The New York herald., 1875-12-01
A Triangular Basis by New York's
Mephistopheles.
PENNSYLVANIA, OHIO AND THE SOUTH
The War Department on the Proposed Re-
duCtiOn Of the Army.
The Comptroller Of the Currency on the
National Banks.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON. Nov. 80, 1875.

WASHINGTON, Nov, 80, 1875.
The excitement the speakershp increases as the
time for the democratic caucus draws near, and the
chances OF Randall and Kerr the subject Of most
lively discussion wherever two more Congressman
get together The friends Of Kerr are sticking to him
with jealous tenacty. They are making great
parade of their strength and have induced
some of the betting men TO Think this
evening that he had gained little ground since last
night This, however the effect OF loud and per-
aistent boasng The Randall men are working quietly
and surely They claim that they already have eighty
who will vote for Randall on the first ballot AS
the whole number to participate in the after
excluding the independent democrats liberals and like
non party men, will not be over l73 democrats the
her ofvotes necessary to choice viii be only eighty
seven, and of this majority Randall lacks only
seven. On the first ballot Ohio will give Sunset
Cox complimentary vote and then 60 for
Randall, insuring his election The combination
which secures the success OF Randall has
been effected by sort OF triangular agreement
arrangement allotting the speakershp TO Pennsyl
vana the Clerkshp to the South and the sergeanat-
Arms TO Ohio 1t is not known who planned this in
genious combination but IT looks not unlike the work
of Fernando Woods In promising the South the Clerk
ship, name for that position agreed upon. The
probability is that the Congressman from that section
will meet independent caucus and decide upon the
choice of a man who will be voted for by the Ran
dali men in the general caucus, in return for the
tor Tho CHI of no South
for Clerk WILL is thought to- night be limited to three
names-viz., George c. wedderburn, the unanimous
candidate of the Virginia delegation General Du Bose
OF Georgia. and A. B. Banks, of Mississippi The Ser
geant-at Arms being conceded to Ohio the choice OF
the delegation FROM that State will it is believed fall
upon John G. Thompson, Chairman OF the Executive
Committee OF the Ohio Democratic State Committee
This is "the slate" it stands eleven O'Clock to-
night and the combination is strong that II win be
very hard to fracture IT,
THE QUESTION OF REDUCING THE ARMY-FEEL-
ING AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
II is not thought at the War Department that there
will be any reduction of the army, though considerable
soicude is felt about the that II would be
duced ten thousand II is there contended that the
Southern representatives who have military an
tecedents will be very favorably disposed to
the army. The repetition of these rumors creates
alarm and uncertainty in army circles and officers
generally considerably exercised them But the
Department is determined TO make a showing
during the coming session Of Congress, to the
end of demonstrating that the army has as
much, If not more, claim than the navy TO
being sustained by Congress. As a distinguished
military official at the War Department to-day put il,
"What the army wants is to be let alone" If
Mexican trouble to take shape in the United States
becoming the aggressor 1t is also said that
shall want Immediately army Of 90, 600 men, as
present force is not capable of protecting the
frontier OF keeping the Indians on the Plains
peace.
recent examination shows that we have hand
ready for 40O 900 stand Of arms consisting of
the most approved style OF breech leaders. When the
project OF Strengthening the boundary OF Mexico by
taking in the States Of Tamaupas, Nuevo Leon, Goa
hula, Chhuahus and Sonora referred to he said
sweeping his hand down the map the bounds OF
Mexico, 'Pshaw Why take in the whole OF 1t %