The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-11-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
10 our REGULAR Correspondent.


WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 1883.
The Speakership race is an ar
absorbing topic in Washington at
the present time, but real activity IN
the contest is not yet manifest. The
national legislators are arriving
rather slowly. They will be on time
however, when the caucus meets,
one week from Saturday next, and,
meanwhile. the canvass will rapidly
grow in energy. BY the middle OF
this week the most trusty workers
of the several candidates will all be
here. and then matters will be STIR
red in q very lively manner. There
are now about seventeen senators
and forty six members IN the city.
The principal candidates in the race
have all arrived, and are quartered.
Mr.. Randall has fully recovered
from his recent indisposition and
seems to be in the best of health.
He is personally directing his can
vass. His headquarters are estab-
lished at the Ebbitt, in the same par
lors that Speaker Keifer occupied IN
his canvass. Mir. Randall has thus
far conducted his canvass silently
and at long range. His exact
strength il therefore the hardest 10
estimate. No tabulated statement
of Randall's estimated support has
been given out, but in a general
way Il j. claimed that be will get
from eighty-fiye TO ninety votes on
the first ballot. and a nomination
on the second. 10 is admitted on
al hands that Mr.. Randall has the
cordial support and friendship Of
Ex-Governor 1ilden, and TINS iu-
fuenoe IL actively al work for
him.
Across frcm Randall's headquar-
ter5. Mr.. Cox holds the fort al Val
lards. He il in good humor, ana
expresses amusement at the talk oi
" complimentary votes for him.
He saws that he once helped a man
in Ohio 70 get complimentary votes
IN a convention for sheriff. he got
so many that he was elected on the
first ballot. Mr.. Cox told another
good story of a friend OF lis, an
lrishman. "who remarked when /
left New York that it seemed that
the papers had elected both Ran
dali and Carlisle; so what's the use
of your going down at all, at all p
But MIR. Cox believes that his friends
will stick to him as long as he wants
them to, and he will stick until he
is satisfied that ne is not wanted as
speaker. The New York Democrats
are solid for Cox with twenty votes,
and his friends readily count enough
from the other states to give him a
total of seventy-tour on the first
ballot.
Some distance from Wizards,
down Pennsylvania avenue, Mr.. Car.
isles headquarters are established
at the Metropolitan, and they are
presided over by Representatives
Blackburn and Thompson, of Ken.
lucky. Judging from the sanguinC
feeling exhibited by the Carlisle
men, their candidate is largely
leading the others, and is well-nigh
certain of election. Their count, as
suming that the contest is really be-
tween Carlisle and Randall, has been
presented in tabulated statement
giving Carlisle 10 and Randall 81
votes. 1t will only require 80 vote;
to nominate in the caucus, and the
Carlisle men claim that they are
moderate in allowing their candidate
margin of only IA. 1t is no secret
that if Cox drops out of the race, the
Tammany congressman will go ovel
to Carlisle, but still the opinion j:
that the supporters of the latter arr
taking a very rosy view of the situa
ton. Carlisle and Cox exchange
friendly calls, and their relations are
in no way rufiled. Either of then
would much rather see the other vii
than to have Randall succeed, but il
previous contests for the Speakershil
Mr.. Randall's estimates of his Owl
strength have proved much NOR,
accurate than those Of his opponent
and therefore many cool observer
of the field are inclined to thinl
that it may be so this time. Anywa,
it will be well for his opponents no
to be too sure of their grip upon tn
Speakers mallet until his votes ar
counted. And it is best not to los
sight of a fine stud of dark horses
such as Converse, Morrison, Eaton
Springer, Blackburn and Dorsheime
who are paving and snuiiing tn
battle from afar.
| went over to the White Hous
Saturday, and found it in apple-pi
order. The most importantimprove
ment is the re-frescoing Of the grea
East Room. The ceiling lights ~
| beautifully. All the fre.coes, car
pets and hangings in the Whit
House, except those in the Presl
ednt's personal apartments, ar
designed for gaslight effects. Tha
is the reason they are so frequentl,
condemned. 1t ought to be remem
bered that a carpet, like a woman
looks very differently in the softene,
blaze of the big chandeliers. Nj
Arthur has put the stamp of his goo
taste on every apartment in tn
White House, and when he goes GU
otit his successor will find it hand
some home. LENOX.