The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-06

WASHINGTON, Dec 5-The most remark
able contest, In the opinion Of old and ex-
perienced congressman, for the Office or
speaker OF the house of representatives
that has ever taken place for many years
reached the stage of its last day this morn
Ing. with no material change in the stub
born situation. The attack on Mr..
Springer's forces, designed to bring about
the wit hdrawai OF the Illinois candidate
continued, but Mr. Springer said this
morning that he would not be forced to re-
tire by defections IN his own ranks; that
he was resolved to stand by his colors and
to go b-fore the caucus. Messrs. Fithian
and Forman this morning decided TO vote
for Mr.. Mills from the start, but recon-
sideration of this determination took place
before the meeting of the caucus.
At Mr. McMilIin's headquarters there
was an appearance of hopetulness despite
the raids that had been made upon his fol-
lowers by the friends of Mr.. Mills and Mr..
Crisp. 'Tbere is nothing for me to say"
said Mr.. McMillin, except that l am still
in the race and expect to win after the
forces OF Mills and Crisp have gone TO
pieces"
Mr. Hatch was also still hopeful of sue
cess. "It must now be apparent 10 every
body" said he that neither Mr.. Crisp
nor Mr. Mills has sufficient votes to be
nominated so long as there is a single
third candidate in the field. | am third
candidate who expects to stay TO the end,
until the gradual disintegration of the
forces of the other candidates gives me
enough votes to nominate. Strange things
will happen between now and o'clock
this afternoon"
The two leaders in the race both ex-
pressed confidence of winning, but regard
ed the situation as serious and critical
1t was realized that in the event of a
struggle between Crisp and Mills alone
few votes might change the result and the
fight was earnest and intense. 1t was gen.
orally believed that not more than 220
members would go into the caucus, and
Mr.. Richardson of Tennessee, Mr.. McMil-
Inns prlncipale Lieutenant, said that he
did not believe that more than 215 would
be present. y member of the Illinois state
committee said that neither Mr.. Crisp nor
Mr. Mills could poll majority of this vote,
provided fifteen of Mr. Springer's support
ers would stand by him to the end, and he
declared that Mr.. Springer held the key TO
the situation.
THE CAUCUS.
WASHINGTON, Dec 5-The Democratic
caucus met at 2 O'Clock today in the hall
of the house of representatives 1t was
agreed that nominations of candidates
should be made by name only and that
ballotipg should be viva voce, the names
DCluB Cdli6O in OIuGj 4uO uONlSO duu !
other rules of procedure adopted were |
that a majority of all the votes cast should |
be necessary TO n choice, nominations to be /
made in the following order: First, |
speaker; second, clerk; third, sergeant-at- |
arms; fourth, doOrkeeper; fifth, postmas |
ter; sixth, chaplain On all questions |
other than nominations speeches were to
be limited to five minutes. The rules of |
the tiIueth congress, SO far as applicable, |
We're TO govern the proceedings of the |
caucus. The rules were adopted by accla-
mation and the various candidates were
placed IN nomination. Mr.. Mills was |
nominated by Mr. Culberson of Texas.
Mr.. Crisp BY Mr.. Bloun6 of Georgia. Mr..
Springer by Mr.. Newberry of Illinois,
Mr.. McMillin by Mr.. Richardson of Ten
nessee and Mr.. Hatch by Mr.. Bland of
Missouri. Balloting then began.
First ballot-Crisp 81, Mills IS, Springer
81, McMillin Is, Hatch IA, Stevens l.
In this ballot Mr. O'Neill of Missouri |
voted for Mills. All the other Missourians
voting-Arnold, Bland, Byrnes, Cobb
Dearmond, Dockery, Heard, Mansur Nor
ton, Tarsney and Wilson-voted for
Hatch.
The first interruption was by Mr. Will
son of Missouri, who at the conclusion of
the sixth ballot, moved that recess be
taken until O'Clock p. m. This PROPOSE
tion, however, was Overwhelmingly re-
jected.
ped 10y the fact that three Of his own state
delegates deserted him and went TO Mills
on the first ballot. These were Fithian,
Foreman and Lane, and they were subse-
quently joined by WIke, Scott and Will
Jams, who also deserted their candidate
and voted steadily for Mills.
The first man to shift from one of the
leading candidates to the other WAS
krebbs OF Pennsylvania, who, at the re-
quest of Mr.. Mutchler of the same state,
voted for Mr. Mills. On Il subsequent
ballot, however, Mr.. Krebbs returned to
Crisp's support
On the ninth ballot Mr.. Gantz of Ohio
changed from Springer to Crisp. in order
as he said, 10 partially offset the action of
some of Springer's Illinois supporters, ;
who had deserted 10 Mills.
III was after O'clo X ere the tenth ballot
was concluded and the members began to
get very weary, as ballot after ballot
passed without showing material change. !
The caucus had now been in session over
SIN hours, with no prospect Of adjourn
meut and the members began II pair off
Tor nIteen minutes At a time, in order to {
take a hasty lunch. The incessant call of
the roll told weArily on Blanchard and
Anderson, and alternates We're selected, In
the persons of Caminetti of California and ]
RuSk of Maryland
During all this time constant pressure I :
was being eNerted by the various leaders /
10 scatter the forces of Springer. McMilin
snd Hatch, but the hardy followers OF
these gentlemen stood resoute Various
members began 10 discuss the advisability 4
of choosing candidate for temporary
speaker and postponing the selection of a 4
permanent speaker until Monday, but the
proposition failed To find general favor. I
because OF lear OF n contest over the selec-
Uon of a temporary speaker On the
twelfth ballot Mills and Hatch held their {
own. Crisp and McNi.liu losU one each
while Springer showed gain OF three I
After the seventeenth ballot. W h'ch showed I
no change, the caucus on motion Of O'Nrl
OF Massachusetts,, adjourned until 10 !
o'clock Monday. The motion carried |
unanimously, those in favor OF fighting il {
being in hopeless minority and Offering
no opposition.
IL was the candidates understanding , |
that the caucus would adjourn to meet J
aSain immediately after the formal open
ing ot the house for the first session OF the
tIIty-second congress Tue members. |
however, showed a decided sentiment in ! ,
iSyor Of another attempt 10 elect spes krr :
before toe house convened, aud, according !
", voted an amendment changing the
time oi he meeting OF the caucus TO 10
O'Clock Monday
Seventeenth and last ballot-Crisp %
Mills 81, Springer IL, McAlilin Ig. HatcD
D, Stevens l. ,
THE REPUBLICANS
WASHINGTON, Dec 5-The Republican =
mem bers of rha housa mat thss a,-.,i,., :, (