Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-17
SLY WEB AND rng sPsAkeRsHIp.
Dangers That Lie Before the Democrats
A story Denied by MIR. Mills.
rwashinrton Erenina scar Ind.l, 1ath.l

washington Evening Star Qnd.) 13th.l
Comparatively few members of Congress
have vet reached Washington, but the
skirmish-line in the speakership fight is
being thrown out about the Capitol. and a
great deal Of preliminary burning of pow
der has begun. In few days the hight
will be on IL deadly earnest. Most OF
the candidates will have their headquarters
formally established within ten days.
A great many stories in the interest OF
this Candidate or that are being circulated
and the champions of each side are getting
ready for the hnal struggle. The relative
strength of candidates may be guessed at
very closely, bat no one knows how near
the strongest candidate is TO election.
Mr.. Crisp's friends seem TO feel sure that
Crisp has the best prospects before him,
but admit that he has dangerous rivals IN
Mills and Mcmillan.
Mills has been doing some very active
work OF late, and his friends speak with
very great confidence of his election. DE
has been conceded TO have considerable
strength in the West from the start, but In
the East ard South he has been regarded
az weak. He bias naturally been very
anxious 70 get the support of MIR; Cleve-
land and his friends to influence the east
ern vote, and of course the silver question
plays an important part in the discussion
OF his chances.
THE DANCERS OF THE SILVER QUESTION.
The silver question is one which threat
ems to give the Democrats considerable
noyanee and, of course, all the leaders
who have in view the success of the ticket
in 1892 are anxious to avoid an issue on
that question which might make division
in the party. which would handicap them
i'm the presidential contest. The situation
IL s delicate one, but many think 1t may
be settled through conservative influence,
il the eagerness OF hot-heads ana inexpe-
rienced men does not preclpitate the issue.
One of the most recent stories concern
,n, fine speakership contest was to the eff
feet that Mr. Mills had secured an assurance
of the support from MIR. Cleyeland's friends
AZ n conference in New York, where Mr..
Mills in turn had given assurances salts
factory to them as to his intentions WITH
relation to tho construction OF the Coinage,
Weights and Measures Committee, the
committee TO be so constructed as 10 make
the reporting of free-c coinage bill impos-
ubie. MIR. Mills, however, has over ms
own signature denounced the story as ao-
soiateiy false aud says he has had no such
con ference and never has bad any propo-
sition made 10 him TO organize the House,
il elected. against silver legislation.
now THE DEMOCRATS ARE DUIDEn.
There are three sets Of opinion on tho
money question in the House. The radical
antj-siiyer men are in small minority.
The radical silver men are larger minorl-
ty. The conservative men, who have not
the fear of treo coinage Of silver which Is
entertained by some, and are rather IN
chned 20 favor it. but most OF Gil want 70
Keep to a policy which will be safe beyond
onestion and will hold the party together.
hold the balance of power between the
two extremes, A large majority OF them
II forced TO take one extreme or the other
would side With free coinage.