The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-16
The Margin Will Be Very Narrow, and 1t Is
Expected There Will BE More Contested
Seats Than in Any Previous Congress.
Duties DevOlving on officials Who Have
the Handling of the Electoral Vote.
The Official Count Shows IarrisOns Plural.
ity in the State Of New York VIII Be 49,
OOO-West Virginia Still in Doubt.
THE NEXT HOUSE.
Latest Returns Favor the Rep ublicans-A
Large Number OF Contests Expected.

Latest Returns Favor the Rep ublicans-A
Large Number OF Contests Expected.
Special to the Indianapolis sournaA
WAsHISGToN, Nov. 15.-During the past few
days there has been so much uncertainty as to
the outcome Of the congressional contest there
has been less talk concerning the speskership
than there was when il seemed certain that the
Republicans would have from ten to twenty ma
jority in the next House. Still. one occasion
ally hears name suggested and discussed
vigorously. The Hon. j. c. Burrows, of Michi.
gan, who is ar excellent parliameutarian and
thorouehly-equippsd member in every respect.
has been named in this connection, and it is
said that he will have the warm Endorsement of
several members of the Republican national
committee, who desire to see him promoted
because OF the valuable services rendered in the
campaign.
The latest returns available tonight indicate
that the Republicans will have a bare majority
in the organization OF the House, although
German and his followers are still strain
ing their eyes IN every direction to
see If possible, chance for cutting down
this majority. or wiping it out completely.
AL the signs point to more contested seats in the
Fifsy-frst Congress. which will be the first in
the second century since tho adoption Of the
Constitution, than were ever known. The meth
DDS OF settling these contested cases are much
better than they were formerly but in spite Of
the improvement it frequently happens that
months elapse before they are settled. and there
are still pending several fights over seats in the
present House. The Democrats ara no more
derelict in settling these questions than the Re-
pub.icans, for it will be remembered that in the
Forty seventh Congress tho first session had al
most drawn to close before Smalls, of South
Carolina was awarded his seat, to which be was
elected by an overwhelming majority; while iu
the same Congress Lee, who contested tho seat
of Richardson, was unable TO get in because
his case was delayed till the last
moment, and when it finally taken up the
House voted on the resolution declaring that
Richardson was not elected a member OF the
Foriy-sevepth Congress At that time the Re-
publcans had a bare majority of three or Ave.
according TO the way the independents were
counted, and on the last day OF the session,
when the resolution was called up declaring Lee
duly elected a member of the Forty-seventh
Congress. the Democrats refraiued from voting
and enough Republicans were absent TO break
the quorum and The last forty eight hours of the
session were occupied in trying to breal; the
deadlock which this contest created In order
that the whisky bond intention bill might be
passed.
Representative Thompson. secretary of the
Democratic congressional committee. told Star
reporter. this afternoon. that he thought the
Democrats would certainly have majority of
one or three in the next House. They had, ac-
cordipg his Information, elected Fisher in
Michigan Simmons, in North Carolina. and not
less than three members in West Virginia. He
thought. also, that Democrat had been elected
in Mr.. Taulbees district in Kentucky, By an in.
creased majority