The New York herald., 1875-12-02
RANDALLS CHANCES STRENGTHENING
The Past Record of the Candidates
Critically Scrutinized.
RANDALL'S MAJORITY ON FIRST BALLOT.
Curious War Gossip in the Hotel LObbieS
and BarrOOmS.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.


WASHINGTON Dec l, 1875
There is continued excitement might the
test for the Speakershp, and the hotel obbies are
packed with the friends of the rival candidates An
attempt at pool selling was made in the Imperial
Hotel this evening" but the result was unsatisfactory
as advertisement Of the sale had been pub
ished In the first pool Randall sold at 25 20 for Kerr
in the second Randall stood 25 Kerr IL and the field
s; in the third pool the held brought s and Randall
10 Advertisements for continued sales will appear in
the daily papers tomorrow and business will begin
two O'Clock r. M.
II turned out that the zzle in the pool selling
due in great part to objections raised by the candidates
themselves, whose friends advised them discourage
what the public could not bat regard gambling
dignhed matter the choice for Speakershp
OF the United States House OF Representa-
tives. Whether 1t was in good taste or
not John Morrissoy, who took offence at the boasting
ofa group of Kerrs friends among them brought
out the of $40 900 in notes and offered the
ten crisp bills even that Randall would be nominated
on the first ballot The wager publicly
offered early In the evening in the lobby
at Wizards Hotel but found no taker, and the fact
made OF at once to base a complaint on the
part of the Kerr that they be oversaughed
by the greenbacks of Randas friends This
quickly refuted, however, when it was discovered
that delegation Of New Workers. representing
Tammany Hall, Tilden and Company, and headed by
Alderman Purroy using their influence in behalf
Of Kerr; not, 1t is admitted, with the sanction or
wishes OF the latter who has obsnatey refus ed to
make of any moneyed aid in helping the for
himself but to assist the uterior plans of
Tammany to prevent the speakership from coming
further than Indiana and weakening the claims of
New York to the Presidential candidacy. 1t also trans
pred that number OF agents of the Free Trade League
were on hand using money against Randall, their op-
position being excited by the exploded charge that he
was protectionist. But the enmty of these
parties met by free circulation OF the answer
which Randall gave his questoners the Erie Convex
tion months ago. when in reply the charge that
elected Speaker he would make the committees high
tariff he said =
''Wnat absurdity These people know very well
that If am elected Speaker shall constitute the
mttees to represent the majority of the House He is
the servant of the majority and must act up TO
this fact without the slightest deviation and If
elected Speaker and find that majority OF my party
Congress tor free trade shall unhestatngly recog
nize the fact in the appointment of the committees
The rule shall govern In the matter of the
currency"
The chances of Randall strengthening every hour
His friends claim eight of the New York delegation or
than they had last night The most important
new feature In his position is the action Of the
Pennsylvania delegation, who met .o-day and
decided support him unanimously. Only two of the
delegation were absent and they known to be his
warm friends. At least six Congressman who
heretofore in doubt have signined their willing
ness to-day to GO for him, that while there is no
doubt that he has at present a majority of the
caucus il ID quite probable he will get
not far from hundred votes the first
HIS 10 in fha
weakening of his opponents forces Thus the Michi
gan delegation reported, very good authority
have decided to drop Kerr and the Missouri delegation
originally strong Cox will hardly give the latter
than their FIRST complimentary vote
strong point made against Kerr to-day in citing
his in the thirty ninth Congress- when he voted
himself back pay TOR sixteen months in the general
crease Of salary from $4,000 S. oOO authorized at
that session. and that nearly three months
elapsed after the hue and cry was started
about the back pay grab IN 1878 before
he covered the money into the Treasury The neon
sistency which he has shown in his record in this
respect we'll his imitation Of the currency
as expressed few years ago Congress- lost Kerr
host of supporters who believed in him when they
left home bat have changed their minds since these
matters we're made known To them here in Washing
ton.
THE oUrDNUNos SAY ABOUT THE SPANISH
QUESTION AND THE wHIsKEY RING.
The ever gosspy atmosphere of Washington is to-
night full of rumors of war, not merely between the
United States and Spain on the subject
OF Cuba, but between President Grant
on the one hand and Secretary Fish
the other, alleged menace to Spain in tho
Presidents Message and again between the President
and Secretary Brstow over the unfriendly
conduct and alleged malevolence OF the latter
in hunting the whskey frauds home to Bab-
cock and the White House This general
misunderstanding is said TO be further complicated by
demand the part Of Secretary Fish that the Pres
dent shall get rid OF Babcock and purge the White
House OF all Of scandal With this de-
mand Mr.. Fish ls said-it is rumor II will
be noted--to have rendered his resignation
be accepted by the President, should the latter
fuse alter his policy in the matters specified In
quiry OF the persons whose freely
handled in this way by the crowds in the hotel
Hobbies and barrooms elected fat and unequvocal
denial OF each and every report alluded TO- and which
are reiterated this column because OF the widespread
energy with which they circulated all over the
streets OF Washington tonight
APPOINTMENT or CHIEF CLERK AvERYs Sue
CRsSoB.
Now that Avery's trial is the Secretary OF tho
Treasury has decided I'll the chief clcrkship which
he agreed TO keep open for Avery should tho latter
prove his innocence He has accordingly appointed A
e. Wilson, OF Indiana, graduate OF Harvard Unver-
sty and formerly partner OF Secretary Bristow at
Louisville, in the law firm Of Brstow, Harlan Wilson
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
>
WASHINGTON, Dec. l. 1875.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF
STEAM KNGINKERrNG-REPA1Rs TO VESSELS