reed ever be out of the race, it is said there is a very tender spot for Morton. Mr. Morton Hved at both Conccrd and Harover many years ago, and did business in those places. Governor McKinley also has friends. If the time should ever come when Reed were out of the race, Morton might get the vote of Vermont. Governor Morton was born at Shoreham, in that state, and is still remembered with respect and ad- mairation. Senator Proctor will, no doubt, be a delegate from the state. Talking of the sentiment of the state, Congressman Grout said: “We are for the American doctrine of silver and gold. We are for keeping the two metals on a parity.” New York and Pennsylvania, The situation in New York and Pennsyl- vania is almost identical, except that in the former the general sentiment is regarded as more favorable to Reed, and in Pennsyl- vania it is regarded as probably more fa- vorable to McKinley. In the New York delegation in Congress no one can be found who will admit any doubt as to the earnest- ness of Morton’s candidacy, or for a min- ute discuss the possibility of a second choice. In the Pennsylvania delegation the only answer to all questions is that Quay is a candidate, and that Pennsylvania is solid for Quay. Any talk of second choice or of the relative strength of other candi- dates in the state is resented. The" combination is generally ‘regarded as anti-McKinley, whatever else it may or may not be. There are various estimates as to how thé delegations of these two states would divide up if their favorite sons were out of the way. Reed's strength in New York is generzlly conceded, and there is a dispute as to whether he or Mc- Kinley is stronger in Pennsylvania. There isa public bellef that some sort of understanding has been had between Quay and Platt, and that the votes of Pennsyl- vania and New York will eventually be thrown for the same candidate. The unit tule is expected to operate in both delega- tions, so that minority support will not count. No doubt is expressed that Quay will control the Pennsylvania delegation and throw it where he wants, if he drops out of the race himself. As to the New York delegation, one of the best informed of the republican members of the House says that they will vote for Morton until he tells them to stop, and ff he is not nominated they will, when he retires, vote as he says. How the votes of these two great states will ultimately bé cast in the convention no one can tell. It is doubtful whether the leaders have as yet any idea; but one thing generally recognized, or at least belleved, is that the combination is to cast the sev- enty-two votes of New York and nearly all, If not quite all, of the sixty votes of Penn- sylvania against McKinley. New Jersey. Mr. Loudenslager says that the New Jer- sev delegation will go unpledged, and will be free tc act as circumstances and the general condition of affairs may influence their choice after they get to the conven- tion. They have no hostility toward any candidate. None of the New Jersey men will admit any preference with the delega- tion. The belief is expressed in other quai ters that they will be found in the Reed column. Maryland, Representative Wellington says that the Maryland delegation will probably go to the convention without promise, pledge or obligation to any one of the candidates. As a compliment to their new republican governor they will probably cast their six- teen votes for Lowndes on the first ballot, and after that their course will be decided by the existing circumstances. There Is a general understanding that Mr. Reed has M. S. Quay. a little the best chance of bagging this delegation when the trap fs sprung. Delaware. . Representative Willis said to a Star re- porter: “My opinion ts that the people of my state are for McKinley, with Speaker Reed as second choice. Speaker Reed has some very strong friends, as well as other candidates, but McKinley has always been our choice.”” The state convention has not been called, but will be held the last of May or the Ist of June. It will be held after the prim- aries for delegates to the convention take Place. From other sources it is learned that Messrs. Higgins and Addicks have been mentioned as candidates for delegates-at- large from the state. The delegates will not be instructed, but they will support the candidate who is the choice of the repub- licans of the state. Alabama. . One district has acted in Alabama. That was the fourth, which held its convention on March; 4th. ‘Bhe fight was McKinley against the field. iThe contending factions were nearly ‘evenly divided. The anti-Mc- Kinleyitex’ left tHe hall and went to a church ani held a'convention of their own. They elected W. F. Aldrich and F. Curtis, delegates.’ Aldrich; who is contesting the seat of Ri resentafive Robbins, is for Reed, while Curtis is for Morton. The regular convention elected W. J. Stevens and Capt. T, J. Dunn, both pledged to McKinley. The state- convention will be held at Montgonrery in April, and the same fight had in the fourth district will be renewed there. R. A. Moseley, who is for Reed, is @ candidate for re-election as state chair- man. He is opposed by W. A. Vaughn, a lawyer.of Birmingham. Vaughn is for Mc- Kinley. He is being backed by W. A. Youngblood and W. J. Stevens, both Mc Kinley men. The position of state chairman in a south- ern state means everything. Through that position all the plums are distributed. The indications are that Vaughn, the McKinicy man, will win. If he wins McKinley will carry the state convention and elect the delegates-at-large, but there will be a con- testing delegation, as will be the case from almost every southern state. The district delegates will be divided, probably. The MeRintey people claim that their candidate will lead, and Reed and Morton will divide the minority between them. On the other hand the claim is made that McKinley will not have more than six of the delegates. Arkansas. Arkansas will be the second state called at the republican national convention, and the solid vote of the state—sixteen—will be cast for McKinley. The republican state convention was held March 8, and the McKinley men had the convention all their own way. Gen. Powell Clayton, who has been Tepublican leader of Arkansas for years, announced himself for McKinley months ago. Some time before tfe state convention was held Gen. Clayton’s name was mentioned for a cabinet position should McKinley win. M. A: Hanna sent a con- gratulatory telegram to the convention, to the effect that that state was the leader in the nomination of McKinley. The dele- gates at large from the state are Powell Clayton. H. L. Remmell,.Henry M. Cooper and M. W. Gibbs, colored. District dele- gates have also been elected. Another state convention will be held on July 1 for the purpose of putting out a full state ticket. The republicans are very hopeful, and believe they have a chance of carrying the state this fall. Should they be able to make a combination with the populists they would stand a good chance, especially should the national democratic convention declare against silver. The in- dependent sentiment in the state is large, and thousands of democrats would not vote for a gold standard candidate for President. The state convention adopted a platform in favor of “true bimetallism,” in favor of protection and in favor of a tariff law, the rates of which “will meas- ure the difference between American and European conditions, and will be fully adequate to protect ourselves from the invasion of our markets by oriental pro- ducts to the injury of American labor, and will in no case be too low to protect and exalt American labor and promote and in- crease American production. The convention condemned “the action of the democratic party m Congress, espe- cially the Arkansas Senators and Represen- tatives, in voting to place and in pfacing the products of our #farests on the free list, whereby the lu industry of this state has been greaffgecrippied and the price of labor emp! in sald industry greatly reduced.” mvention also de- clared in its- platfc; at as protection should be the leadi we in the coming campaign it regarded@4Jov. McKinley as the logical candidate foy President on such a platform. ‘He ig-a’ platform in him- self,” the convention declared, “and the delegates from this convention are hereby instructed to vote for him.” There is a small disaffected eldment in the state, but Levi P. Morton, it has made no kick, and there will be but one set of delegates at St. Louis. Florida. Florida has elected two sets of delegates to St. Louis. The state convention was held last week. The regular convention, con- sisting of all but eighty delegates out of 230, elected eight McKinley delegates to St. Louis, although they were not instruct- ed. The other convention was for anybody to beat McKinley, put is supposed to have been for Morton, and the delegates clected by it are Morton men. Anyhow, they are anti-McKinleyites. The bolling faction is known as the “lily whites,” and has long been anxious to build up a white republi- can party in the siate, and to retire the negro from active participation in_ the party management. It is headed by E. R. Gunby, formerly collector of customs at Tampa. He went to Florida from Mary- land. His faction is said to have the active backing of Morton, Quay and all the anti- McKinf®y candidates, and there will be a pretty fight at the national convention over which delegation shall be seated. The Gun- by faction elected the following delegates at large: B. R. Gunby, Tampa; H. W. Chan- ler, Ocala; H. S. Chubb, Winter Park; S. H. Coleman, Gainesville. The party management in Florida has for years been in the hands of John G. Long, Dennis Eagan and Joe Lee, colored, and these men ran the regular convention last week. Long is the national committeeman and Eagan is the state chairman. Eagan was formerly collector of internal revenue. This faction elected as delegates at large E. S. Skinner, Escambia county; J. G. Long, St. Augustine; J. E. Lee, Jackson- ville; L. W. Livingston, Key West. The same faction also elected delegates from the two congressional districts, one of the number’ being Dennis Eagan, state chair- man. As the Eagan faction, which is opposed to class distinction, appears to be largely in the majority, the eight votes of Florida may be counted for McKinley. The populist vote in Florida was small in the last national election, but has grown some, and a combination between them and the republicans might worry the democrats. Georgia. A vigorous fight has been going on in Georgia for months jetween tie McKinley and Reed Supporters,, Col. A. E. Buck has for years run things to suit himself in that state. He wants McKinley delegates from the state, and seem@ to be getting along fairly well, althougW hé‘has lost two dis- trict fights. The Reed men captured these districts. The remaining four were cap- tured by the McKinley supporters. There are contests, however, from every district, and there will be Gonttsts from all the other districts yet t aét. The state con- vention will begin an@ end with a squabble, but it ts thought that the McKinley men will come out on tép. @olonel Buck is a Maine man, but has lived in Georgia since the war. He has held ‘ffice under every republican administration? ‘The Reed forces are being led by W. A. Pledger, the most prontinent colored re- publican in the states TNere is a possibility that when the state aconvention meets Col- onel Buck and Pledger: may be able to harmonize thirgs and divide the delega- ‘on to the satisfaction of each. All each man wants is the honor of controlling the delegation, or a part of it. It is even hint- ed that the Morton, Quay and Allison men may bring “influence” enough to bear to get a goodly number of the delegates before the fight is over. Georgia republicans have a peculiar habit of seeing the error of their way at the lest moment and changing. Should there be no change in the fight from now on, however, McKinley may get sixteen out of the twenty-six delegates, and Reed the remainder. North Carolina. 2 Looking at North Carolina through con- gressional glasses it will be for McKinley. Senator Pritchard is one of McKinley’s Southern manngers, and of the three re- ‘publican Representatives from the state Linney and Pearson are for McKinley. Settle is for Reed. North Carolina is one Neo ee eee eee ee eee ce eR NE SA cI A ca ARP hI a Sen UREN FONT OU nv nun RLS i} of the states in which the Congressmen take a hand in the fights for the election of delegates. Mr. Settle be sure make a fight for Reed, and his district will be almost certair to send Reed dele- gates. In Mr. Linney’s district there is also considerable Reed sentiment. Throughout the state Allison is said to be second choice. the twenty-two delegates to which the state is entitled, it is estimated that McKinley will get about seventeen and Reed five. The state convention has not Seoetlpete and none of the districts have acted. Kentucky. “The majority of the republicans of Ken- tucky are for McKinley should Gov.. Brad- ley be out of the race,” said Representative Colson to a Star reporter, “but all of the candidates have warm friends. Cullom of Illinois was born in my district, and he has many friends. Reed is also well backed, but, as I have said, the majority of the re- publicans of Kentucky are for McKinley. Our delegates will be instructed for Gov. Bradley, if he desires it.” So far as the republican Representatives of the state are concerned, Hunter, Pugh and Colson are for McKinley, while Lew:s and Evans are for Reed. ‘The state convention will meet on April 15, for the purpoze of electing four dele- gates-at-large. None of the district con- ventions have yet been held, but they will all meet between now and that time. A pretty fight is expected when the state convention meéts. Bradley is known to be very much in earnest in his candidacy for the pres‘dential nomination. He hopes that he will be-one of the dark horses which will, {t is expected by many, be necessary to bring on the track. If Mr. Bradley, who is said to be for Morton, cannot get the nomination for first place, he might be in- duced into a combination by which he could get second place. In order to have things just where he can do as he pleases he must have delegates at his back who will help him in whatever he wants. Can he do this? is a question that is asked very often. If Representative Hunter and his friends have their way, the governor will get nothing at St. Louis but a compli- mentary vote on the first ballot for Pre: dent, and then his influence will end. Few Kentuckians look upon Bradley's candi. dacy with earnestness, and there are many of the leaders who do not care to be handi- capped to the extent of having to vote for him on the first ballot. They consider it a waste of votes. Many of the McKinley men take this view of it. They know what a fight is to be made on the Ohio man after the first ballot. and they think that the votes they might cast for him on that bal- lot instead of for Bradley might nominate him. So the fight in the state convention will really resolve itself into one between the supporters of McKinley and the other can- didates, with McKinley having the advan- Senator Cullom. tage to begin with. If McKinley men should be chosen they will be instructed to vote for Bradley on the first ballot, or if there is any chance for him. There is a bitter feeling between the ad- herents of Representative Hunter and of Gov. Bradley, growing out of the alleged knifing of Hunter by the governor's friends in the -senatorial race. Hunter's friends will try to prevent any instructions for Bradley, and they will at the same time try to do something to curb the growing power of the governor in the state. It is a fight between Hunter and Bradley for the con- trol of the politics of the state. The siate convention will declare for sound mone: protection and reciprocity. “Reciprocity popular in Kentucky,” said Representative Colson id protection is grow every day. Nearly every democratic mill man in Kentucky voted the republican ticket last year because their trade with Cuba had deen lost by the repeal of the McKinley law. They had established a good business in Cuba.” In the congressional conven- tiors to be held between now and April 15 it is said that a majority of the candidates for delegates have publicly announced themselves for McKinley. Representative Hunter did not care to talk on the on, except to say that the Kentucky republicans are for sound money. “There are few free silver republicans in the state,” he said. Louisiana, The squabble in Louisiana beats the thirteen puzzle, and there are few of the politicians of the state who know how it stands. They haven't any idea themselves. Unless there is a compromise between now and June the national convention will have to settle the contest. Through it all, however, the indications are that Reed will come out on top. Ex- Gov. Pinchback and W. P. Kellogg, who have managed the republican machine for years, are both for the Maine statesman, and are doing ail they can. Their infiu- ence is expected to turn over a majority of the delegates to Reed. The situation is constantly shifting. The opinion is ex- pressed that Reed will get all but one of the delegates. The republicans and populists, aided by the sugar growing democrats, are getting the fusion movement in shape. They are going to nominate Capt. Pharr for gov- ernor. The: fusionists will also put out congressional candidates. Missouri. Gov. McKinley could not secure a more solid or enthusiastic support from his own state than he is getting in Missouri. The supporters of all the candidates in that state admit that Missouri will send a solid McKinley delegation to St. Louis. There is no other battle cry in the state but “Mc- Kinley,” and the funny part of it is that the majority of the politicians of the state are against the Chio man. Chairman Fil- ley is one of the few leading politicians who favor the apostle of protection, but he is a Power. Reed has many friends among the but the rank and file of the par- no cne but McKinley. To carry out the wishes cf the ple, the politicians will vote at the convention for McKinley, and he will get the thirty-four votes of the state ina lump. The newspapers have been reticent. They don't want McKinley, bui don’t care to kick against an overwhelming sentiment. Only one district convention has been held. That was in the seventh, and the de!- egates were instructed for McKinley. The next convention will be onthe 18th of this month. The fifteenth distriet wil act at that time. v @ At least two of the Missauri Congressmen would vote for Reed if their constituents didn’t desire McKinley. ‘They are Repre- sentatives Joy and Bartholdt. Each of them agrees that McKinleg has everything. The Reed men are working for their fa- verite as second choice, and that is where they expect to get in their work. If the state convention, which hasn't been called, doesn’t instruct the delegates to stand to McKinley to the tast, the Recd men are hopeful of accomplishing something. It is argued that if McKinley doesn’t win on the first few ballots he will not win at all.When the delegat'en has stuck by him loyaily up to that time its obligations to him ought to be considered as ended. Next to McKinley Reed is the most pcpuiar candidate in the state. A Missouri Congressman was asked how it was there secmed to be so few Allison men in the state. He answered that Alli- son had rever taken any unusuul interest in the state, although it joined Iowa. Congressman Crowther was one of: the few men who cared to express themselves for publication on the Missouri situation. “Yes,” he said, in answer to a Star man’s question, “everything indicates that Mc- Kinley will have a united delegation at St. Louis. The people are for him, and think that there is no one like him.” “What makes him so popular in the state?” he was asked. “Numercus reasons,” was the answer. “Maj. McKirley is personally known to thousands of people in the state. He spoke throughout Miesouri in thé campaign of 1892. In my district he spoke to 20,000 peo- ple at one meeting. Missouri is an agri- cultural state, and the farmers believe in protection. They believe that prote¢tion is the principal issue in this campaign, and they cannot separate protection and Mc- mies ley. The two aré one and the same to em. So far as the state and congressional campaigns are concerned, the republicans have never been mor: jubilant. They say they see victory ahead. They are prepar- ing to take advantage of the divisions in the democratic rarks in the state on the financial questions. There is not so much division of sentiment in the republican ranks on these questions. It is claimed that the republicans are not for free silver of the 16 to 1 sort, but believe in bimetal- lism. This is gathered from taiks with the Congressmen of that state. Representatiye Joy is mentioned as the re- publican candidate for governor. He is a fighter. and would make things hum should he be nominated. Mississippi. The situation in Mississippi is simple but interestiug. There are two factions in the state—one headed by John R. Lynch, an ex-auditor of the treasury, and the other by James Hill. Both are colored, and stand at the head of their race in point of inteili- gence and honesty. Hill was at one time internal revenue collector of the state. The state convention was held last week, and divided into two canventions. Each elected delegates to St. Louis, and the interesting part of it is that each selected McKinley delegates. There is no division so far as McKinley is concerned, the friends of the Ohio candidate say. The delegates of m K. Davis. each faction are for him first, last and all the time. The Hill faction seems to be in the majority in point of numbers. Mis- sissippi democrats regard both Hiil and Lynch as men of the highest standing, and say that whichever side loses at St. Louis will accept the defeat gracefully. It may be that each delegation will be given half a vote, and both delegat‘ons seated in that way. It is beginning to look now, however, as if the Lynch faction might turn against McKinley on account of alleged assistance given by McKinley’s managers to the Hill faction. The split ccmes about through each fac- tion wanting to control the state patronage should tke republican national ticket be successful There are few white republi- cans in the state, and they cut no figure in leadership. Mississipp! is an exception that way. In most of the southern states a few white men run everything. Tennessee. H. Clay Evans, Chairman Newell San- ders and practically all the leaders of Ten- ressee ace for McKinley. Representative Gibson Icans toward McKinley, while Rep- tesentatives Brown and McCall are un- derstood to be favorable to Reed. Mr. Evans, who is the strongest and most popular republican in Tennessee, would like to be the vice presidential nom- ipee on the ticket with McKinley, or with any one else, but thinks that McKinley's nomination should give the south the vice see republicans claim ‘ice President Tennes- see wovld ublican in November. The state convention has not been cail- ed, but will probably meet some time in May. The delegation from the state will rot be instructed, as it has never been the custom to do so. The opinion, from the best sources, is that one of the dele-/ gates-at-large will be for Reed. This dele- gate-to-be is a nan who is personally pop- viar. The other three will be for McKin- ley. Representative Gibson said to a Star re- porter that if the question were left to a primary vote of the republicans of the state two out of every three men would ke for McKinley. He estimates that out of the twenty=four delegates from the state McKinley will get sixteen, Reed six, Morton one and Allison one. Texas. There is such a jumble in Texas that no man can predict the result at St. Louis. “Lily Whites” and ‘Black and Tan"—are at war with each other and with themselves. Four or five district conventions have been held. There has been a split in cach and contesting del- gations. Re-d, McKinley and Allison have secured delegates, ‘The leaders are badly divided. National Committeeman Cuney is supporting Allizon With all his power; State Chairman Grant is for McKinley; the celebrated Webb Flan- agan is for McKinley; Wilber Crawford of Cameron county, and a most popular leader, is for Reed. These facts show the situation in Texas better than they could be told. The ques- tion of what presidential candidate will get @ majority of the thirty votes of the state will not be settle{ until the national conven- tion settles it. It will be in the solution of these perplexing southern contests that the real strength of any one candidate or com- bination of candidates will be shown. If McKinley can win the majority of the southern contests, he will be greatly strengthened. If a combination against him wins, it will hurt him. Virgi The fight in Virginia is proceeding with vigor and bitterness, and when the state convention meets at Staunton on April 23 there will be a contest such as has not been seen in the state for years. Col. William Lamb, the state chairman, has incurred the resentment of a large num- ber of the influential politicians in the state. Lamb is understood to be for Recd. At any vate, he is antl-McKinley, and the charge-is that he wants to take a pocket delegation to St. Louis which he can deliver just as he sees fit. Among those who are opposing him are Messrs. Bowden of Norfolk, Allen and Waddell of Richmcad and Editor S. M. Yost of Staunton. Mr. Yost’s paper is fighting for McKinley. If Lamb is beaten when the state convention is held, it means that a majority of the Virginia delegation will go to the national convention for McKinley Should Lamb win, the majority of the dele gates will be anti-McKinley, with the prob- abilities that Reed will get them. - Colonel Lamb is the successor to Mahone. The republicans who are fighting him charge that he is dictatorial. They say that he has already picked ont the delegates-at-large from the state, but has been notified that he cannot have his way. The triumph, of onel Lamb will mean a great deal for him. lt means that if a republican President is elected his signature to the application of any candidate will be final. The opposition recognizes this. From the number fighting him it looks a good deai like Lamb will te -defeated. West Virginia. “Our state is way down on the lst, and the ‘homination may be made before we are reached,” said about as well-posted a man as there is from the state, “but we will cast a solid vote for MeKinley when we are reached. Ninety per cent of our people are for McKinley. If we have any second choice at all it will be Reed. Of course, if we sce any chance to nominate Senator Elkins we will make the attempt, but his name will not be presented to the convention unless we see that chance. Our delegation will go uninstructed.”* The state convention will meet on the 224 of April. The third district will hoid iis convention on-the 26th of this month: Sey- eral months ago the West Virginia delega- tion held a meeting here and decided fo take no part in the selection of delegates. None of the delegation will allow the use of their names, not even Senator Elkins. The rea- son for this action is that West. Virginia is fuil of brainy and ambitious men who will be glad of the honor of going to the national convention. There is a strong sentiment in the state against any set of men having everything. ‘The state chairman of the party, W. M. 0. Dawson of Kingwood, is strongly for Mc- Kinley, and the republican papers of the state are backing him. The McKinley col- umn is likely to have the twelve votes of West Virginia. South Carolina. ‘The republican party of South Carolina has always been more or less divided in the matter of leadership. There are now two distinct and hostile factions in the state, each claiming to be the real party organiza- tion. One of thése is headed by E. M. Bray- ton, and is the one which has lately been adding a good many democratic recruits to the party. Brayton, whé is for Rend, claims to be the rightful state chairman. The other faction is led by-E. A. Websier, ex- collector of internal revenue. He also bx-Sepator Mande claims to be the rightful state chairm: This faction claims to be largely in the m: jority. Among the leaders in this faction are ex-Representative Robert Smalls, colored, and Thos. B. Johnson, the contestant for the seat of Representative Stokes of the seventh district. The Webster faction is support- ing Allison solidly, while the other faction. or at least the chairman of it, !s for Reed. The regular state convention is announced to be held on April 7, but the Brayton fac- tion has called one for April 14, and there will be two distinct sets of delegates. It has been an almost invariable rule of national conventions, in cases of these contests, to give each faction a half vote. McKinley has a@ good many strong friends among the minor leaders, but if there is no change in the situation from now until the state con- vention Allison will be the victor, and will - get all, or nearly all, of the delegates. Smalls was once a power in the state, and ruled everything to suit himself.’ His county contains an enormous colored popu- lation, and he was formerly solid with them. Internal factions lessened his power. He stronger in other parts of the state than at his home. Brayton, ‘the leader of the Reed forces, was defeated for the republi- can nomination of the seventh district by Johnson, who is allied with the Websier- Smalls people. A white republican party, composed of the better element of the old party and dis- affected democrats, who are tired of the Tillman reform rule in the state, is being crganized with some success, and the pres- €nce of this element makes the situation in that state somewhat doubtful. It is not thought that they will take much stock in the county conventions, preferring not to engage in the disgraceful scrambles which characterize such affairs. Many of the new recruits are McKinley men. They are cot nected with cotton factories, and want pro- tection. Should they be able to turn the votes of their employes to the republican a. it would be a large additiop to the “anks. It is not likely that any combination be- tween republicans and dixaffected elements could be effective. So miuny colored votes were disfrat ised by the new constitution, adopted last year, that there would Lave to be a strong white backing to win. Chairman Brayton was in Washington this week. He said: “The fight in our state is not so much one of presidential cand dates. It is a question of organizing a re- spectable republican party. The most of the men who will attend the convention called by me are for Reed.” The Dakotas. Representative Johnson of North Dakota says that in his state the fight is chiefly be- tween Davis and McKinley, Davis is natur- ally very strong in the state, but recent reports, he says, rather indicate that Mc- Kinley has a litile the best of the fight, though it is not yet certain that he will get the deicgation. If the delegation had to drop to a second chotce, there be a very friendly feeling toward Allison. In South Dakoia a strong fight is being made to get the delegation for Senator Pettigrew, who is an friend of Davis’, is himself in the field, and expects to be one of the delegates, bea ing the delegation at St. Louis. The silver question enters into the fight. The princi- pal opposing force to Davis there, as in North Dakota, is “McKinley and tion.” The belief is that Senator Pc rew will control the delegation, or rather that the delegation will be as he desires, - Hilinois. The Mlinois men in Congress agree that Cullom will be a serious candidate before the convention, and that he will have al- most a solid delegation from the state. His candidac: depend for any hope of success upon p! nz a waiting game, and, understanding this, it is said, his friends will stick by him until the time comes, if it should, that it would be cbviously useless to make a further fight. It would be us: less to enter the contest at all under any other condition, as there is no idea tha Culiom could lead c the stru e. There is a decided McKinley sentiment in the state, and the general impression seems to be that he would have a majo of the change this. The McKinley peopie hav clined to take Cullom’s candidacy seriously. but kave adhered to the idea that it was Speaker Reed. simply instigated to preve paving the delegation from t i: they have gone to d it is said that from ‘bly more, of the d wiil be instructed for McKinley, in sp’ the preser.ce of a favorite son in the Thus Cullom has to fight the McKin: fluence to secure the delegation of his own state, and it ‘s argued that the Cullom dele- gates who may be chosen will not feel friendly to the Ohio man. This general proposition is probably subject to excep- tion. A seemingly conservative statement is that if Cullom should retire during the national convention the delegation would be divided between McKinley, Reed and Al- lison, the twe former standing pretty close together. The delegation might vote solidly for either one of these men if the situation were such as to make that decide the con- test. The Illinois members will not admit that there is any second choice, but insist that the delegation will stand by Cullom unul he is nominated or retires of his own accord. The Indiana delegation in the House are very strongly favorabie to McKinley. Most of them expect that the delegation from that state, while they will go to the con- vention unpledged, will vote almost solidly for the Ohio candidate. The Allison men are the chief ones to dispute this. They in- timate that there are forces at work in the state which the delegation here do not properly understand, and which will bring about a different result. Representative Hardy of Indiana says that the Indiana delegation is for McKinley, sure. He says McKinley will have the whole delegation. Seventy-two county chairmen, he says, have already declared for the Ohio candi- date, and the members of the House here find hardly any one but McKinley spoken of in their correspondence from home. Iowa. The twenty-s:x votes of Iowa will be cast in the convention for W. B. Allison, who is rot only a favorite son, but one whose gener- al strength warrants his state irf adhering to Steadfastly. Both Reed and McKinley have friends in the Iowa delegation in Congress. Reed has some very earrest friends who will have influence in the delegation to the national convention, but no one thinks of trying to make a break in that delega- tion any more than they would in the dele- gation from Maine. Allison being a seri. ous cancidate and one whose best chanze is counted to be in a long fight, his own Gelegation may be expected to stand by him. His strength is expected to be aug- mented after the first few ballots, and his