Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-12-03


prophet there seemed to be an opinion al
most general that Crisp would lead on tbs
first ballot. Some of the Georgian's ar
dent supporters placed his lead on the
prst ballot at more than thirty votes over
Mills, but more conservative adherents
gave him from twenty TO twenty five votes
Ia the lead
Gathered from the Members.
Upon the authority of member of con-
gress, and some times two or three mem
bers, from each state the following is the
way the poll stands at present: Crisp, 50
votes; Mills. 81; Springer, 25; McNillin,
d; Hatch, l6. These votes are said to be
certain. This leaves 60 votes in the
doubtful column, and lacks considerable
Of confirming the claims of the Crisp men.
who firmly believe, all the same. that
their candidate cannot be beaten unless
some pre-arranged mbination is effected.
aud they fear that some such arrangement
will be attempted by the McMillin and
Hatch factions. If McMillin finds that
he cannot win he will give his vote to
Mills, and endeavor to carry his own sup
port with him. This, the Crisp men say,
Is impossible, because many of McMillin's
southern supporters will naturally favor
Crisp.
After the First Ballot.
The Mills people profess to believe that
nearly every supporter OF Hatch will
come into the Mills ranks after the first
,ilot. How Springer's supporters will
90 in the event of the withdrawal of their
candidate is involved in too much uncer-
tainty to be predicted with any accuracy,
but if com bination of Illinois, Iowa and
Michigan is effected the Mills boom will
be inflated to degree that will. in all
probability, bring to the Texans aid
many supporters of other candidates who
are undecided as to a second choice. 1t is
asserted however on very good authority,
that at least half of the Missouri delega-
ton will go to Crisp if Hatch is with
drawn.
Holman as n Compromises.
There is talk of springing Holman. Sthe
great objector," as a compromise candi-
date il the contest in caucus is long one.
Bnt Holman's title is a bitter memory to
\ great many members, and his we'll
known opposition to all internal improve
ment appropriations would make his can
didacy a ''dernier resort" indeed. He is
not here yet, and no one knows why, al
though his arrival is looked for with
much interest by the adherents of the
various candidates; and with this inter-
Bst is mixed certain amount of trepida-
tion, for the Indiana congressman is con-
sidered pos er in the land in connection
with the battle. As chairman of the
Democratic caucus, a position that places
him as the leader of his party in the
house in command of matters of party
policy, Mr.. Holman entered into corre-
spondence soon after the election OF 1872
with the Democratic members elected to
the Fifty-second congress for the purpose
of obtaining their views on party cues
.tions.
Would BE q Powerful Ally.
He is said to have kept himself we'll in
& formed on the progress of the speakership
4 fight, and his we'll known astuteness has
gained for him among the Democratic
members such reputation that any dec
iaration on bis part that any particular
candidate viii secure the speakership
(. honor, such statement would carry with
s IL for the candidate pointed out the votes
Of large number of members who are
anxious to he on the right side. Again, it
&is believed that Holman's extensive ac-
luaintance with the Democratic MEM
Iers, obtained through correspondence
lind by personal contact. will enable him
H.. n. -. &c ~,