The Portland daily press., 1889-12-02
THE CAUCUS.
How the Maine Man Was Made the
Next speaker.

WASHINGTON, November 3d. Fifty-frst
Congress members assembled in groups this
morning to talk over the Speakership situa
tion. and the friends of the various candi-
dates were earnest in their efforts to add
to the strength of their favorites The first
of the candidates to put in an appearance
was Mr.. Cannon Of Illinois. Shortly after
10 O'Clock he arrived at the Capitol aud took
possession of the larger of the two rooms oc-
cupied 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 receiv-
ed the good wishes of his supporters.
Mr.. Mckinley directed his canvass from
the room of the committee on rivers and
harDors, and his chief lieutenant, Mr.
Thompson, was active in his efforts to pre-
vent any break in the ranks of the adher-
ents of the Ohio man. The Michigan dele
cation secured the room of the committee on
naval affairs for its candidate, and Mr.. Bur-
Mr.. Henderson Of Iowa was the neighbor
of Mr.. Cannon, occupying the smaller room
of the appropriation committee, and was the
recipient Of many good wishes.
Representative McComas of Indiana, Sec
retary of the Republican caucus, called the
Fcaucus together, precisely at II o'clock, and
the floor and galleries were cleared of all in
truders. There was an unusually full at
tendance, but some little time was allowed
for absentees to show themselves. Every
member of the New England delegation
was present and prepared to vote for Reed
on the first ballot, and "Boss" Lodge, as the
members of the Massachusetts delegation
now call him, felt pretty confident as to the
outcome, and told the writer that he felt as
certain as could be that only one ballot would
be required to settle the contest. The South
ern men in the interest of Captain Adams for
doorkeeper, with the exception of three
members, resolved to stick by the West. Mr.
MeComas the recognized leader of the South.
ern delegation, declared that fourteen of hi:
followers would never be induced to desert q
Western candidate. 1t was understood that
the voting should be viva voce.
Mr.. Lodge and Mr.. Reed both said that II
was immaterial to them which way the vote
was taken, and that If the Western mer
asked for roll call they would offer no op
position. They felt so confident over the
outcome that they were prepared to be gen
erous at this time and do anything for the
sake of harmony. 1t was definitely decided
that there should be no spread eagle oratory
| in the presentation of the names Of the can
| didates to the caucus.
| At12.15 Henderson of Illinois was elected
I chairman. The regular chairman OF tn,
caucus was Cannon, but being a candidate
he could not of course preside. Henderson
took the chair without any formality, and a
once preparations were made to call the roll
| At12.45 the clerk commenced to call th
roll. There were 165 members present an,
the vote on the frst ballot resulted as fo
lows:
For REED-Arnold, Atkinson, Baker, Bank,
Bayne, Belden, Bingham, Boutelle, Brosiu,
Brewer, Gambler, Carter, Caswell, Cheatam, ,ClarI
Cogswell, Coleman, Comstock, O'Connell, Grail