The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-02

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-[Speciall-
The speakcrship contest is increasing
in Hveliness and interest with each
day This morning there was fair
accession made to the list of members in
town. All five of the candidates ex-
pressed themselves as hopeful, and re.
ported matters progressing satisfactor-
lily from their point of view, which is
in the case of tho two leaders that the
speakership will be settled very early
in the caucus, and the case of the other
three candidates that they, with as
sistance of the candidate with the SEQ.
ond highest number of votes, will be-
able to hold the leader in the race until
break in his lines can be forced and
the way opened for second choice
man.
One important statement to-day is the
claim made by General Catchings, of
Mississippi, one of Crisp's chief lieuten-
ants, that tho Georgia candidate had
captured the entire Democratic delega-
ton from New Jersey. Crisp's friends
also said they had assurances of four
votes from New England. Mills was
sanguine that the forces were working
favorably to his interests, and ex-
pressed himself rs entirely confident of
the result.
The aim OF the two candidates who
are generally conceded to occupv tho
foremost position i'll the race, is to con
centrate their votes in tho sections
whera they have clear majority and
induce the members who are inclined
TO vote for some one else to reconsider
their inclination and go with the
majority in their respective State dele.
cations.
Thus the Mills men are endeavoring
to make Now England unit, and they
say they expect all the votes from that
section except two. This claim, how
ever, is not conceded by The other
candidates, nor is Crisp's claims to New
Jersey conceded. Crisp is also working
to make State delegations.
Maryland and New England have
decided to hold State and section eau
cases, the latter tomorrow and the
former about the end of the week.
McMillin said to-day that he saw no
reason to change his opinion that the
fight would be Il long one, in which case
his strength would increase, and he
felt that matters were going along salts
fac:orily.
Springer was also in cheerful mood
and said he was more than holding his
own as respects first choice votes and
had to-day made material progress in
providing for the event of break
among other candidates, a great many
Representatives having given him assur-
ance that he would get their Votes
whenever they changed.
The arrival of Judge Holman, of In
diana, and tho announcement of his po-
sition on the speakership, are awaited
with some interest. The friends of
Mills express more confidence than
those OF any one. else of securing his
support. IL is report that Holman
has for months been in correspondence
with now members of tho House, which
fact,i is said, would increase the weight
Of his opinion.
AT Hatch's headquarters it was said
that "things were quiet" A good
many persons had called to pay their
respects. 1t was stated yesterday that
Cate, of Arkansas, was for Hatch
Peel is the member who is Hatch's sup
porter in Arkansas, and Cate is for Mr..
bers of the delegation of five.
Candidates for minor offices are be-
ginning an active campaign. Maish, of
Pennsylvania, has practically with
drawn from the contest for clerk Of the
House and Pennsylvania is advocating
the claims of Kerr, while Indiana is
urging Dalton's selection. For post
master another eX-Congre ssman, Nc
Clammy, OF North Carolina, has become
a candidate. Jas. Il. Fisher, former
assistant postmaster and chairman of
the Virginia Democratic State Central
committee, is regarded with favor by
many members for this position.
There was practically no change in
the speakership contest during the
afternoon. The headquarters of the
various candidates generally had the
crowd about them, made up in meas
ure, however, of people who see tho
prospect OF some Office other than an
elective one, and there is now at least
one candidate for every fairly lucrative
place under the control Of the House.
The list of members in tho city at G
o'clock showed 100 Representatives here.
A number of these have not committed
themselves as yet. Many Of those not
in the city are also non-committal. sc
that it is estimated that tho preference
Of at least thirty members are un-
known. and Springer places this mum,
Der of "unknowns" at 100.
AT Crisp's headquarters this estimate
was regarded as unreasonably high,
and it was said that Crisp is steadily
improving his position. The Crisp and
Mills following both worked actively
to-day and EXPRESSED themselves as en-
couraged. Their efforts were directed
towards securing the withdrawal o
some of the other candidates, and Will,
they were hopeful that their effor
would bear fruit, nothing definite wa.