New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-30
PRICE THREE CENTS.
MR.. SHEARD IN THE LEAD.
ATTEMPTS TO FORM COMBINATIONS.
THE CRY or LOCALITY "-THE CLERKsHIP AN
ELEMENT IN THE FIGHT FOR SPEAKER.


lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNEl
ALBANY, Dec. 29.-The contest for Speaker of the
Assembly became more heated to-day, in conse-
quence Of the arrival of large number of leading
Republican politicians. Yet the result is as deeply
hidden as before. All that be said is that Mr..
Sheard has leading position, that Mr.. Roosevelt
has the next largest number of followers, Mr.. Err
win the third largest, and Mr.. Lttejohn is support
ed by the fewe3t members. Mr.. Sheard had such a
commanding lead that the other candidates
became alarmed, and all day they have
been attempting to form combinations against him,
Moreover, there have been attacks indirect. The
most effective of these has been the withdrawal Of
Haines D. Cunningham from the canvass for Clerk.
Mr.. Cunningham was the sole formidable compete
tor Of c. A. Chickering, Of Lewis Comfy, the lead
ing candidate for Clerk. Lewis County happens to
be adjacent to Herkimer County, the home
Of Mr.. Sheard. 1t was said facetiO usy to-day that
only snow bank divides them.
MOVE AGAINST sHEARD.
Mr. Cunningham was therefore withdrawn, so
that 1t would be apparent TO the members OF tho
Assembly that they were asked to elect Speaker
and Clerk from the same locality. This locality"
cry uttered by Silas b. butcher in particular,
who came here to canvass for William Ii. Barker,
of Brooklyn, for Clerk The cry made an impress
sion and much embarrassed Mr.. Sheards lieutcn-
ants. MI. OncdTu ulusclI becHeu unulStuIDtuy
saying laughingly, "Why. Nr. Chickeriug
bors. You have to change cars three
times and take a stage-ride of four miles in
going from Mr. Chickering's home at Copenhagen
to mine at Little Falls"
However, Mr. Sheard's managers were not so
gOOd-humored over the attack. They were the
more hampered by it because a portion of their
own followers from New-York aud Brooklyn de-
manded that Mr.. Barker should be supported for
Clerk and an attack be made upon Chickering, but
this they could not do, inasmuch as there were
more supporters of Mr.. Sheard who
favored Mr. Chickering than Of those who
favored Mr. Barker The attempts to make a
combination against Mr. Sheard continued through
the day, and were still in progress at midnight.
The combination was not made, because the
friends of each of the three opposition candidates,
Messrs Erwin, LittlejOhR and Roosevelt, desired
the union to be made on their favorite candidate.
REJECTED AS A COMPROMISE CANDIDATE.
At one time during he day, Mr.. O'Nei, of Frank
Lin County was suggested a compromise candidate,
but he was not accepted. Moreover 1t was discoy-
cred that Mr. Sheard was the second choice Of
certain proportion of the supporters of each one
of the other candidates. Accordingly the
support of these gentlemen could not be
transferred in bulk to any other candidate opposed
to Mr.. Sheard. Mr. Roosevelts support especially
was found to be made of this intractable material.
Mr.. Roosevelt has not put muchtrust in his support
from New-York and Brooklyn, and has always ather
feared that the members from those cities would
drift away At present these members are casting
friendly glance in Mr.. Sheards direction. Pohti-
clans are wondering if disappointment over the re-
fusal of Mr.. Sheards managers to support
Barker will cause the New-York and
Brooklyn members, who are rather friendly to
Sheard, to leave him and go over to Erwin. The
hope of Mr.. Erwins supporters is that this viii
happen. Experienced politicians are of the opinion
that the contest will finally narrow down to Dir.
Sheard aud Mr. Erwin. 1t is argued that Mr. Little
John Is practically out Of the contest and that Mr.
Roosevelts support is getting demoralized. Mr.
Roosevelt, however, denies that the members sup
porting him are leaving him. Mr.. Sheards sup
porters were increased to-day by the four members
from Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties
Mr. ROosevets support consists largely OF
the younger members of the Legislature. Two
of his most enthusiastic supporters are new men,
Messrs Van Duser, of Chemung, and Jones, or
Seneca. Mr.. Howe, of New-York and Mr.. ONeil, of
Franklin, have conducted Mr.. Roosevelts canvass
with great vigor.
MR.. LITTLEJoHN's POSITION.
Ex-Speaker Sloan arrived here this morning TO
give aid to Mr.. Littejohn in his canvass. Mr. Sloan
SAID tlaC Alr. LlttltlOun udu not duy
for votes taking the position that If the
Assemblymen desired him for Speaker they
would seek him. Mr.. Sloan virtually admitted
that Mr. Littlejohn had little chance of becoming
Speaker. Mr. LittejOhn himself said that If he
should again be a candidate for Speaker. he would
conduct his canvass on modern methods and seek
the office instead of having il seek HIM.
General James w. Hustled, who had an
nounced that he would support Mr. Little
iohn arrived here, but developed sudden
passion for seigh-riding. There from
New-York to-day Jacob Hess, Commissioner Of
Charities Police Justice SOlon b. Smith and Ber-
nard Biglin. They all announced that they in
tended to support Mr.. Roosevelt Mir. Sheards
canvass to-day has been pushed with energy by
Congressman Bureigh. The evening trains brought
several members of the Legislature of 1879 10 aid
of Syracuse, and James Low, of Niagara Falls
These gentlemen also came to aid Mr.. ChickcTing
IN his canvass, having been his fellow-mambers IN
1871.
THE LATEST RUMORS
Late tonight General James w. Hustled was de-
claring that Mr. Littejohn had made important
gains A rumor went about also that MIR. Roose-
velts and Mr.. Erwns supporters might concentrate
upon Mr. Littejohn. This statement was denied by
them. II is evident, however that tomorrow there
will be many attempts TO roll up formidable oppo-
sition vote to that of Mr. Sheard Mr. Sheards
supporters do not claim that he has yet obtained
clear majority of the votes of the Republican As
semblymen, but believe that he Will 90 50 Oy TO-
morrow night.