The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-03
IS SELECTED AS LEADER
Democratic Can di-
date for Speaker.
SIX BALLOTS WERE TAKEN
De Almond and Bankhead Started Out
C.cse at His Heels-Su z,r With
drew and Threw His Votes
to the Tennessee Man

Washington, Dec 1.-The democrats
of the house of representatives at their
caucus held in the house to-day select
ed James d. Richardson of Tennessee
as their candidate for speaker after
| spirited contest which lasted through
| six ballots. This carried with it the
| democratic leadership on the floor Mr.
| Richardson has served IA years in the
| house and is the oldest democratic
| member, in point of service, except Mr.
McRae of Arkansas.
The candidates against Mr.. Richard
son were Representatives De Almond
of Missouri, Bankhead of Alabama and
Sulzer Of New York Representative
Hay of Virginia was elected chairman
of the caucus by vote of II to so cast
for McRae of Arkansas 1t has been
customary for the oldest member in
point of service to preside over NE eau
Gus, and the selection of Mr.. Hay, who
has served one term, was an unusual
honor. The name of Mr.. Horton Of
Ohio was also presented for presiding
officer, but was withdrawn. Represen-
| tatives Cummings of New York and
Robertson of Louisiana were elected
secretaries. Mr.. Richardson was placed
in nomination by Mr.. Benton of Mis-
souri,. Mr.. Bankhead was nominated
by Mr.. Ball of Texas and Mr. SulZer
was nominated by Mr.. Cummings Of
New York The first ballot resulted:
Richardson, 43; De Almond, 80; Bank
head, "a, and Sulzer, 25. The four fol-
lowing ballots showed little change AT
the end Of the fifth ballot Mr.. Under
wood of Alabama withdrew Mr. Bank
heads name and on the first roll call
of the sixth ballot about two-thirds of
Mr.. Bankhead's supporters went to
Richardson. AT the end of this ballot
Mr.. Richardson had 65, De Almond As
and Sulzer 20.
Before the second roll call began Mr..
Sulzer withdrew and asked his friends
to vote for Richardson. There was q
general stampede to the Tennesseean
and he was nominated on the sixth bal
lot 80 votes against Al for De Almond
and two for Sulzer. The nomination
was then made unanimous.
Mr.. Richardson, who was in the ways
and means committee room, was es-
corted to the hall by Messrs. Ball OF
Texas, Carmack Of Tennessee and Sui
zer of New York and, made felicitious
speech, thanking his colleagues for the
honor they had conferred upon him.
Owing to the lateness of the hour, he
said he would not do more than return
his profound thanks, trusting that he
had proper. apprecia ton for the great
responsibility placed upon him by the
action of the caucus. His highest am
btion. he said, would be to meet these
responsibilities and discharge them so
to meet the approba of the demo-
Gratis of the house and the country
His grea test regret, he declared was
that the result of his victory would
bring Disappointment which he hoped
would be only temporary, to other gen.
tlemen aspiring to the trying position
to which he had been chosen. He said
he could hope for success only with the
cordial and hearty cooperation of each
member. In concluding. he said he
hoped that the members would be ready
to give him the cooperation he would
have been glad, to give to another had
the result of the caucus been differ
ent.
The following candidates for house
officers were then selected: Clerk,
James Kerr of Pennsylvania: sergeant
alarms, ex-Representative BroOkshire
of Indiana: doorkeeper, Henry Moler of
Illinois, and postmaster, George l..
Browning of Virginia. The caucus also
selected the following democrats to fill
the four special positions allowed the
minority party in the house. Special
employe, Col. Isaac r. Hill of Ohio:
special messengers, Ewing T. Bland of
Missouri, son of the late Representa-
tive Bland of Missouri. and FELTON, B. |
Knight of Georgia; special page, James |
English of California
A resolution was adopted on motion
of Mr.. Bailey Of Texas, instructing Mr..
Richardson to confer with Speaker
Henderson and request larger demo-
cratic representation in committees. In |
the last congress the minority We're al
lowed six men on each committee. Mr.
Roberts of Utah was present and par
ticipated in the caucus. He voted for
Mr.. Richardson for speaker.