The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-06
THE HOUSE ORGANIZATION.
The Doorkeepership the Only Office To BE
Sharply Contested.

The Doorkeepership the Only Office To Be
Sharply Contested.
Washington Special.
More or less quiet work has been going on
during the past month over the offices of the
House of Representatives, for which there is a
serious contest. The speakership long since
ceased to be a matter of discussion, and no can
didate has yet appeared to oppose General Clarke
as clerk of the House.
The fight for doorkeeper gives some indica-
tons of Eveliness, however, General Field, Hig-
gins and Donelson being the candidates most
talked about, although there are three or four
more in the field. It has been stated lately that
Mr.. Higgins had concluded, after all, not to try
for the place, but would hold quietly onto his
position as appointment clerk of the Treasury
Department, but there isthe very best authority
for saying he is not going to withdraw. The
Enquirer representative put the question to him
pointedly to-day, and he answered promptly and
unhesitatingly that he was a candidate. Besides
the favor of the Maryland delegation, it is said
he will also be backed by the Ohio and Indiana
delegations. They are mashed on Higgins on
account of his sympathy with their ideas of
eivil-service reform.
IL POCltudStCI dPpSdI W 10 III OppOoi
ton to Lycurgus Dalton, of Indiana, the present
incumbent. Dalton is certainly one of the most
efficient and popular officers the House ever had,
and it is believed there will be no difficulty in
securing his re- election by reclamation.
For Sergeant-at-arms there is only one candi-
date so far announced. This is the present
incumbent. John P. Leedom. of Ohio. There is.
however, conside able quiet opposition toward
Leedom's candidacy. Governor Curtin and sew
eral other prominent members of the House are
quoted as saying that they will not support
Leedom under any circumstances. While it is
known that there are members of Leedom's own
delegation who will not vote for him, and 1t IS
said the Ohio Democrats cannot again be united
on Leedom, it is also said that ex Representative
George Post, of Pennsylvania, aspires to the
Office, but he has not yet publicly announced
himself as a candidate, Should Mr.. Post do so
he would have strong backing, AS he Is quite
popular. He was chairman last year of the
Democratic congressional campaign committee,
and did good work for many of the new members
of Congress, as we'll as those elected. Ohio
Democrats express doubt at to Leedom's ability
to secure the United support of that delegation.
In that event the place would undoubtedly be
given to some other State. If, however, the
Democrats should carry Ohio next month, the
Democratic caucus would be GLAD to give the
position to any Ohio Democrat on whom the
delegation may unite.
One of the foremost political arguments used
against Leedom'S re- election is that he has kept
a young Republican in one of the best positions
under him ever since his election, although there
have been many protests against it. The salary
given to this Republican is 81, 500 per year. 1t
is argued that Leedom should have given this
place to some worthy Democrat instead of keep
inc a Republican in Office.
Several names have been suggested as suitable
candidates in place of Leedom: Chairman Tom
CogaD, of Cincinnati; Henry Bohl, of Marietta;
Col. j. l.. Vance, OF Gallipolis; Eek Heisley, of
Cleveland: DR.. Norton. of Seneca county; George
z. Tyler, or ex Warden Dyer, of Brown county;
Ross Alexander. of Belmont; Colonel O'Brien. of
Cincinnati; John g. Reeves, of Lancaster, and
others.