New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-15
THE SPEAKERSHIP FIGHT.
WHAT ONE OF THE CANDIDATES WILL DO
IN RETURN FOR A SINGLE VOTE.
PROMISING NOT TO RECOGNIZE ExSPEAKE1
REED-ArrITUDE OF ANOTHER AsPrRANr-
MILIlS's FRIENDS CONFIDENT.


tBY TELEGRAPH TO TKIBUSEl
Washington, Nov. 14.-Each day brings fresh
indications that the Speskership contest Of this
year is to be one Of the most bitter and stubborn
fights of the kind ever seen before the organiza-
ton of Congress. Already, with the Demo-
cratic caucus three weeks away, the gloves have
been cast aside, and bare knuckes are shown.
To-day from one camp comes this story:
Some time ago Of the new Democratic
Representatives-eect from Ohio received letter
from one of the leading candidates for Speaker,
asking for his support. lie replied in nom
cOmmittal vein, but in his letter he remarked
that he would support for Speaker that man who, II
elected, would not recognize Tom Reed under
any circumstances. The prompt response from
the candidate in substance this:
Then you will support me for Speaker"
1t is said that the Ohio Representativee,ect
allowed the substance of this correspondence TO
leak out, and now the friends and partisans Of
another leading candidate say that il he is elected
he will not only appoint Mr. Reed member Of
the Committee on Rules and the Committee on
Ways and Means but also will make him chair
man of committee Speaker Keifcr did il
the case of ex-Spcaker Randall in the XLYIIth
Congress. and will recognize him in every way
leader Of the minority. There is reason to
doubt this story, which came rom Democrat
whose sources Of information are Of the best, and
who naturally takes an active interest in the
pending contest. lie gave the names Of the two
candidates in question and Of the Ohio Repre-
sentative-eiect; but The Tribune correspondent
withholds them for the present, in order to avoid
the imputaton that lie is anxious or willing to
stir up strife between leading Democratic candi-
dates for the Speakership. The contest promises
to be bitter enough without any help from Re-
publicans.
A friend Of Colonel Mills to-day said "Hc is
sure TO win. No combination can be formed
which will defeat him; he is as well in the lead
now as Mr.. Reed at this time two years ago.
" How many votes are pledged to him now!'
asked The Tribune correspondent.
About eighty-eght votes in ALL No, there
will be no break from him in Missouri except
Tarsney. Bland has been kicking some Of late.
on account of Mis's declaration in favor of post
poning free coinage legislation until after the
Presidential election: but he will come round all
right; there is no other place for him to go, In
fact. Illinois will leave Springer for Mills after
the first ballot. Wisconsin and Minnesota are
both solid for him Michigan will be divided, part
of the votes going to Judge Crisp The two Cali
fornia men pledged to Mills, and have informed
him by telegraph that they will come to WASH
ington to help him whenever he gives the word.
He will receive seven or eight votes, and perhaps
more from Ncw-Yorll; believe that the Brooklyn
men are all for him, that Tracey, Greenleaf and
Lockwood are committed in his favor and that
he will receive the support of several other men
from the interior Of the State. majority Of the
Massachusetts, men will support him also-in fact,
think he will receive the majority of the New.
England votes"
" How many votes do you think Judge Crisp
has pledged to hm?'
About seventy. lie and Mills will have about
| two-thirds of the caucus on the first ballot and
the rest of the votes will he divided among tho
other four candidates-McMllin, Springer, Hatch
and Bynum."
Some people think that Colonel Mills must be
nominated on the first ballot If he is to win," re-
marked the correspondent.
oh, there is nothing in that; he will receive
majority on the second ballot, il not the first
one"
OF course the other candidates will hoot at
this estimate but there is no doubt that it cor
rectly represents the hopes and expectations of the
friends Of the Texas candidate at this time. 1t
Is whispered in some quarters that the objective
point Of Mr.. Springers candidacy is the chair
manship OF the Committee on Appropriations and
there seems to be disposition not to REGARD his
seriousness which it ought to provoke Now this
is wrong. Mr.. Springer Is serious-is in dead
earnest, in fact-and the men who make light Of
his efforts now may he obliged to sing in
different key the night OF the caucus. II they
do not, there will be at least one disappointed
Democratic statesman in that caucus