The sun., 1888-12-07
THE CONTEST FOR SPEAKER.
CHl1CRs OF THE FOUR REPUBLICAN,
CANDID ATBS NON ~ THE FIELD.
The Canvass Actively Going on, Although
the Republicans May rnii OF n Majority
"A Fight netweep the East nnd West In
which RnrroMa May be the snrvlvor.

The Canvnss Actively Going on, Aitk ouFf,
the Republicans nay rnii OF N Majority
"A Fight netwcep the East and West In
which burrows May be the Survivor.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.--The Republicans are
atill going upon tho assumption that no con-
tingency can pro eDt them from having control
OF the Fifty-first Congress, although the result
Of the recount in West Virginia and the ri OBJ
able success OF Bates in Tennessee would loaye
them a majority OF only ono. which may he lost
by the recount in tho Fifteenth district of New
York. The Democrats claim TO have elected
105 members in the South and Ga in tho North
and West. making total OF 162 which is one
less than majority. The one man 20 much
needed they hope to get from New York.
On the other hand, the Republicans claim not
less than five majority, and the contest be-
tween the four candidates Tor the Speakership
goes on actively day und night. Cannon, Bur-
rows. Mckinley and Reed are openly pitted
against each other, md each has Jealous fol-
lowing. Thoso who support Mckinley and
Burrows respectively do the most talking. and
advocate the cause OF their chiefs with the
most warmth. For the present 1t looks
rs though the contest would I've one OF
sections. the West against New England.
with the South to draw from. Tho Western
men say the Republican gains in the late cleo
tions heinG in the South ana West. and Us the
race is between the Enst and West. tho Speak
ership ought TO 20 to the West. Besides. the
natural alliance for the South Is with tho
West The members OF this Congress who
have been reelected are easy to get
at. and the candidates will be able
to mako reasonable estimates before long OF
how many OF their present associates they may
rely upon in the nominating caucus. Mean
while each candidate is reaching for the votes
OF the new members Before the session closes
a large proportion OF these will visit Washing
ton to see how things are done ct the Capitol.
and the candidates may then get in their llne
work. either directly or through friends.
An Eastern Republican who thinks the
Spenker will come from the West says: Mr..
Cannon will drop ont of the race after awhile,
With the certainty OF going to the ,I bend OF the
Mckinley will likewise withdraw i,o become
Chairman OF the Committee on Ways and
the floor This would leave the field clear for
u race between Heed and ono opponent: either
and ke s the
Mr.. Cannon has been member OF the Ap-
rropriatons COMMITTEES, many years. and is
sponsibilities of the important position and
mono OF his party associates is more. capableo Of
aIshsct Of them The "e tariff psnE S the the
special claims to the leadership OF his
party in discussions OF the tariff. His personal
popularity. his Information and firm convic:
tions on that controvered question. which will
play a large part in the Fifty-tirst Congress:
his ability as an orator. and his courage may
be all assigned Us reasons why he should go to
the head OF the Ways and Means Committee.
His weakest point is his imperfect training and
requirements rs parlamentarinn.
Mr.. Cannon Is also deficient in this respect
an important defect in Il candidate for the
Speakership. Cannon reminds one OF re-
mark once made by Senator Beck about him
self. that the moro he studied the rules OF the
House the less he know about them. But Con-
non does know more about tho may rules
governing that body than Mckinley has ever
given evidence of knowing. Burrows and Reed
have n great advantage over their competitors
in their familiarity with parliamentary law.
and Cannon are strict partisans, but
and fair minded Mckinley would
be a very popular Speaker with both parties.
Reeds stinging sarcasm and gall tipped tongue
have made him many enemies, but his ability.
many admirers. Burrows has popular man
ners. an eloquent tongue. pleasing ad-
dress. and breezy Western way. His
OF the office Of Speaker
would frequently bring to mind the ever
name OF j. Warren Keifer. Either
Burrows or Reed has the peculiar lualifcs-
tions that the Republicans will need In their
Speaker il the purely partisan work that has
been foreshadowed for the next Congress is to
flourish in its most aggressive form.