The Portland daily press., 1875-12-03
Washington News and Gossip.

| THE sPEAKERSHIP.
The hight for the speakership, between the
Kerr and Randall factions, grows more intense
as the time approaches for final action. The
principals are rarely seen in public; they re-
main in their rooms, where they are continu-
ally visited by their friends, who bring them
news of how the battle goes. Senator Cor.
oon says the attitude of the South is Just as it
| should be. The South are not united on the
| question, and in not being united, he thought
| tpey were acting very wisely; that any attempt
to unite on candidate by the South would put
tnat section IN an attitude of attempting TO
| Glciate tne seIecuon. He does not think the
| Randall has many friends from that section.
Randall's fight upon the force bilP' last win
ter and his securing its defeat BY his flibuster-
| ing gained him many friends in the South, and
| the list has been further increased by the dec
| laration of the managers of the Texas Pacific
railroad scheme, that Mr.. Randall is not un-
| friendly to that scheme, The friends OF Mr..
Kerr are very sangune of success. They pro-
fess to have made a careful canvass Of the
| members now in the city. and claim ninety
votes for Kerr on the first ballot. Mr.. Randall
says be is perfectly satisfied with the outlook.
A meeting of the Pennsylvania delegation has
| been held. and it is claimed they are unanI-
nous for Randall.
MORE DECAPrrATIoNs.
1t is reported reduction of the entire work
ing force of the departments BY six per cent.
viii be made on the first Of January next.
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
Several important changes in the diplomatic
corps have occurred since the last session Of
Congress. At the Russian legation, Baron
Henri dOfenburg, envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary, was succeeded last
October by Mr.. Nicholas Shiskin. Baron
William Won Schwarz. Senborn has been ra.
called at his own request, as envoy from Aus
tria-Hungary, and his place filed by Count
Ladisas HOrjos Count Corti who so long
and ably filled the position of Italian minister
mas returned to Europe to engage 10 Q mission,
being succeeded by Baron Albert Blame. with
Mantilla de los Rios has given place to Admi-
raj Polo as Spanish minister. Chilli, which
has for some time been represented in WASH
ington by SeDor Errazuriz as first secretary of
legatlon, sends an envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary, Senior Don Adolfo
!banez: The Peruvian minister, Ceronel Don
Manuel Freyre, left Washington recently for
Peru, though he will remain in New York
this winter, and that country is represented
here by Don Edouard Villens, secretary Of le-
CATION. The Right Hon. Sir Edward Thorn
top, X. q. B., who was received by this gov
ernment February z, 1868. as minister from
Great Britain, remains as the dean of the
corps, beng the Oldest member in continuous
service.
MIR. BLAINE AS VICE PRESIDENT.
Hon. d. s. Harvey, formerly our minister 70
Lisbon, suggests in Washington paper that
the Senate choose ex-Speaker Blaine president
pro tenn. instead of Senator The Senate 10
not bound by the constitution to elect one Of
its own members
THE LoAvEs AND FISHES.
As the day approaches for the opening Of the
session, the candidates for the various Offices In
the gift of the House increase in number
There are known to be no less than eleven
candidates in the field for the clerkship Of the
House. and there will probably be more before
the week is out. Most prominent Is Mr. Geo.
Medderbarn Of Virginia, who received the
complimentary vote of the Democrats at the
organization of the Forty-third Congress, and
who has strong hackers, among. them
nearly all the newspapers in the district Hon.
John G. Thompson, Of Ohio, is spoken Of ss
most likely to be chosen Sergeant-at-Arms in
the House; and for door-keeper of the House,
Mr.. G. Eaton Creecy of Mississippi seems to
stand the best chance.