New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-01
HEFoRTY-EIGHTHC CONGRESS
THE FIGHT FOR THE sPEAKERsHIp.


REPREsENTATIvEs-ELEcr UPON THE SEVERAL CAN.
DIDATEs AND UPON MEASURES OF PUBLIC
POLICY.
fFBoM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Sept. 80. -In all speculations AS to
the prospects of the several Democratic candidates
for the Speakership, the attitude of Democratic
Representatives respecting the pr position 10 reopen
the tariff question next winter cuts a large figure.
and any trustworthy information on that subject
is, therefore. of much interest and value. In the
hope Of attaining IL letter addressed TO every
Democratic ReBresentative-elect several weeks ago.
asking for an expression Of bis views in regard to
that matter, and also his opinion as to the wisdom
of repeating the compulsory provisions of the silver
coinage act and of suspending the further issue of
silver certificates and requesting him to indicate
his choice for the Speakership letter was at the
same time addressed to every Republican Repre-
sentative-elec soliciting expression of his views
the subjects, and also his opinions respect
ing proposition to repeal reduce internal tax
alton. to make liberal appropriations for the
Mississippi River and other internal improvements,
and of an attempt to declare q forfeiture of land
grants to railroads now building,
Replies have been received from so Democrats and
40 Republicans. Many of them were written under
a seal OF confidence which must be respected so far
at least the identity Of the writers is concerned.
Ofthe 45 Republicans all opposed to an attempt
to reopen the tariff question for general revision,
although of them would be glad to have read
justment as to certain items; II want the duty on
wool restored to the old rate 1 would like TO have
lumber placed the free list; strenuously
oppose the present high duty sugar. and 1
believes that certain errors may be corrected and
needful notifications carried under the two-thirds
rule.
Only express opposition to repeal of the
compulsory provisions of the silver coinage act,
opinion; 10 favor the continuance of silver certif-
Gates 21 oppose it, and 8 are non-conmitta; 0
Representatives, who now favor a repeal Of the
silver coinage act say they would hot If it provided
for "an honest dollar; 3 favor recoinago Of the
trade dollars.
Eleven Representatives favor the repeal Of the in
ternal revenue laws; 8 desire to have the tax re-
tanned whiskey only, and that at reduced
rate; 10 oppose any modification, and 8 are nom
committal.
Nearly all favor liberal appropria atoms for In
ternal improvements; want reasonable" OF
moderate" appropriations; Is oppose the leyes
system for the Mississippi River, and 80 qualify
their approval of the general policy of internal
improvements by saying in substance that it must
be governed by tho necessities Of national COM
mercej l wants the Mississippi provided for in
separate bill, and opposes that proposition.
As TO land grants, Ii Representatives favor q
strict construction Of the granting acts in ths
interest of the Government, while all insist that
good faith with the companies must be maintained.
and each case consideIeJ ahd dealt with according
TO its own merits and the facts affecting II.
As to the Republican nomination for the Speaker
ship IL Representatives press preference Mr..
Hiscock for General Keifer, for Mr.. Reed. l for
n i n
seetts, for Mr.. Elwood and II are non-cOmmittal.
The nomination is regarded by some Of the Repre-
sentatiyes as "a barren horror" and several of them
indicate thar that If 1t otherwise they would
make a different choice. Two or three think it
would be ungracious thing not to nominate Gen.
eTa Keifer, while several say that If a vote for him
is to be regarded an Endorsement of his course
respecting the Official sUenOgraphers at time when
the Republicans as a party supporting tho
Civil Service act, they cannot vote for him.
OF the 70 Democrats who responded to the in
qurie3 81 favor reOpening of the tariff question
next winter, opposed to it, and the remainder
are nOn-committal. One Maryland Representative
opposes renewal of the tariff agitation because he
fears its effect the Democratic party; one New
York Representative takes the same ground because
he thinks that to reopen the question would not
promote the good of the country and two oppose it
on the ground that the attempt would be futile.
Several suggest that they cannot make up their
minds until the aggregate wisdom OF the DEM
OcTatic party" in caucus assembled, has been
brought TO bear upon the subject.
OF the 70 representatives 81 are opposed to a
peal of the compulsory provisions of the silver
coinage act 4 favor it and II express no opinion.
Several in favor of unlimited coinage of silver.
As to the SpeakerSh 21 express preference for
Carlisle, IL for S. S. Cox, for Randall aud for
IL o.
the 81 say they have not yet wade choice. About
one half of the Cox men say that Carlisle is their
second choice, while Cox is che second choice Of tho
same number of Carlise's friends. |; is only fair
to say that in this statement the preferences ofthe
New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland aud Ohio
Representatives are not included, and that not
half OF the Democratic Representatives from New
York have indicated their choice. Mr.. Hewitt Is in
Europe, Perry Belmont wrote that he had no
views to express at present. Messrs Beach and
Potter were nOn-cOmmittal and no responses were
received from MessrS. Slocum, Dorsheimer, Hardy,
Hutchins, Spriggs, Wemple, ArnOt and one or two
others Mr. Carlisle seems to have strong support
in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi.
Arkansas and Texas, while Ohio, Illinois, Cafor-
uia, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama.
Virginia North Carolina and South Carolina appear
to be almost unknown quantities far as his pros
poets are concerned. His friends are making very
strong claims of support IN Illinois and Wisconsin
on account of Representative Morrisons influence.
There Is some reason to believe, however, that
Colonel Morrisons friends in Illinois, Mis-
souri and Wisconsin have strong hopes that no
may come to the front III the Speakersbp race
before the contest is decided General Rosencrans
and Rspresentative-cleet Sumner, Of California,
both put down as in favor of Cox, Mr. raOatt of
Maryland, and Mr.. Lamb, of Indiana, for Randall.
II
will be cast for Converse, of Ohio.
REPUBLICAN OPINIONS.