New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-06
THE SPEAKERSHIP CONTEST.

THE SPEAKERSHIP CONTEST.
TIE DEMOCRATS NOT SURE OF \ QUORUM EVEN-
THE ASPIRANTs AND THE GREENBACKERs.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TEIBuNEl
WASHINGTON, March 5.-The Presidents prOcla-
nation calling Congress together in extra session III
two weeks. plungcs the Democrats of the House at
once into the midst of the contest for the Speaker
sbip. and causes them to look about with no little
anxiety TO ascertain whether they have an actual
majority or not.
There have been elected already 147 Democrats.
One of them, Mr.. Schleicher. has since died, and
two OF them, Mr.. Acklcn and NJ. Bland, are sick,
with little prospect ofther sufficiently recovering
10 be able to participate in the organization OF the
House The casualties as they say in tho army
will reduce the Democratic strength TO 144 or three
less than a quorum. These figures are not, to be
sure those given ont by the Democrats themselves,
but arc those contained IN THE IRBUNE Almanac,
and which are not disputed by some of the best IN
formed politicians in Washington. The highest
number Of Democratic Representatives now living
claimed by any one whose opinion is worth having
isl47 or dcductng the two sick men, 10 This
even would leave the Democrats with less than a
ouorum in a full House Of 293 members
And lust here arises a very important question
which may play an important part in the coming
ccntpst. What constitutes a QuOrum-a majority OF
REPRESENTATIVES from all the districts, or ma
ioritv of those who have been eectedI If the
former theory is accepted then the man who IS
elected Speaker must have AZ votes in order to be
ture of an election, because the minority may de-
feat him by sitting still and destroying the quorum.
If the latter theory prevails, then 40 members
make a quorum. because no election having yet
taken place in California, only $50 Representatives
have get been chosen
Speaker Grow early in the war made ruling that
seems to sustain this last theory. Nh Nallandgham
having raised the question on account OF the al
sence of Representatives from the Southern States,
Mr.. Grow said that quorum Of the House consisted
Of a majority Of the members who had been elected,
It beng a notorious fact that no Representatives
had been chosen in the Southern States. Even ac-
cepting tins as the law the Democrats will lack one
of having majority III the House the first day OF
the session. unless Messrs Acen and Bland recover,
of which there is little hope, or unless the vacancies
IN the Westchester District of New-YOrk and the
Border District of Texas are filled, which is mpOs-
sible.
This condition of affairs causes the greatest nm
easness among the Democrats; and one OF the old
est members of the House on that side expresses
the opinion to-day that there will be very sharp
struggle, and perhaps a long delay, in organizing
tho body after il meets The only way to avoid
Of few of the Greenbackers who, as the import
ance of their votes becomes manifest, will probably
be less likely to leave their own party without re-
ceiying the most substantial consideration. The
inheritance Of the question whether the Democrats
will be able to organize the next House at all or not,
and the intense interest that is felt in it, make the
contest between rival Democratic candidates for
the SpeaLershlp seem of secondary moment.
The two principal aspIrants Speaker Randall
and Mr.. Blackburn with the chances decidedly in
favor of the former. Mr. RandalPs long service IN
fine House compared with that Of his chief com
petItor, tie prestige which his two terms in the
chair have given him, and the opportunities he has
had 10 place members of the last Congress under
obligations 10 him, are all i'll his favor. On the
other hand, some of his appointments and some oi
his rulings have made bitter enemies of lew on
the most influential men in his party. The balance
Is unQuestionably in his favor, and he will prob
ably be reelected. unless the regular nominee Of
the Democratic party is beaten.
The quiet and determined attitude Of the Green
hackers and Nationals who are preparing to nomi-
nate and support a candidate of their own for the
Speakcrship adds to the Democratic pcrpleXtv.
The GreeDbackcIs claim to have twentY-one men
pledged TO enter the caucus with them; and TINS
number if they hold together, Will be sufficient 10
make the election of any other than compromise
candidate impossible.
The Republicans number 12S members of the
House. and so far as can be foreseen VIII be abe TO
bring out their full vote the first day of the session.
These with the u GTeenbaC kcrS, VIII make tolal
Of $40 members majority of full House. VINO,
either by combining upon candidate III opposition
90 the one placed in nomination by the l)cmocI3,s
CT by rcfrainng from voting. can make IT possible
to prevent M organization until concessions sails
factory to one or both of the two parties are MADE
Considerable speculation IL INDUCED Ill here TO-
81 hp he
regard to the organization of the next House, but
as affecting the future OF the Democratic p4rtN'
sbonId the Nationals persuade Mr.. Bright. of Ten
nessre TO enter their caucus and become thelI
nominee for the Spcakcrsmp. Mr.. Bright IS pro
bounced soft-mOney Democrat. lie has already
served four terms in Congress, Is a man OF ac-
knowledged ability and representative naive
born Southern gentleman. Should such a step be
taken by the Nationals and should it result III the
election Of MT Bright IL might 20 artowaTd break
ing M the solid South on present political ISSUES,
and would utterly demOralze the Democratic party;
while il would bring again to the front rs National
issues in $50 the questions of imitation or C0htrac-
ton hard or soft money, grccnbacks or gold