The Portland daily press., 1889-08-13
The SPEAKERSHIp COMES TO MAINE
This Is what the Wisest Washington
Observers Say.
Both New York and Pennsylvania for
Mr.. Reed.
Railroad Matters, Telegraph Rates,
and the Elixir Of Life.

regard to the speakership: Several recent
utterances Of well-posted public men, COM
ing all together, on the subject of the speak
ership contest, are somewhat significant.
The supporter of Burrows, who claims the
closest acquaintance with the candidacy Of
the representative of Michigan, says that his
favorite will start into the Republican eau
Gus with 40 votes at his back, and that the
statement that the New York delegation has
secretly pronounced for Reed or any
body else is absolutely groundless. The
hope of the Burrows men. 1t appears from
the position of this friend of theirs, is that
when the forces of Reed and Mckinley waver
and break they will all flock to the standard
of Burrows. But the followers of this man,
it is believed by many Republicans, will gain
nothing by maintaining that the Michigan
candidate knows more about the rules than
anybody in the majority. simply because
John G. Carlisle says so, and by insisting
that he knows more about the tariff than
either Mr.. Mckinley or Mr.. Reed. There
are some public signs that make the situa-
tion look a little brighter for Mr.. Reed.
Congressman Belden Of New York
said that his delegation had voted then
and there to stick together to the end. but
had not named candidate. The Reed men.
believing that the majority Of the delega-
heart. Now Major Farquhar says that the
New York delegation will be q unit for
Reed when the caucus meets. Two Penn
sylvania opinions are also significant at
this particular juncture. Congressman
Bayne declares that Reed is his choice from
<-rk % l.ok ,wxI Rfrrh rhaF in
sists that the candidate from the Pine Tree
State will be the next Speaker. The
friends of other candidates are therefore be-
ginning to ask whether this does not mean
that all of the Keystone delegates, with the
possible exception of Congressman Delhem
an enigma in the speakership contest, are to
be thrown to Reed"
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12.-Congressman
Thomas Reeds chances for the Speakership
are reported looming up. His qualification
for the Office and the superabundance of wes-
tern candidates are given as reasons for his
probable selection. Pennsylvania Republl-
cans, it is claimed, will vote for him because
it is the will of 1.-The Little Napoleon" 1t
is not believed the southern movement will
break the Republican column. 1t Is the gen.
eral impression that an extra session OF Con-
gress win be called to meet about the middle
of October. Hence there is left but little
more than two months for the setting up of
the pins for the chief office Of the House Of
Representatives, which is said to be only
third to the office of President in its oppor-
tunities for the exercise of power.
1t is believed that Reed will get all Of the
Republican votes from the New England
and Middle States, with numerous votes
from the South and West, enough to nomin-
ate him on the first ballot, or to influence his
nomination on thesecond ballot.
The demand from the west for speaker
J1lrx xxrfI Md fhn tn
sentiment of that section doesn't seem to
count for much now, and it Is beginning to
be felt that the candidacy of Cannon in IL
linois and Burrows in Michigan, Henderson
in Iowa and Mckinley in Ohio will divide up
tally stronger showing than another. Be-
sides it is an open secret that any one OF
these able gentlemen would prefer to see
Reed in the chair before any Of them.
The South will have 16 or 1! votes, and
candidacy. of Hon. Leonidas G. Houk, the
brilliant, but erratic Tenneeseean.
Another strong factor cited in Reeds IA
v0r is his GOODNESS in hours of confusion, his
thoroughness in knowledge Of the rules, his
readiness of decision, and his adroitness in
turning his rulings to party account. The
prospect of a close party vote and a hot par
ty struggle leads those who are not the per-
sonal champions of any candidate, and have
no special fish to fry of their own, to be ex-
be equal to the most critical and exciting sit
uation, and who can never be muddled or
frightened. 1t is universally admitted that
in these qualities no candidate sizes up so
nearly to the requisite as Mr.. Reed.
Finding Out How the Railroads are
Run.
WASHINGTON, August 22.-The Inter-
state Commerce Commission have sent cir
culars to various general managers of rail-
roads. and organizations of railway en-
ployes, asking them to cooperate with the
commission in securing information bearing
upon the relations between the railway cor
porations and the employees. All the rail-
roads addressed are requested to state If an
insurance fund or guarantee fund of any
sort Is provided for employers, on which
they have right to draw in case Of sick
ness or accident or from which payment can
be made to families in case of death. Where
such funds exists, information is asked as
to the feeling in respect to it on the part of
the employees. The railroads are asked if
they provide eating or lodging houses or
reading rooms for train men when away
from home, also if provisions are made for
technical education in shops. The railroads
are requested to state whether or not there
is any recognized system of promotion in
the service of the company where it may be
expected that men will be induced to labor
for marked efficiency, also if
any special rules are in force to
insure competency in locomotive engineers
and other train men. The labor organiZa-
tions. are requested to give similar informa
tion In regard to any insurance project which
tion. They are asked if the order insists
upon any rule Of apprenticeship and for any
length Of term that firemen or brakemen
must serve before promotion; they are asked
whether there Is any recognition made OF
grades of service of engineers and conduct
ors whether appointments to foremanships
and like positions in the shops are made by
promotion or by bringing men from outside.
The Elixir Of Life.
WASHINGTON, August 12.-Dr. Hammond
denies that he has ever claimed that the
lambs broth preparation which he uses hy
podermically was an "elixir of life," as rep
resented in the newspapers. He considers it
merely new and, so far, remarkable tonic.
He further says: "If the fluid is stale and
putrid it will cause blood poisoning and
death, and 1t cannot be used by fool by any
means. Experimenters who do not under
stand the subject, had better look out or
they may have sad results from theiI work.
This reminds me of letter l have received
from man who offers to be my agent in the
sale of the fluid. Such proposition Is the
most absurd thing in the world. This sub
ject Is one that Is, or will be known to the
whole medical profession, and have never
hinted at any exclusive right to use the tluld.
Whatever my experiments develop will be at
the disposal of the whole profession. Any
other course would be quackery. Whatever
benefit there is in the discovery Of DR.. Brown
Sequard will be for the use of any one.
There is no "elixir" for sale by me, and nev-
er will be. The idea that this discovery Is
an elixir of life is false statement which
has been given currency by sensational news
papers,"
A Cent a Word Instead of Mill a
Word
WASHINGTON, August 12.-The Postmas-
ter General today sent instructions by tele-
graph to Acting Postmaster General Clark
son to authorize the officers Of the Treasury
Department to pay the Western Union Tele-
graph Co. one cent word for telegraph mes
sages.
TIchenor's Health
WASHINGTON, August 13.-Assistant Sec
retary Tichenor is somewhat better today,
and 40 bis oopdition will hermit il. will be