New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-02
WASHINGTON.
THE SPEAKERSHIP.


EVERY CONGRESSMAN PLEDGED As FAST As HE
.pp1vrs-JouN MoRRIssEY OFFERS TO BET
$4,000 on MR.. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CON
FIDENT OF SUCCESS.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIDUSEl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The canvass for the speaker
ship has increased in intensity and bitterness wh'h
the past day OF two And if it continues III the same
ratio there is no telling where it will END oy INC
time the Democratic caucus assemblies on SATURDAY
next. Messrs. Randall, Kerr, aud Cox continue 10
hold the field, and no other candidates are men
toned. Ii there any change during the pas. WV
DAYS il is in favor of Mr. Cox The city IS fast ming
with peope and the hotel vestibules fuller than
NJ onv time for years. Each candidate has his
workers and money is so free that nobody cOuId
sunpose that the country is suffering from hard
fines The candidates themselves are now Keeping
ouiet and STAYING at home, but their friends watch
the incoming Of every train, and no one arriving IL
allowed TO rest until he is committed. Mr. Kerr
HEADQUARTERS are at Wiari's, while Mr.. Randall
remains at his house Capitol HILL HIS friends
however have overrun the hotel, and 1t no longer is
controlled by the Kerr party.
Tho three candidates are all confident of IN cleo
ton and Of course underTate the strength OF their
ouponents. Mr.. Randall's nearest friends say that
he has from 10 TO 10 more votes than MI Kerr, ana
about double the strength of Mr. Cox. They say
IL 7
of Mr. Kerr do not get far in their calculations as
TO name any figures, but confne themselves to the
assertion that their candidate is of election
From careful estimates and free conference with all
parties il seems reasonable to calculate that Mr.
Cox has the balance of power and that neither OF
his opponents can be elected without ms ana.
Whether he can control his friends to the degree OF
turning them over to whom he plcascs Is somewhat
doubtful. The fact is that Mr. Kerrs poor health,
which has been the source of great anxiety TO him.
self and friends for several years. is losing Inn many
votes as il is feared he will be unable to perform the
arduous duties of Speaker if elected.
John MouiSsey is here with few helpers and rs
conducting the most vigorous fight against Mr.. Kerr
lie says Mr.. Kerr is the representative of Tammany;
that his candidacy is attempt to engraft the in
fanny of that organization on the national politics.
and that he Will never permit it to be done If he can
helplt He'says that Tammany men and 1ammany
money are here and il would be a disgrace to the
party and country to elect Speaker supported by
that institution. While not liking MIR. Randall, lie
saws that that gentleman will be elected and he
offers to lay a wager of $4,000 that he will be
nominated on the first ballot His dash and brag
and bluff are without doubt, having some effect on
the timid, who want to be on the winning side. No
indication can be given of the chances of candidates
for subordinate Offices as the selection will depend
largely on tDe strength vi Coubihdbloho anu 'iN
choice of Speaker. A. d. Banks of Mississippi for
Clerk John G. Thompson of Ohio for Sergeant-at-
Arms and Gen. Horace Boughton of Texas for Post
master seem to have the advantage thus far.
SALE OF POOLS On THE sPEAKERsHIP
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCH.l
WAsuINGToN Dec. AT the Imperial Hotel
tonight there was crowd to witness the selling OF
pools speakershp The highest price bid fer pools
was $50 The betting ran most curiOusly. Randall
stared Off the first choice, betting even for MN
against the field Kerr was then sold Tor 500
ns first choice against the field, and finally the
field sold for $780, with only $40 hid for first choice
The pooseng is TO continue during the remainder OF
the week and the candidates for Clerk Sergeant
and Doorkeeper will also come into the scramble here
after Representative Cox, who was left out by the
booksellers is also in the field and has, 40 far rs
known fifty commence with, or enough to turn
the scale for either OF the other competitors for the
kpeakership Tomorrow Messrs. Randall, Kerr, and Cox
will meet to select the officers of the caucus and to make
other necessary for the meeting next Sat
urlau