The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-04
FIVE [I7'T[.t' | CANDIDATES.
All Hustling Vigorously Among the
Mem bsrs : Elect to the
Next Congress.
But After the Caucus Is Over There
Will Be Only One
Left. ..
Crisp Thought to he in the Lcnd-A Pros
pcctlye Break In springer's Fol-
lowing Avoided. -


contest to-day showed an increasing &C.
tiyity, and it is evident to all that crisis
ia rapidly approaching. Gossip is NO
longer directed SO much to tho relative
claims Of the candidates as to speculation
regarding tho withdrawal of the weaker
aspirants. At the various headquarters Of
the tivo candidates this morning it was con-
ceded from present indications with every
man remaining in the field that no nomlna
ton would be possible on the first ballot.
With four fifths OF the democratic con :
gressmen in the city this morning indefinite
claims are NO longer possible, since nearly
every man is now quite free to express his
preference for his favorite candidate. Ths
relative positions of ths various candidates
at the present writing stems to be as fol-
lows: Crisp first, Mills second, Springer
third, Mcmillan fourth, and Hatch ffth
Strenuous efforts were made to-day to
effect the withdrawal of certain minor can
didates by working for the disnte9ration
of their forces. Only In the candidacy OF
Mr.. Springer have there bsen any dis
quieting evidences of u possible disintegra-
ton. .. -.1 r..
The Iowa delegation, which, up to the
present time had been unfaltering in its
allegiance to Springer, this morning met
again and expressed it's individual and col!
lective preference for the Illinois man. but
decided that, should events indicate that
Crisp might be nominated on the first bal
lot, the vote of the entire delegation should
be thrown to Mills before the conclusion OF
the first ballot. TO prevent that result,
Representative Hayes, spokesman of the
delegation, said to an Associated press re-
porter: "Ws desire it understood that we
are for Springer just as long as there is any
possibility Of his election; We are unani-
nous and will vote as q whit. Should it be-
some evident between now and the date of
the caucus that Crisp is likely to be nonii-
nated on the first ballot, we will even up on
the initial ballot and cast our votes aolidly
for Mills to prevent such result. We will
do this because we are convinced that the
sentiment OF the great northwest is for
Mills as opposed to Crisp" aaa
The other followers of Springer do not
seem to be at all alarmed BY the conclusion
Of the Iowa delegation. springer's adhe-
rents were encouraged to-day by the de-
cision Of the entire Michigan delegation,
with the exception of Chapman, to support
their candidate This delegation will have
formal meeting tomorrow afternoon,
and will endeavor to act as unit. Springer
olai,ms ffty-seven votes, and is counting on
the support of Holman, of Indiana, but the
ether candidates do not concede him over
thirty-fve or forty. The friends .>of Mills
are hopeful of transferring nearly all of
the votes now pledged to Springer to their
candidate, and on belief of success in this
endeavor. they express confidence of VIC
tory, relying upon the impetus given to
Mills by the announcement of this great
accession of votes from the west and north
west. to rally 70 their standard nearly all
doubtful votes and cause breaks from
other candidates on the part of Representa-
tives who wish TO be on the side of the win
ming candidates. Adherents of the two
leaders express directly antagonistic views
as to the probability OF Springes's with
drnwal being forced, and also OF the re-
suit of such withdrawal. An ar
don't supporter of Crisp said he
did not Geo how it was .Jossible to beat
Crisp even if Springer were able and will
ling (neihher of which he believed to be the
case) to throw his entire strength TO Mills.
1t ia evident that neither leader is giving
out his full strength. and that in anticipa-
tion of the announcement of gains to Mills,
Crisp has some votes in reserve which he
has assurances he can count on if needed,
while Mills is working for sudden and
large increase in his vote. At Hatch's
headquarters everything was quiet.