New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-01
THE SPEAKERsHIP CONTEST.
THE LOBBY" FIGHTING AGAINST CHAPLIN.
THE OLD CANAL RING CONTRACTORS OPPOSED TO
HIM-wHAT THE FRIENDS OF THE OTHER CAM
DATES SAY.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrpuNE.l


man as Speaker and Alfred C. Chaplin, who ii
seemed likely, yesterday, was to receive such a
phenomenal compliment is not apparently, to have
it bestowed upon him. His election as Speaker will
be stouty opposed in the Democratic caucus to-
morrow night by the worst element of the party.
This element suddenly revealed itself to-day 1t
consists of members of the Canal Ring, all the chief
lobbyists the corrupt hangers-on about the LegIs-
lature and thevish members-elect Of the Assembly.
All these men have a common purpose to defeat the
| election of Mr. Chaplin as Speaker. He is ap-
parently tho most Objectionable man to them
among the candidates. The opposition cannot be
caused solely by his moral character, as there arc
other candidates for Speaker whose character is
equally above reproach. 1t Is, perhaps,
explained best by a prominent Democratic
| politician who said: There will inevitably
be much disappointment among the Democratic
members over their committee positions this year
owing TO theiI large majority There not enough
good places TO go around Moreover there is q largo
corrupt element among the members. As the ses-
sion proceeds llfeeling constantly increases among
members What foresee is that late in the session
the corrupt members and the lobby will attempt to
| take advantage OF all the accumulated dlsappont-
ment and illfeeng and wiring the control Of the As
sembly from the hands of the Speaker. A man of
| indOmitabe courage, keen ability and with back
| bone OF iron Is needed to make
| stand against and conquer such an onset that.
| think Mr.. Chaplin is the only man among the cam
didates who has that character That is tho reason
/ am supporting him, although THINK tho character
OF the other candidates for Speaker is equally as
good"
As has been stated, the members Of the old Canal
Ring. who. it was supposed, had been buried polit-
ically beyond recovery by Mr.. Tilden in 1875,
have suddenly appeared here and attempting to
unite the members OF the Assembly upon some can
dida,e for Speaker other than Mr.. Chaplin. Chief
among these men is Willard johnson, of Oswego.
whose exploits as canal contractor
on tho Erie Canal were described
IN detail in THE TRIBUNE in 1875 Now that the
canals are to be free and to be ma ntained at
the expense Of the State. Mr.. johnson may be look
ing for some fresh contracts. His chief lieutenant
seems TO DO Charles Dlniels another Old canal con-
tractor. They seem TO be aided by every member
OF the lobby 1t was an interesting spectacle TO old
politicians in the corridor Of the Deavan House
to-day to observe these men gong rapidly |
from member 10 member urging them to |
join In combination against Mr.. Chaplin. |
Arguments used supposed to be suit |
able 10 the member addressed. Some were |
told that Governor Cleveland was inccnsed that Mr. |
Chapin had been represented his candidate and |
chosen To Others 1t was said that Mr.. Chapm had !
resolved 60 give them good committee po sltiOns |
Many were informed that all Che patronage Of the |
Assembly had already been parccllcd ont among |
Mr. Chapin's friends Mr.. Chapin's supporters, of |
course, wthstOod this onset best they could. |
They denied vrhemently that Governor Cleveland |
hal SAID anything about the contest to-day or that
Mr. Chaplin had made any arrangements about the |
committees.
Naturally Tho minor candidates for Speaker took |
courage. Mr. Benedict. whose legislative record Is
as stainless that of Mr.. ChapIn, and who num-
bers among his supporters some ot the Of high
est character in the Assembly. announced that no
should stay in the to the end. Surrogate
Parker. of Ulster County, the manager Of Mr. Bene-
diets canvass. expressed confidence in his friends
election. Mr. Parker thought that Mr.. Chapins
strength had been fictitious throughout.
When the members were questioned, he said. it was
discovered that many who had been supposed to be
pledged 70 Mr. Chaplin were not so pledged He
thought that there would be a concentration of the
opposition 10 Mr. Chaplin on Mr.. Benedict
and that the latter would be elected There would
b. several ballots in the Democratic caucus he
thought, ending IN the election of Mr.. Benedict. 1t
IS obvious that tho managers OF the opposition to
sir Chaplin are now attempting 10 get votes for Mr.
Benedict, hut it IS suspected that they may try to
transfer these votes alterward To Mr.. POucher, who
would please them bo ter for Speaker. Politicians
are OF tho opinion thlt the mass of Mr.. Beuedict's
supporters cannot he transferred TO MIR. POucher;
hat they would prefer 20 vote rather for Mr.
Chaplin.
Mr. Poucher. who almost concluded yesterday TO
Withdraw as "A candidate for Speaker, was a firm |
candidate to-day. liis friends nss.rt that he Will
rave a considerable support. Mr.. higgins, of |
Niagara County, who some time ago announced |
Iimsot "a candidate on his ARRIVAL here yester- !
law withdrew from the coutest MIR UaSgertv |
uNi her uf lr gtgIf al lVplf
IN. Chaplin. Erastus Brooks another candidate, |
Gems 10 havo no support. 1t Is limited that the OPP
position may give their votes to him ii IN that way
lr. Chapn can be defeated. Politicians say that
he speakership contest now practically contest
etween Mr Manning tho Chairman Of the ID M !
cratic state Committee, who backs Mr. Chapln, L
nd the lobby" They predict that Mr.. Manning
viii win.
MR.. LAMONT APPOINTED PRIVATE SECRETARY.
Daniel g. Lamont, of Albany, was appointed pri- b
ate secretary to Governor Cleveland tonight. Mr..
amont originally appointed military secretary d
Y Mr. Cleveland but It is now thought that tho
lttor intended all the time to make Mr. Lamont the
hief Clerk of the Executive Department. Polit-
ally the appointment will be considered as ndi- a
.tng that Mr.. Cleveland has formed an d
ance with Samuel j. 1lden. MIR. y
amont for many years has been actually the
cretary of the 1ilden Democratic State Com
itlee. although merely having the title OF
Clerk" Some member of the committee had the
ln0rary title of Secretary" but Mr.. Lamont did " "
| the work. BY his connection with the COM | cl
ittce year after year Mr. Lamont gained larger
,quaintance with politicians than is possessed by
~ other Democrat III the State. He has a remark
,c memory for faces aud the particulars oil poll No
,ians life. As one to introduce politicians to HI
T. Cleveland and inform him of their sic
lative importance, Mr.. Lamont will be of great I'll
lue TO Mr.. Cleveland.
John Kelly, however will have good reason to
INK that Hr. Illden has placed an agent
ny close to the throne of the reign a Z
G Democratic Governor. but Mr.. Lamont will ~
of far value to Mr. Cleveland his secre Iii
tary than as politician. lie learned how to work
nd and with thoroughness rs chief clerk of Secre-
ry OF State Bigelow Since then as managing
itOr of The Albany ArguS he has labored unceas-