New-York tribune., 1881-12-04
THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.
GENERAL j. W. KE1FER OF OHIO NOMINATED.

FIFTEEN UNSUCCESSFUL BALLOTS IN THE REPUBL1-
CAN CAUCUs-A NOMINATION. on THE SIXTEENTH
-REPORrED CAUSE OF MR.. HIsCOCK's DEFEAT
MIR. MCPHERSON NOMINATED FOR CLERK.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-Next Monday Joseph War
rem Keifer, of Ohio, will be elected Speaker Of the
House of Representatives Until yesterday morn
ing 1t dld not appear probable that such would be
the ultimate result of the canvass for the Speaker
ship then in progress; but yesterday at midnight
the probabilities appeared to be strongly in its
favor. and when the Republican caucus assembled
at noon to-day, and the first ballot was taken, there
was not much reason for General Kefers friends to
doubt that he would receive the nomination.
On that ballot his was 90, that of Mr.. Hiscock H.
that Of Mr.. KassOn 10, while the remaining 80 were
divided between Messrs. Reed, Burrows, Orth and
Dunnel. On the I'd ballot General Keifer gained
three votes, and Mr.. Hscock lost the same number.
On the 9Th ballot General Kefcr received 90 votes,
on the 7th 81. the 18th 81, and on the 10th 01,
which exceeded by II the number of votes neces-
sary to a choice. Mr.. HiscOck's varied from 80 to
40. After the 1st ballot, until the 18th had been
TAKEN when convinced that General Kefer was
the second choice of large majority Of the caucus,
and after consulting that gentleman, Mr. HiscOck
signihed to such of his friends as ne could cOmmu-
nicate with his desire that they should cast their
votes lOI OuO H. t'5ull, OF COuIScJ
was General Kcifers immediate nomination.
Mr.. Kasson's highest vote was 20 on the 4th bal
lot it reccdcd to on the 18th ballot and fell to
10 on the 10th and last ballot.
Until Mr. Hscocll gave the word, after the 18th
ballot had been TAKEN the New-York delegation
stood firmly by him. thus giving the lie to the often
repeated assertion that several Of the NewYork Re-
publican members had determined at Mr.. Conkng's
instigatiOn TO act n treacherOus part. All except
two of the Pennsylvania Representatives surrcn-
dered their preferences at the behest OF Senator
Cameron, and obcdicntly voted according to his
orders for General Kcifer. The two exceptions
were Mcssrs Bayne and Godshalk. Mr.
Baync refused TO attend the Pennsylvania
caucus this morning Mr. GOdshalk put In
an appearance, but, upon being informed that the
unit rule was to be adopted, he Immediately with
drew refusing to be bound by il, and declaring that
he would vote according to the dictates of his own
iudnncnt and preferences. Until the 10th bal
lot the three supporters Of Mr.. Dunnell and the
eight followers of Mr.. Orth stood firmly by them.
After the 10th ballot the supporters Of Mr..
Burrows with his approval, went over to General
Kcifcr.
OF course. the sudden and unexpected detection
OF tho Pcnnsylyanians upset all previous calcuIa-
tions. and caused Mr.. Hiscock's defeat. The
friends Of that gentlemen say that this de-
frction WAS caused by Stalwart influences,
inspired by ex-Seuators Conking and Platt,
and by an impression among Congressman
that President Arthur desired Mr. HiscOck5 de-
feat. All the expressions of the President to Mr.
Hiscocks friends were non-committal, coupled with
assurances that ne should neither favor oppose
auyraudidatc: but reports are IN circulation, and
by some OF Mr. llscock's friends believed that Con-
grr,gmcn who were personally anxious TO ascertain
the wishes OF the President before deciding which
candidate to support referred to Senator Cam
rron OF ppnusylvHuia. Respecting tho dcs1e ana
determination Of that gentleman 10 defeat NI His
cock. In order 10 crafty the revenge of Messrs.
Couklinp and Platt, nobody in Washington appears
10 entertain doubt.
Until very recently Mr.. Cameron was supposed 70
be friendly 10 Mr. IliscOcks candidacy. and some of
the pledges of support given to that gentleman by
Pcuusylvau1 members wcrc rendered after consul
tation with Mr.. Cameron and with his approval.
He returned to Washington Thursday aitern on
with his views entirely changed, aud at once set
about to compass SIR. HiscoclSs defeat. There was
much dssa fisfaction among the Pennsylvania Repre-
scntatiycs, who were thus suddenly ordered, as one
Of them said. TO eat their own Words and to
violate their solemn pledges, given with Mr. Came
ron's knowledge and approval. II ia understood
that PROMISES prevailed with some, while threats of
nolitical ruin were necessary 10 convince Others
that General Kcifcr and not Mr.. liscock should he
nominated While the truth comprls that these
statements should bo made, there ~ no
reason TO infer that they reflect uniaNorably
upon the nominee OF the caucus, who was from the
beginning the first choice of respectable number Oh
the Incmbcrs-clcct and was warmly supported by
them for the nomination which he has received.
No feeling of dissatisfaction regarding him marTed
the harmony of the caucus, during which, II Is de-
clarcd on AL hands, the utmost good feeling pre-
vailed while the result IL heartily acqucsced m By
the unsucccssiu candidates and their supporters,
ms well "a by other Republicans nj Washington.
As soon as the result of the sixteenth ballot was
announced Mr His,ock moved that General heiers
norina ion he made unanimous which was I'M
mediltcly done and the Chair appointed MeSsrS'
Uiscncl Reed and Kasson a committee to INFORM
him OF the caucus action. Representative helter,
who had Withdrawn from the hall during the pro-
gress OF the last ballot rccntcrcd 1t with the
committee and was greeted with long continued
applausc.i
General Kcifer is regarded as man of great
energy, Of excellent ability, and OF h0ncst ana
pa rlotc instincts, and man VINO IS tnolouBuy uf-
voted To the doctrines and principles on the hcpup-
lcau partV which has cOnidcd 80 hlgh lfuaI lo
his keeping. lie first entered Congress IN 1871 MS
only legislative experience previous TO that tlhle
having been acquired during single term WhIlcn
ho served in the Ohio Senate. The caucus to-udy
contained lI6 members one less than q majority OF
n full House John -. White, Republican, of Ken
tucky, did not reach Washington on tlho 10 par
ticipatc IN the proceedings RcpresehtatlNo D.
IIvatt Smith of New-Yorll was present. thus set
ting ut rest all doubts M to how ne VIII Totc'
Following is a detailed report Of the sixteen pal
lots:
: