Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-12-03
CRISP IN THE LEAD TODAY
MILLS A GOOD SECOND TO
THE GEORGIAN.

Sprlnger's Friends in Iowa he,
ginning to weaken and Declare
for MiIls-F0ur-FiNhs of the
Democratic congressman In
washington.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The speakership
contest today shows increasing activity
and it is evident to all that crisis is
apidly approaching.
The gossip is no longer directed so
much to the relative claims of the can
didates, as to speculation regarding the
probable withdrawal of the weaker as
pirants
At the various headquarters of the five
candidates. this morning, it was con-
rcded that, from present Indications with
every man remaining in the field, no
nomination would be possible on the
first ballot. With four hfths of the dem
ocratic congressman 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
fauorite candidate
The relative positions of the various
candidates at the present writing seems
to be 10 follows:
Crisp first. Mills second, Springer
third. McMillin fourth, and Hatch fifth.
although the actual figures which their
respectively followers give out do not
seem in every case to be fully borne out by
the facts. Only upon one general propo
sition are they all agreed, that with
every candidate in the field a nomination
is improba bic upon the first ballot. But
neither Mills nor Crisp comedies that
every candidate will he still in the field
when the caucus convenes next Satur-
day.
Strenuous efforts are being made today
to effect a withdrawal OF certain of the
minor candidates by working disin-
tcgratlon in their forces. From early
morning rumors have been rife that the
dav would witness the assimilation OF
all that is vital to the candidacy OF
Springer, McMillin and Hatch. BY
Mills and Crisp. Up to this hour, how
extent verified these rum0rS.
Only it, the candidacy of Springer
has there been any disquIeting evidence
OF possible disnteGration. The Iowa
delegation which up to this time has
been untaltering in its allegiance to
Springer, this morning met and again
expressed its individual and collective
preferences tor Springer. but decided
that should events indicate that Crisp
might be nominated on the first ballot,
the vote of the entire delegation would
he thrown to Mills on on the first bal
lot. To prevent that result Representa-
tive Haves. spokesman of the delegation
said to the as s,ociated press reporter to-
day:
We desire it understood that we arc
tor Springer just as long as there is a
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 unit Should it become evident be-
tween now and the date OF the caucus
that Crisp, through the detection
of supporters OF McMillin or
ftatCn, OF from any dCStSSloI
whatever, is likely to be nominated on
the first ballot, we will even upon the
initial ballot cast our votes solidly for
Mills to prevent such result. We will do
this, not because we are any less loval
to'Springcr, but because We shall nave
been convinced that our fight is Il for
lorn hope and we will desire, as the next
best thing, to assist in the election OF
Mills.
I'VE will do this not because of any
personal dislike to Crisp, but because we
are convinced the sentiment OF the great
northwest is Tor Mills as opposed to
Crisp. Remember, however, we must
be convinced OF Mr. Springer S defeat and
the immiuency of Crisp's election ere We
desert our candidate"
Other followers of Springer do not seem
to be at all alarmed by the conclusions
of the Iowa delegation as hey say thv
contingency apon which their desertion
is to be based will never arise,