The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-03
CRISP TAKES THE LEAD.
HE ALREADY HAS TWENTY VOTES
MORE THAN MILLS.

Mills-A Crisis Reeched.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 2,-Nothing more
having been heard from Judge Holman,
chairman Of the caucus. since he telegraphed
that his wife was i'll and he could not be
here Tuesday, as he expected. the candi-
dates for the speakership. through their
lieutenants, conferred and agreed together
this afternoon that the caucus should be
held Saturday afternoon at o'clock.
The speakership race becomes at once hot
and close to-day. The interest in it became
exciting. and while the candidates tried to
keep cool even Mr.. Crisp did not succeed In
being entirely calm. 1t was not the fact that
large proportion Of absentees came in to-
day which heightened the activity at all the
headquarters. 1t was the realization Of the
fact that crisis had been reached and
that the contest might be determined
before tomorrow night. 1t had
become evident to all the shrewder
observers who had not seen 1t before that
the fight was between. Messrs. Mills and
Crisp, and the friends of those gentlemen,
together with the doubtful members who
have been supporting Messrs. McMillin,
and Hatch, stirred up undoubtedly by the
friends of Messrs.. Mills and Crisp, who
we're not so tied up, were straining to be
free from their bonds.
SPRINGER LEA Ns TO CRISP.
Mr.. Crisp received assurances Tonight
that Mr.. Springer, who is angry at the at
tempt to make him withdraw. would In the
event that any of his supporters left him
for Mr.. Mills, throw his strength, as far as
he could, for Mr.. Crisp. Mr.. Crisp thinks
he will surely be elected on the first ballot.
Senator Colquitt and the rest of the
Georgians, including Representatives
Blount, Livingston and Lester, except
Representatives Turner, Everett, Lawson
and Watson, arrived to-day and were all at
Mr.. Crisp's headquarters in a hopeful frame
OF mind tonight. Senator ColQuitt said
that he had no doubt of MIR. Crisps election.
He had now 81 votes pledged, and would
profit by any break which occurred among
the friends Of Messrs. Springer, McMillin
and Hatch. Mr.. Crisp was in good humor
and jested with bis friends in a most cheer
ful fashion. Mr.. Turner is the only Georgian
Mr.. Crisp has not heard from except Mr..
Watson, but his vote is counted on con-
fidently for Mr.. Crisp.
TRYING TO BREAK sPRINGERs RANKS.
Side by side with the activity of the
speakership ieutenants as they hurried
from hotel to hotel, to the railway stations,
to the capitol and in and out Of the head
quarters hunting new and doubtful ar
rivals ran the most important and interest,"
ing activity Of those lieutenants who were
trying TO precipitate Tonight the break up
In the forces Of Messrs. Springer, McMil-
lin and Hatch. The chief effort In this
direction was undoubtedly made by friends
of Mr.. Mills, who think the large majority
of the three secondary candidates legiti-
mately theirs, and think IL they can once
break in upon them they will all go. Mr..
Crisps lieutenants, recognizing the fact
that Mr.. Crisp, too, had votes among the
followers Of tho eaOOndariaa xyara ftru
to free them at the same time. The strong
est assault was made upon the Springer men,
most Of whom were from the northwest.
ARGUMENT OF THE MILLS MEN.
The Mills men say to them: "You are
elected as tariff reformers, your legitimate
place is with Mr.. Mills. He needs you now
more than he will ever need you again. It's
no use putting of your support of him until
the second, third or fourth ballot. Now Is
your time. Tell Mr.. Springer frankly that
you cannot support him any longer. Give
him the chance to withdraw gracefully. II
he doesn't don't waste your votes on him."
THE TALK EFFECTIVE.
The supporte of all three secondary can
dldates were shaken by these efforts. They
favored and had to be appealed to to stand
up to the fight by those of their number
who were personally devoted to the candi-
dates, but up to 9 O'Clock they had not
lead off could not find any body to bell the
cat, that is to tell Mr.. Springer the cheerful
and confident news that he could not be
elected and that they must leave him. They
said they must await the return of three of
their number who had gone to Philadelphia
to see the launching and would not be back
before 10 o'clock tonight.
NO CHANGE IN THE SITUATION.
BY the Associated Press
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2-There seemed to
De practically little change In the speaker
ship situation this afternoon. All five Of
tne candidates continued to express cbeer-
ful confidence. There were no signs of any
Withdrawals prior to the first ballot, and
nothing to demonstrate the ability of any
one OF the candidates to transfer his
strength to another in the event of
his withdrawal. The friends of Rep
resentatives Crisp and Mills continue
very sanguine of winning, and alike are
working for an early termination OF the
contest. They still say they expect to see a
nreak among the supporters Of Representa-
tlves Springer, McMilIin and Hatch after
she 6rss or second ballot At Mr.. Crisp's
headquarters 1t was said that two or three
votes had been transferred to him from the
uouotful column. Mr.. Mills is hopeful Of q
considerable accession of strength to come
between now and Saturday.
CRISP DOING WELL.
There seemed to be a general disposition
Cnis afternoon to admit that Mr.. Crisp was
at present doing exceedingly well, but his
opponents insisted that he had reached the
unit OF his strength and would be unable to
optaln majority of the total vote.
a, Messrs. McMillin and Springer say that
,sney viii keep in the fight to the end. be-
11sSVing tnat the contest between Messrs.
uhilis and Crisp will have no result except
hecessltate the choice of another candi-
oate' In which event each of these gentle
A19n nopes to be the choice of the caucus.
mr. Hatch, though not so active in the
hope ''''A''"' 'p'-''A ''AN
MILLS LEADS.
During the afternoon estimates were
naoe OF the strength of the several candi
,,i uases. Mr. Crisp's friends counted between
n.lnety-three and ninety-six names. which
sney said were certain to be cast for Geor
sas representative on the first ballot.
SS9nnsservative but earnest supporter of Mr.
aiiis said that Mr.. Mills had nearly seven
V-nye votes. The Congressman wa
conndent that the number would be In
creased by Saturday and expressed himself
S Ssangulne of the final result. The friends Of
5as. as. Mills assert that he viii gain most from
oelecelon In the ranks Of other contestants
duu tney look for his election by the with.
laval lava, OF other candidates. Mr.. Crispt
supporters are no less earnest in their as
boTtlOQ that Whau rha