New-York tribune., 1879-03-18
THE DEFEAT OF BLACKBURN.

A
CONSERVATIVE ELEMENT IN THE PARIf-IhE
PROCEEDINGS AND SPEECHES.
WASHINGTON, March ia victory for MI Kan
dali in the Democratic caucus tonight closed the
most closely contested struggle for the speaker
shin of the House of Representatives that has oc-
curred in the last ten years and IS triumph OF
the more discreet and conservative portion OIL the
partv. which, for the next two years, Will control
tbe legislative branch of the Government
over tho aggressive Bourbon element. The
contest has been short one, and, for the
lost dav or two, rather exciting. because
- hos heen closed and because neither OF the Lead
inc candidates felt that he could count upon an alb
sonte majority of the caucus pledged to his sup
port.
The gathering of interested people at the Capitol
this evening very large one, but great was
the surprise and disappointment when 1T was
found that Mr. Clymer, the chairman of the caucus
had issued an order that Lo one except
members of the House of Representatives should be
admitted TO the Capitol building. Subsequently
tbe order was modified by allowing the basement
doors TO be thrown open; but men were stationed
at the stairways to prevent the crowd from
going into the main story. Correspondents ana
few others were admitted by ono of the private
stairways and the corridors about the hall OF the
house were thus free from the crowds that always
throng them on such occasions.
Mr. Randall established his headquarters in the
room of the Committee ON Appropriations and Mr.
Blackburn in the adjoining room of the Committee
of WAYS and Means. Here, each surrounded
by his friends awaited the result OF
the caucus. Mr. Randall showed more signs of
anxiety than his chief competitor, and even when
the result Of the ballot was announced seemed to
doubt that he had received enough votes
10 insure his election. Mr.. Blackburn pre-
served his selfpossession remarkably and
although he was unquestionably anxious
about the outcome of the contest, he at no
time allowed his anxiety to rufe his temper, or to
make him any the less tho cOmpanionable whole
sonled fellow that he always is. The friends who
surrounded Mr.. Randall chiefly from the North.
A few we're from Georgia and other Southern
States Mr. Blackburns adherents were from the
South and embraced large majority of those
bright young men from that section of the coGntry
who rallied about their Kentucky leader from The
start and who have done the greater part of the
hard work in his behalf
Mr. Clymer presided in the caucus. There were
present 14l Democratic Representatives. This
Is not a majority of the House, but
the Democratic leaders assert that enough
other members are accounted for to ensure
the prompt ratification of the action
of the caucus by the House tomorrow. Mr.. OReil-
w. of Brooklyn, is not In Washington, and Hen
drIck b. Wright of Pennsylvania, was not in the
caucus. The Nationals claim him, probably with
good reason.
One of the first questions raised in the caucus was
in regard TO the manner of vOting-the friends OF
Nr. Blackburn believing that If each mcnOer
were required to announce his preference
viva yoce, they would hold some men
who otherwise would secretly vote for MI
Randall. They were beaten, and this was
interpreted by the cooler-neaded Blackburn men
as an omInOus sign. Some of the more eX-
citable of them went so far as to declare that
many Southern men had been bought up, and that
they would not have dared TO deliver their votes for
Mr. Randall if they had been required to do 1t
publicly.
This matter having been settled the nomi-
nation of candidates for the Speakership was
at once proceeded with Mr. Whitthome,
of Tennessee nominated MIR. Randall. making a
brief speech as he did so. Mr.. Cooke, of Georgia,
seconded the nomination General Thomas Ewing,
Of Ohio, presented the name of Mr.. Blackburn and
General Hooker of Mississippi seconded 1t. ;. 5.
Cox was also nominated.
The balloting at once began. 1t took about twenty
minutes to call the roll, and during this time the
special friends of each candidate visited the head
quarters and reported progress. Mr.. Abram ;.
Hewitt of New-York was especially active in Mr..
Randalps behalf. Reports were made TO Mr. Black
burn by Mr. Harris of Virginia, and Others. None OF
these reports were Of definite character until the
list of names was nearly called through. Then Nh
Morrison, Of Illinois, and Mr.. Mills, OF Texas, went
to Mr.. Blackburn's headquarters, and after Wills
pcred consultation with their candidate, sald IN
reply 10 questions from Others that MI Randall had
too many votes to be beaten.
A few minutes later there was a loud shout in the
hall of the House followed by three cheers, and SIM
ultaneously the result of the ballot was announced
in the lobbies as follows: Mr.. Randall, 75 votes;
Mr. Blackburn, 5s; Mr.. Mcmahon, 3 i; Mr. Cox, 4;
ard Mr.. Morrison votes
Mr. Blackburn was Immediately sent for. En-
tering ihe caucus he made a brief speech In which
be couBseled harmony III the party. lie SAID:
Mr. Clarman-It is not in my power 10 express 10
the gentlemen who supported me IN TINS contest lhe
sentiments OF appreciation in which hoId ttls oVi
0ence Of their partial friendship l VIII IA can
dor say that mad hoped that 1t might be
Tie pleasure of this House to have imposed the rcspOn
Siblities and duties OF its Speakership upon one
thed for felt assured that had TINS Deeh us acton e
result would proven to the people OF this country
that the South deserves, not its misrust, but might
safely charged with the formation Of IT'S committees
and the shaping of the legislation OF the land -
Had been &c ected for this service il would have
been my duty-it certainly would nave Oeeh my lhea
sure-to WELD the great powers that pertain 10 TINS
station IN such way put all sections and factions
behind me- aud promote the general lnterests Oh CON-
nor country IN bich its citizens should hold equal nights
and 10 which each citizen should yield common al
legiance / would have endeaVOred TO prove 20 tnese
generous friends from the North who nave sOOd ny ue
10 this contest that their confidence was not misplaced
for / would have earnestly endeayOfeu 10 pufy tno
melancholy memories OF troubled past In those
martyTed heroes who gave their lVes 10 ts sUukgcs
are to-day resting. am party man. ,..
am partisan, not for the sake OF party DdI pc
honestly believe the best interests OF my country
are 10 be subscrved by the triumph Of partys prin
epes have this 10 say: The edict this caucus Is TO
be final and conclusive. and II there DE one among the
Aftyseven gentlemen whose partial friendship has given
appeal make the verdict Of tins caucus enectVe Wneh
tOmorrow's roll is called. ,.,
nnu vau hat he