The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-04

increasing ACTIVITY, ana III Is eV1uenC
that the crisis is rapidly approaching.
Gossip is no longer directed so much to
the relative claims of candidates as to
speculation regarding tho probable
withdrawal of weaker aspirants.
AT tho various headquarters of the
five candidates this morning it was
conceded that from the present indica-
ton. with every man remaining in the
ficld,no nomination would be possible on
tho first ballot, with four-ffths of the
Democratic Congressman in tho city.
This morning indefinite claims are no
longer possible, since nearly every man
is now quito free to express his prefer
ence for a favorite candidate.
The relative position Of the various
candidates at the present writing seem
to be as follows Crisp, first; Mills, Sec
ond; Springer, third; McMillin, fourth,
and Hatch, fifth. Although the actual
figures which their respective followers
give out do not seem in any case to be
fully borne out by the facts, only upon
one general proposition are they all
agreed-that with every candidate in
the field nomination is impossible on
first ballot. But neither Mills nor
Crisp comedies that every candidate
will be still in the field whom the eau
Gus convenes next Saturday.
Strenuous efforts are being made
to-day to effect the withdrawal of GER
tain of the minor candidates by work
ing disintegration in their forces. From
early morning rumors have been rife
that tho day would witness the assimila-
ton of all that is vital to the candidacy
Of Springer, McMillin and Hatch by
Mills and Crisp.
Up to this hour, however, events have
only to very limited extent verified
these rumors. Only in the candidacy OF
Springer have there been any disquiet-
ing evidences of possible disintegra-
ton.
The Iowa delegation, which up to this
time has been unfaltering in its allegi-
ance to Springer, this morning met and
again Expressed its individual and collec-
tive preferences for Springer, blu decided
that should the events indicate that
Crisp might be nominated on the first
ballot the vote of the entire delegation
would be thrown to Mills ore tho con-
clusion of the first ballot to prevent
that result. Representative Hayes, the
spokesman of the delegation, said to an
Associated Press reporter:
I'VE desire it understood that we are
for Springer just as long as there is
possibility of his election. When, how
ever, that possibility no longer exists,
should that time ever arrive, we are
for Mills. We are unanimous and will
vote as a unit. Should it become evident
between now and the date of the eau
Gus that Crisp, through the detection of
the supporters of McMillin or Hatch, or
fr0y N ,,,1,o
to be nominated on the first ballot, we
will even up the initial ballot and cast
our votes solidly for Mills to prevent
such result. We will do this, not be-
cause we are any less loyal to Springer,
but because we shall have been con-
WINGED that our fight is ga forlorn hope"
and we will desire as the best next
thing to assist in the election of Mills.
eve will do this not because of any
personal dislike to Crisp, but because
we are convinced that the sentiment OF
the great Northwest is for Mills as op-
posed to Crisp. Remember. however,
we must be convinced of Mr.. Springer's
defeat and the imminency of Crisp's
election ere we desert the Illinois can
di1ate."
Other followers of Springer do not
seem to be at ali alarmed by the conclu-
sions Of the Iowa delegation, as.they say
the contingency upon which their de-
sertion is to be based will never arise.
An awkward dispute has arisen to mar
the serenity of the contest, and it is
possible some bad feeling may be en-.
gendered before it can be amicably ad-
justed.
Holman, of Indiana, who is chairman
of the caucus, is not expected in the
city until tomorrow evening, and the
formal call for the caucus has not boon
issued. 1t has been generally reported
that the caucus will be held at . D. m.
Saturday, and ttSs hour seems to please
all of the candidates, except Mills.
That gentleman this morning de-
clared that 7.30 p. m. should be the
hour named. For Years." said he,
'caucuses of the house have been held
in the evening and it would be unjust
to all of the absent members to depart
from the precedent and call the caucus
for the afternoon. There are members
of the House who will not be here by 9
p. m. Saturday, because they naturally
presume the caucus will be held in tho
evening. 1t would be great injustice
to these men to change the hour"
At the suggestion Of Mills, his lieu
tenant. Breckenridge, of Arkansas, pre-
pared paper calling for the caucus for
1870 Saturday evening, and proposed
that in the absence of Holman it should
be signed by the five candidates for the
speakership as the best solution of the
question.
Inquiry at the headquarters OF the
other candidates at once developed the
opposition to the plan of Mills. "For
my part" said Springer, 81 am in favor
of having the caucus meet at the same
hour the House is accustomed to meet
~ o'clock noon. In any event / am
opposed to calling it later than Q p. m.