The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-01

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3O-[Speciall-
With the beginning of the last week
before the meeting of Congress repre-
sentatives are iockiug to Washington
in increasing numbers and their pres
ence is giving renewed interest to the
Speakersbip contest. Tho situation is
now beginning to assume clearer out
lines, and interesting developments
may result any day between this and
Saturday from consultations which arc
taking place. All five of tho avowed
candidates are now in Washington,
Latch OF Missouri, and his principal
WORKERS having arrived to-day and taken
headquarters at Wizards Hotel.
Expressed views and desires of the
candidates show plainly one unmistaka-
BILE fact in the contest, namely, that no
candidate at present has sufficient num-
Der OF pledged votes to make his cleo
ton certain. Crisp and Mills are each
very sanguine of winning and each ex-
press the belief that the contest will be
short, sharp and decisive
Their'aim is to bring about the with
drawal Of some Of the other aspirants
for the speakership, and with the votes
to be thereby gained. each hopes to
win on the second, If, indeed, not on the
first ballot Springer, Mcmillan and
Hatch express themselves as Of tho
opinion that the fight in the caucus will
be of considerable duration. Each of
these gentlemen says he is in the fight
TO the end and each sees i'll Il prolonged
hight fair chance of ultimate victory
Friends of Crisp said to-day that tier
eliminating all uncertain votes they
figured W votes on which they could
count. This list, they said, did not in
clude tho large vote they expected in
case any of the other candidates should
withdraw, nor % or 80 votes which thev
classed as ''unknown.". They say Crisp
is second choice of moro Congre ssmen
than any other candidate. They expect
at least 100 votes on the first ballot and
probably Crisp's election by or before
the second ballot.
Representative Catchings, one of
Crisp's principal lieutenants, said they
had transferred eight votes yesterday
from tho doubtful to the certain list,
and he was certain Crisp was we'll in
the lead. He did not believe it possi-
Bile for any combina ZION to be NJ de tina
would prevent Crisp's election.
Mills was in excellent spirits and con-
fldent of election.
How many ballots would there be +?
"Only one"
And yourselfspeaker >" "Of course. "
This is in brief the dialogue between
an Associated Press reporter and MIR.
Mills to-day. Mr.. Mills also said that
everything was progressing satisfac-
torily and things were Enthusiastically
shaping themselves in his favor. He
had quite long consultation with
Sherman lloar, of Massachusetts,
to-day and the New England delegation
is confidently looked to swell Mills vote
Mills has number of young men"
on his side and they are working ir-
dustriously. Mills himself would not
say anything about his strength in
figures, but there can be no doubt of
his confidence. lie didn't think it best
to mako any claims. Springer had
quito an array Of friends at his head
quarters and others are expected here
from Illinois to aid him. Davis, one of
his workers, said their presence was 10
show that Springer stood as represent
tative Democrat of the growing North
west and that he was strong not alone
in his district but throughout that sec
ton.
Davis said that Mills and Crisp claim
3D. many votes that it leaves nothing for
Springer. but that nevertheless
Springer's friends expect all the Demo
cratic votes of Illinois and nearly all
those of Michigan, Wisconsin, Mime
sofa and Iowa, besides others from
Indiana and elsewhere. Davis thought
the fight would last some time in the
caucus, and that Springer, starting with
good vote would gain as the fight pro-
crossed.
This is very nearly the same way Mr.
Mcmillan views the canvass. Tcnnes-
sees candidate also looks for good
stubborn contest, and in such fight he
believes that he has very good show.
He said the claims of about hundred
votes each for Mills and Crisp were
flamboyant, but no thought this natural
and had only good words for them. He
gained another working supporter to-day
in the arrival of Representative Stock
dale, Of Mississippi. McMillin said
besides Tennessee's solid vote, he ex-
pPcted to get good part Of the votes Of
Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi,
and West Virginia with votes from Vir-
ginia and scattering votes from other
States.
Accused of House Burning
I'll No,