, 1891-12-08
CRISP WINS THE GAVEL.
Georgia's Favorite Carries oil
the Coveted Prize.
Congressman Mills Friends
Make a Magnificent Fight.
Mr.. Springer's Withdrawal
the Signal For the Break.
The Most Exciting Contest in
Many Years.


The chamber presented a bright appear
ance notwithstanding the gloominess OF
the day. The furniture had been reup-
holstered and the blue covering of the
desks contrasted pleasantly with the new
carpet and Aoaral designs of more or less
beauty.
Not since the forty-fourth congress has
any holdover clerk. in performing a mi
lar duty, faced so many new workers in
the the Legislative field. The clerk imme-
diatcly proceeded to call the roll. As Mr..
Reed responded to his name his Repub-
lIcaE colleagues gave him a round OF an.
plause. The clerk having announced the
names OF 326 members, the house imme-
diately adjourned until noon tomorrow.
WASHINGTON, Dec. THE twenty
second ballot was destined to mark the
the first significant change of the day in
the speakershIp contest. Gable of Illinois
abandoned Springer aud voted for Mills.
Newberry also deserted Springer for the
Texan. Tarsney left Hatch and voted
for Crisp. During the succeeding ballot
the excitement was intense, Shively a
few DAYS ago served notice on Gable and
Newberry that whenever they deserted
Springer for Mills he and his friends
would offset his by voting for Crisp.
This threat was carried out by Shively by
a stout changing to Crisp. Cobb and
Dearman of Missouri then left Hatch and
voted tor Mills
Immediately there was the widest ex-
element. Catchings and others of the
Crisp forces rushed from the hall and
into the headquarters of Hatch. There
was a bricf conference and Catchings re-
went up Hatch is to withdraw; Hatch
is to go to Crisp They were not mis-
taken, for the entrance Of Hatch into the
caucus ~could have but one meaning.
Hatch voted for Crisp, and Byrnes and
Wilson of his state followed his lead.
This gave Crisp the lead by five votes.
The twenty third ballot resulted: Crisp
100, Mills go, 'McMillin 10, Springer 10,
Stevens l..
On the twenty. fourth ballot Springer
lost another vote and Crisp reaped the
profit.
McClelland of Indiana followed the ex-
ample OF Shively and voted for Crisp.
This was the only change but it gave
bTlsp lHt ltdu Nv 81 Nblto OFtI I'M
Then the assault upon Springer's forces
ceased their terrific efforts aud made a
break for McMillin's ranks. Tie mem
bers rushed hlther and thither but their
efforts were in vain. The 25th, 10Th aud
o7th ballots failed to show a change.
Then recess was taken until s p. IN. A
two hours interval was industriously
utilized bv the candidates and their man
ayers. Springer and McNlllin held a
hearty conference and subsequently dined
together, with the result that they de
cided to act together in he termination of
the contest should it become inevitable
that either Crisp or Mills must be elected.
Springer and his supporters held a Sc
cret conference at which Springerthanked
his followers for their loyal support and
stated the belief that either Crisp or Mills
would b. elected. You gentlemen have
been loyal to me" said he, land it is
now my time to be loyal to You. am
prepared to throw my influence and vote
tor either of the candidates you NAV de-
sire to support as a unit, with a positive
understanding with the man we may elect
that [ want nothing. but my friends must
be well treated. Applause, l leave
you to decide upon the candidate you de-
sire to support as a second choice and my
vote and influence is at your disposal. -
[Applause.
After Spriuger's withdrawal the dele
CATION discussed briefly the questions of
policy and finally decided that they would
not wall themselves of Springer's gener-
osity, but would leave him entirely free to
vote as he desired on the decisive candi
date and they would each do the same.
From then on Springer was greatly IN
demand. He was III turn importuned by
Crisp, by CONGRESSMAN johnson of the
Mills following and by Col. Jones, editor
of the St. Louis Republic, but the amount
OF solace and encouragement he gave
either or any OF them could not be
learned.
That most of McMillin's followers were
decidedly pledged to a second choice
when he should withdraw, and that
Springer and his immediate friends held
the KEY to the situation was the general
opinion, and the first ballot of the even
ing was awaited with breathless interest.
The first change came when the name of
Burrows, one Of %Springer's Illinois sup
porters, was reached. That gentleman
voted for Crisp, and a few minutes Later
another of SprinCer's Illinois friends
voted Tor the Georgia candidate. Babhitt
and Miller of Wisconsin went to the Mills
forces. CTisp was now within eleven
votes OF the nomination, but McMillin's
nineteen men were still unmoved AMI no
election was possible while they remained
loyal to the Tennessee candidate.
During all this time McMlllin had been
holding frequent conferences with his col
leagues. On the following ballot was
one change fraupht which was very DO
tent to Mills. Mr.. Stahlnecker who had
been steadily voting for Mills changed to
Crisp; Rabbit of Wisconsin returned to
Springer, so the Goth ballot resulted:
Crisp, l04; Mills. "a; McMillin. 10;
Springer, Q; Stevens, l.
At the beginning of the thirtieth ballot,
and before the call was begun, McMillin,