Huntsville gazette., 1891-12-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Political Points from Head
quarters.


Speakership ofthe House Much
interest exists here in the Speaker
ship contest. The nomination OF
Reid by the Republicans was fore
gone conclusion and excites no COM
ment, but not so with the Democratic
nomination which means an election.
The contest is doubtful and earnest.
More than usual Importance is at.
tached to the nomination because of
its real or supposed relations to the
Presidential nomination. Mills is
preferred by Cleveland's friends and
Grips by the supporters Of The other
man, be he Hill, Flower or German.
Mills was early in the race and i
claimed to have been most promi-
nently identified with the anti tariff
revival and with western Democratic
victories. On the other hand it is
urged that he favored by the Repub-
licans, that he is excitable, and that
is for free trade rather than tariff
reform.
For Crisp it is claimed that he
fairly represents tariff reform and
that he is less likely owing to his al
legged GOODNESS and self possession, to
give Tom Reid and the Republicans
strategic opportunities in the House.
He is said to be the candidate of
Tammany Hall. The caucus for
Crisp bad eighty four votes to Mills
seventy>elght on the first ballot,
and ninety four to ninety one on the
seventeenth. In the same ballots,
Springer received thirty two and
and nineteen, Mcmillan eighteen and
seventeen, Hatch fourteen and five,
Stevens one and one. The latter is
antl-silver and certainly shows good
staying powers A deadlock seems
probable, though the more common
opinion is that either Grips or Mills
will be nominated in the end.
Presidential nomination. The re-
cent Democratic victcIy in New
York and Tammany Halls copspi>
clous part in it, Gov. Hills deter
mined fight for the control of the
state legislature, his recent aggres-
sive speech at Elmira on the silver
question, the large support gwen by
New York Representatives and Tam
many men to Crisp, and the fact that
Cleveland's friends, including Bay.
ard, Dickinson, Villas, Carlisle and
Lamont are supporting Mills, all
commbined give Specification to the
Speakership contest. However it
may be decided, Cleveland seems to
have the lead, though the vigor OF
Hills Democracy, the popularity Of
his silver views, his power in New
York, and his active ambition may
seriously divide Democratic senti>
ment. Will such division endanger
Democratic prospects in New York?
This question is turning attention to
other possible or probable candidates
Republican Nomination. On the
other hand the nomination of Harri-
son is becoming more probable. His
personal friends and supporters are
it is true, less demonstrative and ar
dent than those Of Blaine. The lat
ter could apparently secure the nom
| ination if he courted it. 1t is not
probable that Harrison would OPP
pose him. Blaine made way for him
at the last convention. The men
will not contend. Further the rea-
sons that caused BIaine's decllnation
Of the nomination in 1888, probably
exists to day. The Presidency would
add nothing to his fame. A defea>
ted candidacy, and the great mental
and physical trials, incident thereto,
| might darken if it did not cut short
his remaining years. The opinion
that he will not permit his name to
be used is gaining ground.