The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-12-13
Our Washington Special.
Congress No. FOrty-EIght.
Carlisle It's speaker-mOrri hts
LLoutenant.-A Talk with Kan.
dall.-The House Officers.
Special to the Press.

WASHINGTON DEC. 10.-Once more
the House Of Representatives of the
UnitedStates has passed into the hands
of the Democratic majority. But the
fact that the Senate is still at variance
politically with the lower house will
make it extremely difficult and inn
probable that any partisan legislation
will be attempted during this session.
Under the new apportionment the
House consists of 325 members, of
whom 1874 are Democrats in good
standing. The Republican roll foots
ND only lis, with 10 members on tt e
fence" The Democrats therefore have
an infiexible majority of 76 and can
generally figure on one-half the vote
of the l3 independents. On every
thing outside OF a unanimous consent
or two-thirds legislation, the Demo
Gratis will not be hampered by major
ity (as when last in power), which was
generally less than quorum.
An analysis of the Democratic mem
bsrship reveals that the majority rep
reseuts the west and south, and party
measures will therefore likely reflect
the prevailing views Of these sections.
THE RE- OF THE HOUSE
The Speak contest was one of
the most noted of its kind. 1t was
brayado on the Randall side and con-
fidence among Carlisle's army. The
first ballot of the caucus nominating
Mr., Carlisle for speaker with lO6 votes
AGAINST So for Randall and 80 for Cox
YVES a revelation of the truth that the
Kentucky statesman knew just what
he was talking about before the caucus
assembled.
Tt is now said that Mr.. Randall had
the craftsmanship of every committee
pledged for the promise of supporters,
while Mr.. Carlisle refused to touch
that patronage until after he had been
elected speaker. This honest course
gained for him no less than thirteen
votes, that, otherwise would have been
cast for Randall or Cox.
Ex-congressman John B. Clark, OF
Mo. secured the clerkship on the Sec
ond ballot, John p. Leedom of Ohio,
Sergeant at Arms by acclamation, j.
q. Wintersmith of Texas, DoorkeePer,
T.. Dalton of Indiana, Postmaster, and
Rev. John S. Lindsay of Georgetown,
the Chaplaincy.
Generals Slecum and Rosecrans new
sr forget the soldier, and at their in
stance the caucus did a magnanimous
thing in voting to retain the thirteen
disabled union soldiers now under the
employ of the doorkeeper. On the
whole the caucus was one of the most
harmonious that ever assembled in the
Capital.
AFTER THE CAUCUS.
was very anxious to know now
Messrs. Randall and Cox would greet
their successful competitor, Mr.. Car
Isle, after the latter's nomination by
the caucus. Mr.. Carlisle occupied the
room of tho committee on appropria-
IiOns during tne session, "hlle TIE
other two candidates and their friends
fingered in other committee apartments
Wiien MIR. Carlisle's vote was an
nounced a shadow of great disappoint
msnt swept over Mr.. Randalps face,
while Mr.. Cox gleefully exclaimed,
I" well, aoa happy after all to think
the responsibilities of speaker are not
to cau-e me any restless nights" and
he seemed TO feel just that way.
The two defeated candidates then
called on Mr.. Carlisle, and to the OBJ
server their congratulations were ap-
parently very hearty. With Mr.. Ran
dali on the right and Cox on the left
OF MIR. Carlisle, arm in arm, they con-
Quoted him to the Hall of Representa-