Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-05
FIVE IN THE FIELD,
No Combine Yet Effected by
the Candidates for Tom
Reeds Shoes.
EACH ONE HOLDS HIS OWN.
Less Change in the Situation Than at
ANY Time in the Race.
SPRINGER HAVINGA HARDTUSSLE.
Sena tors Putting in Brave Licks for Their
FavoriteS.
SPRINGER HAVINGA HARDTUSsLE.
Sena tors Putting in Brave Iicks for Their
FavoriteS.
RFPUBLICANS TO CAUCUS TONIGHT
rFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT,

ship candidates and their lieutenants Al
no time since the struggle began has there
been so much work done as in the last q
hours. Notwithstanding this fact, it is ap-
parent that shere has been less change in
the situation than on anv previous day OF
the present week.
SO far as the support of each candidate is
concerned it appears at this time that each
one has held his own unbroken through the
fierce struggle Of to-day, and if any decisive
changes have occurred the facts have been
kept from the knowledge of the outsiders
Even at this late hour there are more than
score of members not vet absolutely
pledged, and this margin of uncommitted
votes fills large share in the hopes and
fears OF the respective contestants The
leading candidates, Mills and Crisp, still
stick to the figures which their managers
put out yesterday, while Springer, Nc
Nillin and Hatch remain in the field.
Impossible to Force a Combination.
All efforts TO bring about combinations
have proven futile, and unless some extra
ordinary coup is accomplished between now
and the hour of the caucus there will be
five names presented to that body for the
Speakership.
Mr. Springer has had the most difficult
task of all in keeping his men together, but
up to this time he has been successful. He
has received pledges so direct and binding
that any desertion from his ranks between
now and tomorrow afternoon would simply
be cold-blooded tTeacherv on the part of
those who have so bound themselves.
Mr.. McMiilin is enthusiastically for Mills,
and would cheerfullv abandon the contest
now If 1t would help the Texan. However.
one of his principal lieutenants, Mr.. Rich
ardson, holds a handful of Tennesseeans
whom he can transfer to Crisp as soon as
McMillin drops out of the fight. Conse-
quentlv, 1t is an assistance to Mills TO have
McMillin in the field, for otherwise there is
danger that Crisp will be nominated on the
first ballot
Mr.. Mills claims a recent accession in the |
person of Congressman Hare of Ohio. here |
tofore credited in the estimates to Crisp.
Good Thing for Telegraph Companies.
One of the features of to-dav's struggle |
was the wholesale sending of kilograms to |
Crlsp's supporters requesting them TO |
change to Mills. These messages were for
warded from the home of the member to
which they was addressed, and were signeibv
prominent local Democrats This hadsevi-
IDENTIFY been prearranged, and it was in
tended TO effect a stampede in the direction
OF Mills. As no practical results have so
lar been visible, the telegraph companies
appear to have been the only gamer. Some
of Mr. Mills enthusiastic friends overdid
their part of it. The kentucky members
received threatening messages, all anonv-
NOUS, but they have served the purpose of
increasing the acrlmony that now exists be-
tween the Mills and Crisp forces.
About the various headquarters the Demo-
cratic United States Senators are as active
as though they had a vote in the caucus.
Senator Palmer, of Illinois is assisting
Springer, Senator Vest is performing a like
office for Hatch, Coke and Carlisle are with
Mills, and kenna and Pugh with Crisp
Randall Democrat Outspoken.
One incident will show how the lines are
drawn. Some of Mr.. Mills supporters
have been freely using the expression that
Crisp is a Randall Democrat" The
phraseology Of The term irritated Senator
kenna, who at one time in the House was
the young lieutenant of the great Pennsyl-
vanlan. He went to the National Hotel |
and secured the rooms in which Randall
made his last canvass for Speaker There
Mr. henna installed himself as an ayowed
Randall Democrat, and proceeded to do all
he could IN Mr.. Crisp's behalf One result /
of his efforts was the conversion of Cane
hart, OF West Virginia from Mills to Crisp.
In view OF the fact that no combinations !
have been perfected, and the general under
standing that all five of the candidates are :
in the fight, it is safe prediction I
hat no candidate will have votes enoupb 10 g
nominate on the first ballot. Crisp holds
The lead, with about 96 of what his mana
yers call 'rock-bottom' votes: Mills has about
~, with Springer's support of 40 pushing Q
aim for second place. McMillin and Hatch
nave their 16 and IA respectively, leaving in I
he neighhorhood of 90 votes that have not s
IS yet been accurately classified I
Crisp's Chances on a Third Ballot. u
The most satisfactory accomplishment of !,
he Crisp managers to-day was getting nine e
members of the Missouri delegation to 3
promise their votes for Crisp in the event q
hat Hatch withdrew As Hatch NJcNIiIIin =;
md Springer are liable to retire simultane- !,
'usv. this accession from Missouri. if oh
aimed at the right state of the caucus pro
eedings, will be great help to the
Georgian.
The probabilities tonight, as thew have ~
zen throughout the week, favor the pomi-
atlon OF Crisp 1t is asserted with eoual
onfdence at Mills headquarters that he w
Nills) would be nominated on the second II
T thlrd ballot. This assertion was dis -
'SN SUN nat w Tue sIFOng tendency L
IA The part of the Mills people to explain, M
OF how they expected to win, but what sc
'ould happen if they were beaten namely er
he proStratlon OF the star-eyed goddess of III
lriff reform.
1t is not the intention to have speech NJ
!aklng in the caucus. The interest in the tu
'ntest is so great that the members would III
OF have the patience TO listen to anv bursts In
oratory that could serve no purpose but w
} take up time. or
kerr's Walkover for the Clerkship "
With the exception of the Clerk the re-
Hts OF the cmination for the minor Offices
re more or less involved in the outcome of -
'e speakershlp battle. Kerr. of Pennsyl-
ana, has walkoyer for the clerkship.
oder, OF Oi.io, seems likely TO be made
7rgeant-at-Arms; Turner, of New York
oorkeeper, and ]. c. Roy, of Wisconsin,
JstmasteT. ce
The Republican Congressman will meet Inv
caucus tomorrow at 7:30 p NJ. for the
lrpose Of nominating their candidate for A'
2 speakershlp as well as for the minor
bees of the House. The task wHi he but IA
rerfunctory one, aud all of the old officers | In,
i'll undoubtedly be placed in nomination.
re caucus Will be held in the hall of the 4
Ouse II the Democratic caucus adiourns in | ,,-
ne. Otherwise it will be held in the
ON Of the Committee on Judiciary. The i"'
il viii probably be issued bv Representa- po
1e Henderson, of illinois. Chairman of -
{ Caucus. 1T
The Situation at Midnight. III
At midnight the situation was no less in q