Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-03
The Speakership and the Rest.

The position Of the candidates for the
Speakership has undergone no material
change since yesterday. The friends of Mr.
Kerr claim, however, that the votes which
have been pledged to Mr.. Cox will, after the
complimentary ballot, be cast for their man,
and figure out the comforting conclusion
that in such an event Mr.. Kerr will certainly
receive the caucus nomination. The friends
Of both sides display the same confidence
they have exhibited since the contest begun.
II is a well played game of bluf. Either of
the sides know enough not to venture hea-
Willy in bets. They cannot anticipate who
The latest arrival in the interest o. Ran
dall's candidacy is Billy McMullen, o. Phil
adelphia, ex-alderman OF the ith ward, as he
is Familiarity known. He has a BoweTy style
about him, and talks like a Troja for his
man. While Billy may be able 10 set up
primary ward meeting, IL is to be doubted il
he forms an element OF strength for his choice
OF candidates.
Jenny O'Brien and John Morrtssey
to day were reinforced by the presence
OF Mayor Wickham, of New York, who
arrived this morning. The latter Joined the
former in an &C tive canvass for Randall.
The impossibility of arriving at the real
strength of either candidate arises just here.
The shrewd politicians decline TO declare
what they viii do until the race indicates
the successful candidate. They promise to
do great deal for both, without any other
real intention than that of being on the side
carrying the heaviest artillery when the
gressnen who decline to make known their
preference. There is no way to anticipate
how this uncOmmitted controlling vote win
be cast.
Should the personal feeling and acrimory
which has already entered into the canvass
between Randall and Kerr, result in the
determination of each TO prevent the success
or The other, the drift of opinion centers
upon the selection of Milton r. Sayler, of
Ohio. With Kerr and Randall thrown over
board, he could on the second or third ballot,
w no O u
mously nominated.
THE POOL SELLING.
The pool selling at the Imperial Hotel last
night indicated nothing mainly for the rea-
son that the New York gamblers manipu-
Iated IL. Randall started ont ahead; then
Kerr became the favOrite, and, singularly
enough, AFTER the third or fourth pool, the
field took the first choice. One exuberant and
enthusiastic believer in RandalIs success
shouted, I'm bet one Thousand dollars that
Randall Will be elected Speaker on the first
ballot A Kerr man took him aside, ex-
biOited bis greenbacks, and told him Ito put
up or shut up" The game of bluff ended
thare.
The lobby at Willard's to-day presented
the usual active scenes. 1t was jargon of
voices. Some spoke with rejecting APP
plehensive air. Others with iubilant conf
dence. Those who got full of whisky,
got mixed, of course. They endorsed any
thing and anybody, and "liquored" at the
expense of the candidates.
The real brunt OF the LATHE will be fought
TO- night. Tomorrow night all will be over.
All the influences, great and small, good and
bad, that can be used by both the candidates
Will be brought into play. Both have. I'M
doubtedly, made pledges, and will no doubt
make more.
Mr.. Kerr, 1t is claimed, received a new
accession of strength to-day from the dele
cation from Virginia. This adds three votes
10 his column. Randall to-day claims two of
the Mary land members.
This morning, Mr.. Lamar. of Mississippi,
arrived at the Ebbitt House. He will
earnestly support Randall. and is working
hard for him. Three of his colleagues will
support Kerr-that is if they get here in time.
Messrs. Hooker, Singleton and Money to-day
photographed Mr.. Kerr to endeavor, if posi-
bic, TO have the caucus postponed from Sat
urday until Monday next. They have
missed a connection en- route to this city.
The Virginia delegation meet tonight to
caucus upon toe situation. They have
fellow telling for the candidates OF that state
who loom up for every Office. WCideburn
viii receive probably their united support
for the clerkship. He seems TO have a good
deal OF strength even outside of his own
state.
Virginia also contributes new candidate
James r. Fisher. He has been the secretary
OF the Virginia state central democratic
committee for several years.
The democratic House has about three
hundred offices, big and little, to throw as
sop to Cerberus. The candidates for each out
weigh the places ten times in numbers. The
disappointed ones will come TO their senses
when all is over. Their labor will have been
in vain. When they are walking home and
reason resumes its sway, they can contem-
plate upon the ingratitude OF republics.