Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-06


The canvass for tho speakership Of the next
House, though the election is six months of, is be-
ing conducted with extraordinary activity by the
several candidates. The respective candidates
are writing to or visiting the various sections
OF the country where they look for q chance to
make votes and the rivalry is sharp. Mr.. Mills
practically started his canvass before the cleo
ton, which resulted in giving the democrats
control OF the House. Being free to do So be
went out west, where the tariff reform idea is
supposed to have suddenly taken root, and be-
gan to develop rapidly and worked his best to
secure the election Of men who believed with
him on the revenue question. number Of
.he men who, to their own surprise, were
elected to the House are sail to attribute their
success largely TO his efforts in their behalf and
mis- friends claim for him that be will have a
large vote in the west when he enters the can
yass to contend for the speakership nomination.
Its understood that his principal strength
VIII come from that quarter and that he will
have the support Of all the single tax men-or
those who believe with Henry George that the
custom houses should be dispensed with at
once and the revenues for the government de-
rived from income tax or tax on lands. OF
these there are said to be quite a number in the
next House.
SOME SENTIMENTAL SUPPORT.
port of a number Of members on sentimental
grounds-men who believe that he should
be rewarded for his tariff fight started in the
earlier days, regardless of his adaptability to
the duties OF Speaker. Some of his trends
nave been trying to make an issue upon the as
sumption that he is little better tariff reformer
than some Of the other leading candidates. but
mere mas been little progress made in that,
as there Is no disagreement among the candi-
dates on the tariff question, every one of them
standing where Mr.. Carlisle stood when elected
over Mr. Randall at the opening of the Forty
eighth Congress.
His friends express absolute confidence in
start
1t will probably be a close race for lead on
the start, however, between HIM and Crisp of
Georgia The supporters of the latter claim
that he will lead all other candidates on the
start and will draw from every direction az
soon as the night gets warm in the caucus.
WHAT rs CLAIMED FOR CRISP.
Crisp is evidently strong favorite. and tina.
he is regarded SO by the other candidates is
shown by the fact that they are all fighting
particularly against him. He will probably
not nave the Georgia delegation solidly for
MIN, as there Is some jealousy, and Mr. Blount
announced his own candidacy, though he has
been making no canvass for himself and his
announcement is regarded as no more than a
hostile demonstration against his colleague
crisp, however, was the leader of his party in
the political fights during the last Congress,
and gave evidence of abilities which have Sc
cured him strong supporters and many of
Them HIS friends contend that the chief oues-
tlon TO be considered in the choice of Speaker
OF the next House is his fitness for the position
there being no political issues between the cam
didates they all agreeing on the great party
questions, and for him they claim the qualities.
winch ne has shown during his career, which
pre-eminently fit him for the speakership.
WITH CARLISLE ON THE TARIFF.
An effort has been made to have it appear
that he was not sound on the tariff. but it was
very easy to answer this from the record, show
ing that he stood exactly with Carlisle 1t is
expected thas he will have considerable strength
In the south and southwest, and that his cool
ness and conservatism will make him popular
among the members who have been elected
from north OF Mason and Dixon's line He
VIII probably get good share of the New Eng
land votes and it is said that the New York
delegation will be for him. with McMillin for
second choice. The popular notion seems to
be that he stands about the best chance Of cleo
ton, and in betting he would at this time prob
ably be the favorite. He has recently been
speaking in the west, and his friends say be has
gained strength in that section. One great ad-
vantage he will have is that most of the old
members are for him, and yet he would not be
~ oA0 uoouuohs aho oy pledges.
MMILLIN's CHANCES.
McMillin, who is now here and has been con-
ferring with friends in the east, is a good
worker and stands well in the fight. He in
popular. Though not always as self-contained
as Crisp, he is NOT as excitable as Mills. and he
Las always been ready and active on the floor
He does not expect to get large vote on the
start, but he occupies what may usually be re-
garded as good position in a contest where
there are number of candidates in the field.
What his friends look for lie stability among his
followers and an accumulative growth of
strength as other candidates drop out They
rather expect that while Crisp and Mills. as the
two leading candidates are stubbornly contest
ing ground, each stopping the others progress
McMilin will slip by and get the prize. The
attitude OF each makes these three candidates
keeps his eyes.
SPRINGER AND BYNUn.
Mr.. Springer and Mr.. Bynum have been
working upon the assumption that there might
be sentiment against giving the speakership
to o southern man. As there are more north
ern than southern democrats in the next
House II would be easy to elect a man living
north Of the Mason and Dixon line If there
were any sectional feeling on the subject but
there appears to be no such feeling. 1t is ex-
pected that the speakership will be given to the
south, as the presidency is not opened to her,
the north being given control of the COM
mittees. Thus far in the canvass Mr.. Springer
has been handicapped somewhat BY being ill
and unable to take an active part. Mr.. Hatch
is expected to show some strength among the
farmers Of the southwest.