New-York tribune., 1879-03-13
THE sPEAKERsHIP CAMPAIGN.


MUCH DISCUSSION OF CANDIDATES AT THE BARS
SECRET WORK WITH CoNGREssMES-RANDAlh-
STILL AHEAD
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNEi
WASHINGTON. March 12.-They say the campaign
for the Speakership fairly opened to-day, and IL Is
true that the obbies of the hotels in which the TWO
leading candidates have their headquarters have
been thronged with men who stand around I'D
knots. smoke cigars and talk about the Impending
contest. Now aud then some one OF group pro-
poses that 1--WE take something" and then there Is
a movement toward the bar, where, with their ell
bows resting on the counter as they raise their
glasses to admire the color of the liquor ,these
would-be statesmen " blow" for their favortes
These crowds of ofice-seekers, lounglng about
the hotels are the outward signs that the Speaker
ship pot is boiling but they do not elect Inc
serious work is not done in such public places. In
private rooms and with the utmost secrecy the plans
are lald for capturing this great Office. Members OF
Congress are alone. Their wishes IN regard I'd
committee appointments are ascertained. Promises
are made and lists drawn up which are kept from
the public eve with the most jealous care.
The estimates that are given out at the respective
headquarters are of course, exaRgeralons prepared
for the purpose of keeping up the spirits OF dolDt-
full followers and attracting recruits. The only
way of forming an ntellg gent Judgment OF tie pro-
gress of the fight is by watching the drht
of opinion among the old members OF the
House. for they unquestionably will decide the
matter. 1t is understood that If Mr.. Randall Is
reelected the present organization oil ihe
House will remain substantially unchanged
All the Representatives., therefore, who nave
good chairmanshIps. or who are IN the
direct line of promotion and all the present officers
and employees of the House, with their friends, are
in favor of a third term for the present Speaker
These men form an exceedingly strong nucleus i'r
Mr.. Randall. and give hm decided advantage
over Mr. Blackburn ut the very start. But the
Sneaker was not able TO satisfy everybody IN coi-
structing his committees IN the last House, ana ne
mortally offended some. These men. OF whom there
are perhaps half dozen who are exceedingly ac-
tive are now op osng Mr. kandaIrs reeltcI on
and are among the mOst efficient workers l0i MI
Black burn. If to these are added the men who are
extreme and aggressive in their Bourhonlsln an
who are III favor of making no CONGO 'hons 10 N"Ith-
eru sentiment, Nj. Black burns following l. pretty
well drscrl bed 49,.
II these TWO candidates started into the contest
on canal terms, Mr. Blackburn wOuid uuqurstioha-
bly win The eXtreme men OF any party ale geher-
ally the most active. aud ID ulue cases out oI itn
they carry their point even though they are III y
minority. But sir. Randall has the advantage Oh
being already in the saddle. and OF having proven
his ability by hi, services for more than one ,er'
Ihe chaiTnen of his committees. although not al
WAYS the strongest men in he liouse, are hueht'al
from the positions they have held, ana ale ho't
elioient workers il hIs bebas. Mr. haudau seems
TO be still ahead.