, 1876-12-03
Cox, Randall's Only Com
petitor, Defeated by
Ten Votes.
Morrison and Sayler Retire
Early from the Contest.
Proposition to Appoint a Commit.
tee to Visit the Disputed
States.
Important Questions to Come Up in the
Early Hours Of the Session.

Specfa! Dispatch to The Tribune
WAsH1SGTos, D. c., Dec 2-The caucus con-
est for the Speakcrship resulted. as had been
expected, in the nomination Of Randall. The
pote, however, was closer than MIR. Randall's
friends had anticipated, and if there had been
4 full attendance OF Democratic Congressman
It Is new entirely certain that Randall would |
not have succeeded. The contest was ended on
the first ballot, within an hour after the meet
ing, Randall receiving the nomination over Cox
by 10 majority, the vote standing 73 for Randall
to G3 for Cox. There were but four candidates |
who went into the caucus-Randall Coz, Nor |
rison, and Sayler. Springer and Clymer
HAD LITTLE STRENGTH |
outside Of their imaginings, and were evidently |
never very seriously in the field.
The closcness Of this contest should be a
pretty certain indicator to Mr.. Tiden that there
are those within the ranks OF his party who
dispute his right to absolute dictatorship. 1t
has been evident from the outset that Sam
Randall was Tilden's choice. Smith, Weed,
Smith Ely, and Archibald Bliss arrived here
last evening, bringing in the views OF OF l1lden.
Those views, it was soon ascertained, were that
Randall should be Speaker. The formal and
authoritative announcement OF Illdcn's wishes
decidedly had its effect upon the chances OF tile
other candidates. A1orrison's candidacy was
perhaps
An HONEST ONE,
and not designed as a cover to further the inter-
est of Randall; but it was not so serious can
di1acy that Morrison or his friends would open
" oppose Tildcn's known wish. This was
demonstrated shortly after the caucus opened
by the withdrawing of Morrlson's name prac-
ticaly in favor Of Randall, although the last fact
yas not announced. Whether or not Morrison
from the outset WAS real competitor With RAN
dali for the place may possibly never be known.
The result, however, helps to confirm the theory
that Morrison was simply working from the be-
rinnipg for Randall, in Tilden's interest. Nor
rison could not have been ignorant OF Tilden's
views Us he himself stopped some time IN New
York, and
HAD CONFERESCE WITH HIN.
1t was very evident that Mr.. Morrison, as q
leader Of the Rousc, did not propose to place
himself in very sharp antagonism with I1lden,
as the national leader OF his party. Such sub
scryicnry WAS not, however, manifested by Mr..
Sayler and his friends. The latter, since 1t be-
came evident that Randall was 1ildens
choice. have taken the position
that Saylcr would be elected
unless be was, as one Of them put 1t, "bull-
dozcd ~ by New York. That event has hap
pened, The master hand which manipulated
the St. Louis Convention managed the caucus
tonight
OHIO HAS BEEN DEFEATED
here as Ohio was at st. Louis, and Mr., Cox, who
is but q carpet-bagger from Ohio In New YORK,
has shared the fate Of his comrades IN bis or1g-
nal State. He refused to surrender either TO
Tildcn or Randall, fought hiscontcst to the end,
finally secured Sayler's strength by the with
drayal of the latter in his favor, but he lost By
ten votes He has been punished for lis origl-
nal opposition to Tilden, and Tor bis friendship
foa John Kelly.
There is little concealmept OF Tilden's pur-
| poses in the appointment Of Randall as Speak
| er. This mandate is more IN harmony with the
| Potter revolutionary letter than anything that
| has occurred since the election. 1t seems to
| show tbat the House Of Representatives Is to be
| enjoined to
| MAKE T1LDEN PRESIDENT.
That is it,. first duty. To this end there was
| needed in the Speakers chair clear head,
knowledge of the rules, skill in applying them'
a 1csolute will, courage, stubbornness, and the
| rayel to enforce them. These qualities are
| found in Rancal1 more than in any other can
! djdate He has as good knowledge OF the
rules as Cox, and is as strongly partisan, and
has more dogged courage and physical stfeng1n'
| Randall will be found to be
| SITTING BULL
/ in the Speakers chair.
/ Mr.. Say1er was too conservative tor T1den's
nnrnose, Morrison had not the necessary
knowledge of the theory Of the rules, nor thf
experience in applying them, nor the physical
strength to enforce them if lie had the will te
be Mr. Tilden's spcaking-trumpetcr
now IT WAS DONE.
The formal proceedings Of the caucus wer'
+hase. Lamar called the caucus to order and
stated its object Holman moved to proceed
tn the election Of Speaker by ballot in th'
i ordinary way. Carried. Vance, Of Ohio, wa
;: anno;nted Secretary. Before the nomination
Morrison Withdrew his name, stating that b
had announced himself as candidate recently
with the idea that he might serve his party an'
country, but it appeared that gentlemen presen
entertained different views. He knew ther
were many who would be pleased to vot
for him. but who would be competle'
IN vote against him. On this accoun
he wished to avoid subjccting them to this un
n]easant duty He said he was the only one Q
the candidates proposed who had fought agalns
| the South. and, as he understood that man
Southern men would vote against him, he tearc
that the impression would 60 abroad that Tue
voted against him because he fought them !
the Union army. Believing, therefore, that nj
candidacy would not be beneficial to bis part
or country, he withdrew
MORRISON WAS SERIOUSLY IN ERROR
| in his history, for Sam Randall also served LOT
time in the Union army.
Clymer then nominated Randall, aud bannip
sayler. sayler then stated that he had bee
already highly honored by his party. Tue pres
ent complications were such that he -considere
it his duty to yield to the judgment OF tae me
;ority, and enable his party to act in entlr
harmony. Scott Lord then nominated 90,
Lord said he presumed it was unnecessary
remind members that Cox had held service 81,
teen years in that party, and in tempest and
peace had always held close to the line o1 u
Democratic faith.
The Chairman Of the Caucus then announce
TINT thercwcre TWO candidates in the field. lh
vote, on being announced, showed - 1or RAJ
dal) and 63 l. Cox. Lord moved thai II
made unanimous. Carried. 4 committee
| -. nn. ornainte1 consisting Of Blackburn