The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-02
FROM WASHINGTON.
seventeen Contested seats to Come up Before
the Isousc--The spcakersbip-Hensc Posi-

lions.
There will be seventeen contested-election
cases in the House OF Representatives, OF
which no less than fifteen come from the
South. OF these all but two are contests
OF straightout Republicans against Demo
Gratis. The first exception, which Is, aitcr
all, distinction without difference, Is
from the Fifth district OF Virginia, where
stovall (Reiftliustcr) contests the seat oil
Cabell (Democrat). The other is from
the Eighth Alabama district where
Lowe (Greenbacker) contests the seat
of Wheeler (Democran. Mr.. Lowe, VINO
was a member of the last Congress- was,
however. generally rated as Democrat on
political divisions. The two contests out
side OF the South are from the sixth Iowa
and the First Maine districts. a Green
hacker Il contesting from Iowa ana De
mocrat from Maine. From all the accounts
il is believed that the facts in favor oil the
contest from these two districts are very
strong: but AZ the members returned elect
ed are both Republicans it will be very SAFE
TO assume that they will not be disturbed.
Mr.. Reed, who is returned rs elected from
the First Maine district, Is candidate for
Speaker, but there is not mach proDa-
bility that he will be elected to that posi-
ton. His majority, or alleged majority,
over the contestant is only III. SO far as
the contests from the South are con-
cerned. the belief is that several OF them
will be successful. The Republican ma
iority Is so slim, at the best, that the temp
tation 10 increase il by seating RepuDllcan
contestants will doubtless be too strong 10
be resisted. There are two contests from
Virginia. four from Alabama, four IRON
South Carolina, two from Mississippi,
one from Florida, one from LOUISIANA
and one from Missouri. The contest from
the Second district Of South Carolina is
somewhat peculiar. The contest Is brought
by Mackey, Republican, against OConnor,
Democrat. Since the regular congress
sionaI election in November OF 1850
O'Connor died. 4 special election was
then held and another Democrat elected,
the Republicans, it is said, declining 10
take any part in the special election on the
ground that Machey was rightiully chosen
at the regular election. or the contestants
from the South four or five are colored
men, and it is not therefore improbable
that in the near future colored men may
again have seats in Congress. Lynch (co-
Iorcd), who contests from the sixth MisSls-
sippi district. which is familiarity known rs
the "Shoestring" district, it is thought 10y
politicians of both sides will almost GER
tainly secure the seat, rs most probably his
case is stronger than any OF the others.
THE sPEAKERsHIP.
The air is filed with rumors concerning
the speakeTship, and the only confident
men now i'm the field are KaSson's hackers.
Vbnv claim that their candidates chances
are Frightening every hour. The Keller
men are less sanguinc than last night. y
feeling OF dissatisfaction has appeared in
the Chic camp, and several Ohio Rcpubh-
can members openly stated to-day that
they could not realize that the Speakers
toga would fall upon General Keiier's
shoulders. A strong belief is entertained
that the friends of the Administration are
not lending their assistance to secure the
election OF HiScOck. Ii that is true, it
will cripple that candidate badly for the
race. Mr. Hiscock is very hopeful.
SUBORDINATE POSITIONS IN THE HOUSE.
While the fight for the speakership wakes
warm, the contest for subordinate positions
in the House is none the less intense. The
most active candidates in that respect are
Jim Davis. Of New York, for Sergcant-at-
Arms; Colonel Jack Brown, OF Georgia.
and Major Buunel, of New York, for Door
keeper. The latter arrived here this eve
ming. Rev. 5. Domer, OF st. Paul's Lu-
theran church, this city, is after the chap
lainship. All of the candidates are hard at
work. and present indications promise the
liyclieSt reorganization the House has ever
known.