The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-01
FIVE MEN CONFIDENT.
Lots of Bluff Over the Speakership
Contest.
ACTIVITY AT HEADQUARTERS
Mills Claims That He Has Votes Enough
to Win on the First Ballot-Some
Amusing Estimates-Two Active Mas
sachusetts Colts France for Mills.

WASHINGTON, Dec. There are five
speakership candidates in town to-day,
and just five days left them in which to
arrange their forces for the battle that
will take place on Saturday next. Each
of the candidates claims TO be a sure
winner and all except one of them thinks
that the contest may be somewhat pro-
longed. This one is Candidate Mills of
Texas who has confidentially whispered
to friend that he thinks there is little
doubt of his nomination on the first
ballot Very. few people in Washington
agree with him. Mr.. Mills has recently
made other confidential remarks. For in
stance, it is reported that he has ex-
pressed surprise TO friend that he
should find himself in the humiliating at
titude of asking for the supporter Demo =
cratic Congressman in his ambition to be
Speaker of the House. Judging from this
remark, Mr.. Mills evidently thinks that
he is entitled by right to the honor for
which he is SO desperately striving. In
this opinion, however, large number of
Democratic congressman fail to agree. AT
his two sets of headquarters to-day every
thing was hustle and hard work, and
when the contest is over Mr.. Mills will not
be able to say that he did not seek the
Speakership.
The Springer red white, and blue
rooms were opened with an invited recep
ton, and were thronged with coming and
going members, all bent on expressing at
least their hearty good will toward Mr..
Springer
his friends confidently, land he is at least
second on the first ballot now."
They claim that the new members are
fiocking around their candidate in way
that makes the Mills men weary.
The Crisp men are working steadily aud
quietly, Just as they have been since the
campaign opened, and they say to-day
that they are more than encouraged at
the prospect of success.
The Mcmillan men are going right
ahead seeking votes for their candidates
with all appearance OF sincerity and with
out an indication that they intend soon to
withdraw their man in the interest of the
free trade candidate.
Hatch of Missouri, the fifth candidate,
reached the city yesterday, accompanied
"a dozen boomers. He at once opened
headquarters and said to his friends that
though he didn't expect TO win in walk,
he would make steady gains up to the
time Of holding the causus. He is the
dark horse in the race.
The candidates all express surprising
confidence, but are n little chary of Civ
ing out figures If the estimates quietly
circulated among the few of their close
friends are to be accepted as correct, pro-
vision must be made for at least 500 Demo
cratic COngresSmen, whereas tnere are
less than 25O. Mr.. Mills thinks he gan be
nominated on the first ballot, and, as Mr.
Crisp has at least 10 votes, Mr.. McMillin
25, and Mr. Hatch 20, it is difficult to see
where all Mr.. Mills votes are to come
from.
The most energetic and hustling men in
the whole crowd of congressman in Wash
ington to-day are the enthusiastic young
Democrats from Massachusetts,, Sherman
Hoar and j. Fred Williams They are
everywhere shouting with all their might
for Mills and talking fiercely about what
the policy of the Democratic party should
be. These young men are somewhat
handicapped, although they.do not seem
to know il, by the fact that they are ac-
quainted with but very few congressman,
public life. A conference of the New Eng
land members will be held on Wednesday.
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