The record-union., 1891-12-04
The Speakership Contest Showing
Increased Activity.
NO NOMINATION. PROBABLE ON THE
FIRST BALLOT
The Democratic Members to Hold
of Postmaster-Genera Wanamaker
He Recommends the Adaptation of
the Telephone and Telegraph to the
Postal System.
Special 10 the Rrconp-Us1oS.

Special TO the REcoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The Speaker
chip contest to-day shows increasing ac
tivity, and it is evident to all that crisi:
is rapidly approaching. Gossip is NJ
longer directed so much to the relative
claims of the candidates as to speculation
regarding the probable withdrawal of tht
weaker aspirants. AT the various head.
quarters Of the five candidates this morn
ing it was conceded from present indica
tons, with every man remaining in The
field, no nomination can be possible or
the first ballot. With four-fifths of the
Democratic Congressman in the city thi:
morning indefinite claims are no longer
possible, since nearly every man is now
quite free to express his preference for his
favorite candidate.
The relative positions OF the variou;
candidates at present writing seem to bt
as follows: Crisp first, Mills second
Springer third, Mcmillan fourth anC
Hatch fifth.
Strenuous efforts are being made to-
day to effect the withdrawal OF certain
minor candidates by working disin.
tegration of their forces. only in the can.
didacy of Springer have there been any
diSquleting evidences of a possible disin-
tegratiOn. The Iowa delegation, which
up to this time has been unfaltering in its
allegiance to Springer, this morning met
and again expressed it's individual and
collective preferences for Springer, but
decided should events indicate that Crisp
might be nominated on the first ballot
the vote of the entire delegation would
thrown n
the first ballot to prevent that result.
Representative Hayes, spok esman o
the delegation, said to the Associated Pres:
reporter: I'VE desire it understood tina
we are for Springer, and just as long a.
there is possibility of his election we are
unanimous and will vote as unit. Bu
should 1t become evident between now
and the date OF the caucus that Crisp is
likely to be nominated on the first ballot
we Will, even upon the initial ballot, cas-
our votes solidly for Mills to prevent suci
a result. We will do this, because we
are convinced the sentiment of the grea
Northwest is for Mills, as opposed tc
Crisp.'
The other followers of Springer do no
seem to be at all alarmed by the conclu.
sions of the Iowa delegation, as they say
the contingency upon which their deser-
ton is to be based will never arise. Mr.
Springer's adherents are encouraged CO.
day by the decision of the entire Michi-
gan delegation, with the exception o1
Chipman, TO support their candidate
This delegation Will have a formal meet
ing tomorrow afternoon and will en-
GeaVor to act as a unit. Springer still
claims tifty-seven votes, and is counting
on the support of Holman OF Indiana, but
the other candidates do not concede him
over thirty-tive or forty.
The friends Of Mills are hopeful OF
transferring nearly all the votes now
pledged to Springer to their candidate
and on the belief of success in this en-.
deavor they express confidence of vic
tory, relying upon the impetus given tC
Mills by the announcement OF great ac-
cession of votes from the West and
Northwest, to rally to their standard
nearly all the doubtful votes, and to cause
breaks from other candidates on the part
OF representatives who wish to be on the
side of the winning candidate. The ad-
Lerents Of the two leaders express di-
Tectly antagonistic views.
The probabilities of Springer's with
drawal is being discussed, and also of the
result OF such withdrawal
An ardent supporter of Crisp said he
did not see how it was possible to bea
Crisp, even if Springer were able anC
willing, neither of which is believed Il
be the case, 10 throw his entire strength
10 Mills.
l. ueIIDG1
ing out his full strength, and that in an
ticlpation of the announcement of gains
10 Mills, Crisp has some votes in reserve
which he has assurances he can count on
If needed, while Mills is working for z
sudden and large increase in his vote.
AT Hatch's headquarters this morning
everything was quiet.
1t has generally been reported here that
the caucus would be held at 2 p M. Sat.
urday. This hour seems to please all the
candidates except Mr.. Mills, who wants
the hour TO be 7:30 P. NJ. Saturday. In
case the candidates are unable to agree
Mr.. Holman of Indiana, Chairman Of the
caucus. will probably be wired for de.
cision.
The three minor candidates, each a:
steadtast as ever, remain in the field, anC
the followers of each express the same
hope that they will be elected.
The statement of the Iowa delegation
who have been for Springer, that thew, in
order to defeat the election of Crisp
would desert Springer and vote for Mills
caused Springer's Indiana delegation. led
by Congressman Shively, to hold a short
caucus. At the conclusion of the caucus
Shively announced to the Iowa delega-
ton that their desertion of Springer
would be the signal for the Indiana men
to vote solidly for Crisp, who is their Sec
ond choice. The announcement was q
lHuuuST-cidp 10 bilo iowa QelcgaLlOn.
During the afternoon Hayes, the leader
of the Iowa men, after short conference
with Mills, SAID; 81 am not prepared tc
take the responsibility of being tho frs
man to desert Springer. The present in.
tentions are to remain with him to the
end unless the break is lead by some
other triends.'' This is interpreted tc
mean that Fithian, Forman, Newberry
and Wike, all of Illinois. must first de.
sert Springer in favor Of Mills
a strenuous effort Will be made to-
morrow to unite the Alabama delegation
on Crisp and Michigan on Springer. L
is impossible 10 ascertain the complexion
Of the Wisconsin delegation, and q gooc
deal of missionary work is being done il
that direction.
Senator Palmer of Illinois arrived thi.
evening. He visited Mr. Springer:
headquarters, where a large number o
friends called to see him.
The caucus has been called to meet at
p. NJ. Saturday.
POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
annual Report of Postmaster-Gener
Wanamaker.