Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-04
.SPEAKERSHIP TALK.
NO MATERIAL CHANGE IN THE sITuA-
TIoN OF AFFAIRS.
The onieIaI Call for the Caucus to Begin
at2P. N. To-Morrow Issued By
Chairman Holman.
nr telsrraph . tho pIspa.ch.l

headquarters Of the five candidates for the
speakership this morning 1t was conceded
that from present indications, with every
man remaining in the field. no nomination
would be possible on the first ballot. With
four fifths Of the Democratic congressman
in the city this morning, indefinite claims
are no longer possible, since nearly every
man Is now quite free to express his
preference for his favorite candidate. The
relative positions of the various candidates
at the present writing seem 70 be as foi-
lows: Crisp first, Mills second, Springer
third McMillin fourth, and Hatch httn,
although the actual figures which their
in any case to be fully borne out by the facts
TRYING TO WORK OUT TIE MINOR cASDI-
DATES.
Only upon one general proposition are
they all agreed-that with every candl-
date in the field a combination Is inn
probable upon first ballot, but neither Mills
nor Crisp comedies that every candidate
will be still in the field when the caucus
convenes next Saturday. Strenuous efforts
are being made to-day 10 effect the with
drawal of certain minor candidates by
working disintegratlon in their forces.
From early morning rumors have been
budL luc hay MOulu hAbuJ6o lhp
similation of all that is vital to the candi-
dacy of Springer. McMillin. and Hatch by
Mills and Crisp. Up TO this hour, how
ever, events have only to very limited
extent verified these rumors.
POSSIBLE DEsERIIoN FROM SPRINGER.
Only in the candidacy of Mr.. Springer
have there been any disquietlng evidences
Of possible disintegration. The Iowa dele
CATION this morning met and again ex-
pressed its individual and collective pre-
ferences for Springer, but decided that
should events indicate that Crisp might
be nominated on the first ballot the vote
Of the entire delegation would be thrown
TO Mills ere the conclusion of the first bal
lot to prevent that result.
WHAT THE IowANs SAY.
Representative Hayes, the spokesman Of
the delegation, said to the Associated
Press reporter I'VE desire 1t understood
that we are for Springer lust as long as
there is a possibility of his election.
When, however, that possibility no longer
exists, should that time ever arrive, we are
for Mills. We are unanimous and will vote
as a unit. Should IL become evident be-
tween now and the date of the caucus
that Crisp, through the detection of the
supporters of McMillin or Hatch, or from
any accession whatever, is likely to be
nominated on the first ballot, we will even
up in the initial ballot and cast our votes
solidly for Mills to prevent such result"
NOT THAT THEY LOVE SPRINGER LESS.
ave Will do this not because we are any
less loyal to Mr.. Springer. but because we
shall have been convinced that our fight IS
forlorn hope, and we shall desire as the
next best thing to assist In the election of
Mr.. Mills. We will do this not because OF
any personal dislike to MIR. Crisp, but be-
cause we are convinced that the sentiment
of the great Northwest is for Mills, as OPP
posed to Crisp. Remember, however, we
must be convinced of Springer's defeat
and imminency of Crisp's election ere we
desert the Illinois candidate"
Other followers of Springer do not seem
to be at all alarmed by the conclusions of
the Iowa delegation, as they say the con-
tingency upon which their desertion is to
be based will never arise.
WHEN SHALL TIE CAUCUS BE HELD?
An awkward dispute has arisen TO mar
the serenity of the contest, and it IS pos
sible that some bad feeling may be engen-
dered before il can be amicably adjusted.
Mr. Holman. of Indiana, who is chair
man of the caucus, Is not expected IL the
CITY until tomorrow evening, and the
formal call for the caucus has not been Is
sued. 1t has been generally reported that
the caucus would be held at L. NJ. Satur-
day. and this hour seems to please all OF
the candidates except MIR. Mills.
Mr.. MILLS ron 7:SO P. II.
That gentleman this morning declared
that 1880 z. Nj. should be the hour named.
For years. said he, "the caucuses of
the House have been held in the evening,
and il would be unjust to all the absent
members to depart from the presidents
and call the caucus for the afternoon.
There are members of the House who will
not be here by 2 p. M. Saturday, because
they naturally presume the caucus will be
held in the evening. II would be a great
Injustice to these men to change the
hour
At the suggestion of Mr.. Mills, his lieu
tenant. Mr.. Breckinridge. of Arkansas.
prepared q paper calling the caucus for 1880
Saturday evening and proposed that in the
absence of Mr.. Holman it should be
signed by the five candidates for the
speakership as the best solution OF the
question.
Mr.. sPRINGER FOB HIGH NOON
INQUIRY at the headquarters Of other
candidates at once developed opposition
SAID Mr.. Springer, Il am IN favor OF
having the caucus meet at the same hour
the House is accustomed to meet-12
O'clock noon. In any event am opposed
to calling it later than p. NJ. Saturday.
To meet at 1880 p. nj. would probably pro-
long the session far into the night and be
great inconvenience to the press OF the
country and the public, who are quite as
much interested in the outcome as are the
members Of the House."
ArEssRs. CRISP AND n MSnLLN FOR 2 p. n.
1.-TWO o'clock Saturday afternoon
think is the best hour" said MIR. Crisp,
"but an quite prepared to let the other
candidates settle the hour"
Mr.. McMillin's friends favor o'clock IN
the afternoon, but the followers of MIR.
Hatch seem quite Indifferent as TO tho
hour.
In case the candidates are unable TO
apree upon an hour for the caucus Mr.
Holman will probably be wired for a de-
cision or Messrs. Wilson and Blanchard,
the secretaries of the caucus, will be call
ed upon TO settle the dispute.
SPRINGER ENCOURAGED.
Mr.. Springer's adherents are encouraged
to-day by the decision of the entire Michi-
gan delegation, with the exception OF Mr.
Chipman, TO support their candidate. Thu
delegation will have @ formal meeting to-
morrow afternoon and endeayor to act as
a unit Mr.. Springer still claims 81 votes
and is counting upon the support OF Mr..
Holman. OF Indiana, but the other candi-
dates do not concede HIM over 35 or 40.
Among his supporters this morning are
General John @. Black, ex-Commisgoner
of Pensions Hon. Lambert Tree, and Hon.
4. S. Winston. Senator John NJ. Palmer,
of Illinois, arrived this afternoon and at
once began work for the Illinois candidate.
MILLS HOPEFUL OF SECURING sPRHGER's
STRENGTH.
The friends of Mr.. Mills are hopeful Of
transferring nearly all the votes now
pledged 10 Mr.. Springer to their candi-
date, and on tho belief of success IN this
endeayor they express confidence of vic
tory, relying upon the impetus given TO
Mr.. Mills by the announcement of great
accession of votes from the West and the
Northwest to rally to their standard nearly
all the doubtful votes, and to cause breaks
from the other candidates on the part OF
Representatives who wish TO be on the
side of the winning candidate. The ad-
herents of the two leaders express directly
antagonistic views of the probabilities OK
Mr.. Sprlnger's withdrawal being forced,
and also Of the result Of such q with
drawai.