The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-04
THE MONEY POWER WINS
AND TOM REED is CHOSEN SPEAKER.
Only Two Ballots Necessary to Secure ais
Eection-McPherson Chosen Clerk on
the First Ballot-Holmes For Ser
geant-at-Arms.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.-The floor of the
house presented busy scene this morning
as early as 10 o'clock, although noon was
the hour fixed for the meeting OF the eau
Gus which was to decide who should pre-
side over the deliberations of the house
during the Fifty-first congress. The mem
hers assembled gathered in groups to look
over the situation, and the friends of the
various candidates we're earnest in their
efforts to add to the strength of their favor
ties. The first candidate to put in an APP
pearance was Mr.. Cannon of Illinois.
Shortly after 10 o'clock he arrived at the
capitol and took possession of the larger OF
the two rooms occupied by the committee
on appropriations. There he awaited the
coming of his active lieutenants, Messrs.
Rowell and Adams of Illinois, who, when
they arrived. went hard to work in behalf
of the Illinois candidate. Mr.. Reed was
the next candidate to reach the capitol,
and he Immediately went to the hall OF
the house and in his old seat received the
good wishes of his supporters. Mr. Nc
Kinley directed his canvass from the room
and his chief lieutenant, Mr.. Thompson,
was active in his efforts to prevent any
break In the ranks OF the adherents of the
Ohio man. The Michigan delegation
secured the room of the committee on
naval affairs for its candidate, and Mr..
Burrows s1nilinglv welcomed all Corners
Mr.. Henderson of Iowa was the neighb0r OF
Mr.. Cannon, occupying the smaller room of
the appropriations committee, and was the
recipient OF many good wishes
About ten minutes before 10 the door
keepers began to clear the floor OF the
house OF all persons not entitled to be
present The busy newspaper men took
I'D their stations in the corridors, the adj
herents of the various candidates who
were not members OF congress gathered in
knots outside of the door-ways, and few
democratic members who had dropped in
TO gee the skirmishing and dragooning of
forces preliminary to the caucus retreated
10 adjacent committee-rOoms. Just before
the caucus met the air was thick with ru
mors of combinations and agreements.
The whippers-in of the various candidates
were laboring earnestlywith members sup
posed to be of doubtful dispositions, or
those who showed willingness to trade
after a few ballots for their favorites
But these members were few in number
comparatively speaking, and it was sur
prising TO witness the degree of confidence
exhibited by the leading candidates.
Promptly at noon the caucus was called
TO order by Secy. McCOmas. Mr. Cannon
holds over as chairman OF the caucus, but
IN view of his candidacy tor the speaker
ship, he retired, and Mr.. Henderson OF
Illinois was elected chairman. The first
business in order was TO call the roll of the
members. The roll-cail developed the
presence of 165 members, four less than
the entire republican strength in the
house Mr.. Mudd, the contestant for Mr.
Compton's seat from the Fifth Maryland
district, occupied seat on the floor, but
took no part in the proceedings. The first
business transacted was the adoption OF
resolution that the balloting for the speak
ership should be open.
The first ballot resulted-Reed rs, Nc
Kinley 80, Cannon %, Burrows 10, Hen
derson Is.
On the second ballot Reed received SO
votes, thus receiving the nomination. The
Eecond ballot was-Reed Sc, Mckinley So,
Cannon 10, Burrows IL. Henderson 8. So
Reed was declared to have received the
caucus nomination.
Voting down a motion TO take a recess
until evening, the caucus Immediately
proceeded TO select a nominee for clerk,
and the various candidates were presented
in short speeches The result of the first
ballot was the election of Mr.. Mcpherson
OF Pennsylvania, who received 116 to 80
for Carson of Pennsylvania.
4. j. Holmes, ex-representative from
Iowa, and A. II. Reed of Minnesota, were
the candidates for sergeant-at-arms, and
Mr.. Holmes was selected. The vote was
Holmes l43, Reed Is.
The candidates for doorkeeper were
Charles Adams of Maryland, and James
A. Wheat OF Wisconsin Adams was nomi-
mated by one majority.
Wheat was, however, Immediately NOM
mated for the office OF postmaster, receiv-
ing go votes, against % for Leitell. 20 for
Worrell and Is for Mckee.
The Rev. Charles B. Ramsdell OF the
North presbyterian church of Washing
ton was nominated for chaplain, receiving
81 votes out OF totalOf III, the remainder
Icing divided among half dozen other
.-audfIafaa