The times., 1897-03-13
CAUcusEs SET FOR TODAY
Republicans Will RenOminate
the Present House Officers.
SPEECH FROM REED EXPECTED
Chief Interest Centers in the Con-
test for the leadership of the
Democrats-McMill and Bailey
Lead-If Richardson Nyithdraws
McMiilin VIII Probably Win.

The caucuses of the several parties pre-
liIainary to the organization Of the House
VIII he held this afternoon and evening
TIE Democratic caucus meets at O'Clock
in the han Of the House and the E1epublican
Caucus convenes there in the evening. The
Grief interest ccnteis in the democratic
C3ucus. The work Of the Republicans
VIII Toe puTely periunctOry, as all the Of
f'cers will be Ienominated. There prom
ised tc lie a brisk fight on elgeant-at-Arms
Russell, but lie has succeeded in subduing
tie antagonism, and the Whole slate VIII
&c Though easily. There might have been
q contest on the Postmaster, but the gentle
man is from the magic State Of Ohio, and
he is entirely safe from attack. AS for
the blind preacher, DR.. Couden, who is
Chaplain, he promises To Lold tie office
indefinitely.
The featureof the Republican caucus VIII
lie the speech that is expected To be made
Iyy Speaker Reed 1t will be remembered
that at the beginning of the Fifty-fourth
Congress he predicted that il would he
lGI.gest remembered for what it did not
do and ii has hobby lived up TO the
prophecy of the presiding officer of the
House. Perhaps, he may again indulge in
prophecy tonight, and the public may pos
Silly learn by what he says or by read
iIrg between the lines, something about the
likelihood of rapid transit for the DinCley
tariff through Congress, and gain some idea
Of the length of the coming session.
The general prediction seems to be that
il viii take about three months 20 clear
uil the business or the extra session.
At the Democratic caucus this az
noon Judge william $. Holman VIII
again be elected chairman, succeed
ing Judge David b. Culberson, who
was chairman of the caucus last
Congress The venerable objector has
seen long service 3s chairman Of the caucus,
and played star performance six years
ago when he gave the casting vote that
nominated Crisp for Speaker over Mills
The contest for the Speakership nomina-
tion is between McMnlin and Bailey, with
the chances favoring the former if MI
Richardson retires from the race, as it
was reported last night he might do. 1t
is quite possible, if Mr Richardson re-
mains in, that he Will draw enough votes
that would naturally go to McMillin to
give MIR. Bailey the lead.
For Sergcamt-at- Arms in the Democratic
caucus there viii i.e q sharp little strug-
gle. The canGidates are ex-Sergeant-at-
Arms Samuel : F.. ! oder of Ohio, who served
in that capacity in the Fifty-Second Con-
gress. ana II. II. Moler of Illinois, cashier
OF the Sergeant-at-Arms' office in the
Fifty-third Congress. Chances favor
Yoder, who has been a member OF Con-
Gress. II is many years since man
who had not been Con ngreSsnan has been
nominated or elected sergeant-at-Arms.
EX-Congl eSsInan Charles II. Turner, now
q resident Of the District Of Columbia,
Is coutesting the nomination for door
keeper with Hurt of Tennessee. Both
have previously served in that capacity.
For special employees. Hill, Coakley and
English VIII undoubtedly succeed.
The Populist caucus viii name John c.
Peu OF Colorado for Speaker, and viii
probably present Watson of Georgia for
clerk. 1t viii not be as large an affair
as the Populist leaders have hoped, as
sirce their arrival in the city several
meI cIassed as Populists in the prelimi-
nary lists have announced their desire to
he considered Democrats and To enter the
Democratic caucus. Among the number
are Representatives DeVries and Castle
of California. The former is the youngest
member of the new House, and a resident
SlOGktDI. lie Is nOh bNGlIA- tdls
old. Helookslike man ofdecided ability,
and it is freely predicted that he viii
make a mark in the new Congress.
The four silver Republicans will vote
for Ncwlands. of Nevada. or Hartman, Of
Montana. for Speaker They viii probably
support the fun Democratic slate below
Speaker.
Several of the sc-caIled Fusionists are
puzzled to know where they belong. The
most greatly troubled OF all is Representa-
tive Todd, the rich Prohibitionist, who ran
Oh SO many tickets. He Will probably solve
thu riddle by caucusing with himself, but
will vote for the Democratic nominees for
EIraker and House offices.
The exact Republican majority over all
inthc new House is forty-seven, the smallest
partymaj jority since the Fiftieth Congress.