The New York herald., 1879-01-04
Getting Ready at the
New Capitol
WHO WILL BE SPEAKER ?
Possibility Of a Triangular Fight and
a New Candidate.
A STATESMAN SNOWBOUND.

ShlpSlape appearance
noon, at which the Legislature assemblies to in
augurate the session of 1879. OF course there was
never an expectation of being fully finished for the
opening of the approaching session; but it will
REQUIRE good hard labor to have the tenn
porary accommodations in order by that time.
and were it not for the energy Of the persons en-
gagged in pushing forward the work one might fear
that it would be failure. There now only three
whole working days left for the task and the mind is
confused at beholding the unpackng of furniture.
the laying down Of carpets. the touching up of orna-
mentation the hanging Of doors, the putting up of
gas fixtures, the building of saircases and hundred
other things going all around while the members
are already arriving and the preparations for the
grand reception of 1000 guests at the Tuesday even
ing powwow are being made.
A SPLENDID BUILDING.
Although the new Capitol will not be seen in full
perfection this winter everybody pronounces it .
splendid building, and the Albanians prouder
than ever-which is saying great deal-at the dis
tnction is certain to for their CITY, Senator
Hamilton Harris, who has been the most perseverng
and faithful friend Of the Capitol from the first
suggestion of it's erection down to the present
moment, is the head and front of the prep
arations for the opening, and his fellow
citizens will accord him the credit if it be made
a success The Senator promises that everything
shall be in readiness at the proper time; and it is
due to him. after the assaults made upon him in the
past to accord to him praise for the energy. judg
ment and good taste which have given the State
convenient and handsome building. 1t is thought
here unlikely that Senator Harris be the first
Governor elected after the completion of the new
Capitol if the republican party should carry the State
next autumn The arrangements for the reception
on Tuesday evening next have been M ny
dent the Cabinet Senator Conkling and other distin
guishcd persons have been sent out under his direc-
tions.
WHO WILL BE SPEAKER
The main political interest at the present moment
centres on the point Of the Speakership of the As
sembly Everybody one meets is asking "Who will
be Speaker p And it is evident that the prize Is
eagerly coveted from the fact that the three ex-
making unusually active and even bitter con-
test to secure it. According to the most reliable
information it is possible to securenamely that of
the parties in interest themselves-the question is
already settled iii advance of the meeting of the
Legislature But then it is settled in three different
ways and this makes the matter somewhat embar-
RAISING outsiders. Mr. Alvord announces that his
antagonists may as well cease making fools OF them
is already good as seated in the Speakers chair.
Mr.. Conkling and his friends he declares have finally
settled the matter by directing all their followers to
support poor Old Salt who with hat in hand begs
for the honor of being the first presiding officer in
the Assembly chamber, after which he will die
happy, with his cup of ambition filled to the
brim. MIR. Sloan who plays the extreme
honesty game gives the ,.ss assurance that n, his
remarkable people, the better class OF republicans
having pronounced in his favor. While making this
the better class Of republicans we'll 'the good
niggers' supposed to so when they have 'laid
down the shovel and the hoe" of life, and heaves
solemn sigh Of relief ut the happy thought that tho
new Capitol WILL in its first session. be free from tho
nn % % OF tbs
q merry twinkle to his eyes and comical twist to his
mouth, and says the boys will see when the Speaker
ship caucus is held that be is neither out of the
field doubtful candidate, as his ascertained
strength is enough to send Sloan up the Oswcgo
Canal aud to drive Avord into the salt point receiv
era WI therefore.
as now understood insures the election Of all three
of the active candid.te: and is likely to give the As
of the presiding officers of the double-hcaded
Democratic Convention at Syracuse in 1860 it would
being one of trple-headed Speakership in 1879.
ALvoRD's ACTUAL CHANCES.
II is certain, however that at the present time
Alvord stands better chance of election than either
of his avowed competitors Hustled or Sloan. The
explanation OF this is that the New YORK leaders are
determined to defeat Sloan. and Avord cuts into
Sloan's strength while Hustled does not. it seems
probable that New York and Kings may concentrate
Alvord to prevent Sloan 8 success. This is not
matter of choice, but it may prove to be matter of
necessity. 1t is said not to be true announced by
Alvord and his friends, that the programme has al
ready been agreed upon, and comprises the with
drawal of Hustled in Avords favor and the election
of the latter. At the same time. this course
may in the end be adopted. Nevertheless.
. determined fight is made against Al
vord and the brightness of his prospects
only serves to make the opposition more bitter and
may lead to some very plain and unpleasant talk.
Mr.. Avord's Legislative record will be criticised some
vince the new members that the republican party
cannot now afford place him in the Speakers chair
But then Avord is jovial rollicking old fellow, who
il just benevolent and sociable with "better
class republican with professional lobbyist,
and he has consequently hosts of friends in all three
Houses Of the State Legislature. There is doubt
that, If defeated as Speaker of the Assembly.
he could be triumphantly elected to the
same dignity in the Third House. II there should
be- no other hope Of defeating sloan and if the con.
test should be limited to the three exSpeakers vor
will be likely to carry of the prize; for although
there is good authority for stating that Hustled is
still the field, there is doubt that his relations
with the New York leaders are such as to render it
certain that he would withdraw at their request
should Sloan's chances become threatening.
SLOAN Do2
Mr. Sloan, while decidedly strong candidate, has
not strength enough 10 elect him. he is no doubt
n very worthy man; but then men who
all the time displaying their honesty in their
button hole, like a blue ribbon, seldom popular
The better class of republicans may be admira-
BILE element in the organization. but it is not usually
a predomnating one. Besides the Legislature of
1877 over which Mr.. Sloan presided just about
loose aud rotten OF it's predecessors and he
did not then display force enough to make headway
against the lobby which took control of the chamber
quite easily as it would have done If "Od salt"
had been in the chair The fact is, however. that
so his merits need not be discussed. He
may, nevertheless, use his strength to make
. Speaker: and all things considered IL is
not impossible and indeed not very improbable. that
in the end all three of the old candidates who have
been working In the canvass may pe lea PACK TO their
Speaker platform. Sloan has positive and cffec-
tive strength for such movement and il he and his
friends sincere In deprecatng the election OF Al
word one discrcditable and harmful TO the party
they ought certainly to be ready make the attempt
20 prevent such mistake Hustled, IL he remains in
the field, will hold fair vote, although not enough
70 make his election probable. close calculation
by wcllposted republican politician distributes tho
ninety republican votes the first ballot, IL
Hustcd should remain in the field, as foows:-
For Avord. ...................... Al
For sloan ........................ 80
WILL THERE DE NEW CANDIDATE?
Now, some of those who have promised to vote for
Alvord on the first ballot would very gladly leave
him afterward If there should be fair prospect of
electing a member to the Speakerslip. 1t Is
alleged that Old Salt would, through these persons.
lose ten votes while Sloans friends all known to
be for sloan first and against Avord all the while.
Should Sloan withdraw I'm favor of new man the
chances are that all his thirty four votes would go
for the new candidate, and IL ten Of Alvords
votes went the way IL would need