The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-03-18
time seemed tothink Of any formidable op.
position to Fields. Thompson, or steuarf.

st. Patrick's day opened gloomily, and
during the morning there were no new
developments, and RandalPs supporters
declared that it WINS now impossible to bent
him, and that they were calmly waiting for
the hour 10 arrive when the caucus
would confirm their judgment. And yet.
there was not the slightest wayering on the
part OF the followers Of Black burn, nor did
their enthusiasm or their devotion to the.
gallant and eloquent son OF Kentucky in,
the slightest diminish US the night APP
preached. In fact they rather seemed to
grow more confident. When asked whether
he would win, their invariablc reply
was, Certainly; he has over eighty votes.
AS son Of Virginia remarked: Whatever
the result OF this contest may be, 1t will be.
a proud event in the life OF Blackburn, be-.
cause 1t has shown him what host OF de-
voted friends he has all over the South, and
that he has only to be true to himself to
take rank among the foremost in the land.
THE FINAL REsULT-THE CAUCUS NoMINATEs
S. J. RANDALL FOR SPEAKER.
Night came at last, aud the hall OF the
House OF Representatives blazed with light,
and many were the excited Democratic
representatives who assembled there, for
the caucus was not only 10 name Speaker.
but to decide who were to be at the head
OF committees, and thereby play important
parts in shaping the legislation OF the coun-
try. The usual preliminary speeches were
made, and Oh the very first ballot Mr.. Ran
dali was nominated. Randall received IS,
Blackburn 81, Cox 4, McMahon 3, and Nor
rison2.
Adams was then nominated by % majority
and Fields unanimously. Thompson and
Steuart were afterwards nominated; and
while crowd about the Capitol were eIatcd,
just as many were disappointed.
Blackburn is now moving to make Ran
dall's nomination unanimous. He made n
handsome speech.
No one in the caucus attracted more at
tentiou or was more cordially received than
General Joseph E. Johnston.
THE SENATE OFFICES.
So completely were people absorbed in
the contest for the speakership that they
paid but little attention to the canvass for
the offices OF the Senate. Then, it is more
difficult to ascertain how United States sen.
ators are going to vote than it is to find out
what members of city council mean to do.
Hence nobody was able to say with certain
ty who would be nominated even for Sccre-
tary or Sergeant-at-Arms. IT was generally
conceded, however, that for the first office
named Mr.. Watterson had the most votes
to commence with, but that Mr.. Burch had
great deal OF strength. The estimate as
to the votes OF other candidates differed.
The friends Of Mr.. Bright, Of Indiana,
contended that the nomination OF 4
southern Secretary would secure his
election as Sergeant-at-Arms, as the Sem
ate would not give both Offices to the same
section. The friends OF Mr.. L. Q. Washing
ton, however maintained that his support
was independent of any such consideration,
and that his election would not be affected
BY the secretaryship. The host OF appli-
cants for the other positions were as busy as
bees, and senators had no opportunity OF
being alone many minutes 1T time. One
of these, who bad come long distance on a
little money, said, in tone OF despair,
"What do they mean by putting it off until
| Thursday-do they want to starve us out
and drive us home?"
THE SENATE TO NOMINATE ITS OFFICERS
THURSDAY.
The Democratic senators met in caucus
to-day, but the committee not being ready
with their report on the Senate committees,
thew adjourned until tomorrow after the
session Of the Senate. 1t was determined
to nominate officers on Thursday. Thefol.
lowing senators were appointed commit
tee on the order of business: Thurman,
Salisbury, Whyte, Herman, Jones, Bailey,
Lamar, VOORHEES,, and Vance. The Com
mittee on Agriculture has been enlarged,
and Senator Johnston made chairman. He
is second on Foreign Relations, and also the
Railroad Committee. Senator Withcrs is
chairman Of Pensions, and second on APP
preparations.
| 4 QUORUM.
Clerk Adams will decide tomorrow that
IA is quorum, because there are two va
| cancies by death and no representatives
from California. Garfield is prepared TO
make a fight on this decision, and the Demo-
Gratis are getting ready tonight to meet him
on it. The Iowa case may also come up, and
lively day is anticipated.
General Fields has already issued enough
cards to ill the members gallery, and a
| great crowd will witness the opening pro-
ceedings of the House.
ST. PATRICK's DAY.
The rain die not prevent the parade to-day
Of Ireand's gallant sons in honor OF their
patron Saint. The procession was lengthy
one. and the various societies looked very
snowy in their handsome regalias.
Associated Press Reports by telegraph to the Dis
! patchl
DpuocR.TIC CAUCUS BALLOTS FOR SPEAKER OF
THE HOUSE.
There was much excitement ut the Capt.
toll tonight. Orders had been given to
! exclude all visitors from the passages lead
ing Immediately to the hall OF the House
! Of REPRESENTATIVES. Many persons, how
ever. gathered in the basement, while hum
dreds OF interested parties found their way
| into the old hall, but were barred by the
officers from approaching that IN when Inc
| Democratic caucus was hello.
| Mr. Randall had his headquarters IN the
| room OF the Committee on Appropriations,
and MIR. Blackburn in that OF the Co'nhlit-
tee on Ways and Means. The caucus was
called to order shortly after Z O'Clock
| r., IIo;ctor tIymnr Of PENNSYLVANIA, IN