The Portland daily press., 1899-12-04
AFTER SIX BALLOTS.


MIR. Richardson of Tennessee Made the
Democratic Leader.
Washington, December 2.-The Demo-
Gratis OF the House Of Representatives at
their caucus held In the hall Of the House
Of Representative this afternoon, select
ed Representative James ID. Richardson
OF Tennessee as their candidate for
Speaker, after a spirited contest, which
lasted through ak ballots. This carries
with 1t the Democratic leadership on the
floor. Mr.. Richardson has served II years
In the House and is the oldest Democra-
Ito memter In point OF service, except
Mr.. McRae of Arkansas.
The candidates against Mr.. Richar dson
were Representative, DE Almond of NJ Is
souri,, Bankhead OF Alabama and Sulzer
of New York.
Representative Hay Of Virginia wa
elected chairman of the caucus BY vote
of ~ to G6. cast for MIR. Mckae Of Ar
kansas. 1t had team customary for the
Oldest member In point of service to pre-
side over the caucus and the selection
of Mr.. Hay. who has only served one
tSrm. was an unusual homer. The name
Of MIR. Norton Of Ohio was also present.
cd for presiding officer, but was with
drawn. Representative Cummings Ct
New York and Robertson Of Louisiana
were elected secretaries. Mr.. Richard
son was placed in nomination by Mr..
Carmack of Teunssses Mr.. lie Almond
was nominated by Mr.. Benton OF Mis-
souri,. Mr.. Bankhead was nominated by
MIR. Ball of Texas, and Mr.. Sulxer was
nominated by Mr.. Cummi pgs Of New
York. The first ballot resulted: Rich
Sulzer. "a.
The four following ballots showed lit
tle change. At the end Of thu fifth ballot
Mr.. Underwood OF Alabama withdrew
Mr.. Bankheadss name. and on the nrst
roll call Of the sixth ballot, about two
thitds of Mr.. Bankhead's supporters
went to Mr.. Richardson. At the end of
the first roll call the vote STOOD: kioh-
ardson, Is; DeArmond, IS; Sulzer. 20.
Before the second roll call began Mr..
Sulzer withdrew and asked his friends to
vote for Richardson. There was a gen.
eral stampede TO the Tame sssan and he
was nominated on the sixth ballot, re-
ceiving 90 votes against a for DeArmond
and for Sulzcr. The nomination was
then made unanimous.
Mr.. Richardson, who was In the ways
and means Committee room was escorted
to the hall by Messrs. Ball of Texas, Car
mack Of Tennessee and Sulzer OF New
York, and made delicious speech thank
Ing his colleagues for the honor they
haA h. 10 q he.
lateness Of the hour, he said. he would
not do more than return his profound
thanks. trusting that he had proper
appreciation OF the great responsibilities
placed upon him by the action Of the
oauous. His highest ambition, he said,
wonld be to meet these responsibilities
and dis ,harge them so to meet the appro-
bation Of the Democrats of the House
and country. His chief regret, he de-
clared, ~as that the result of his victory
would Sring disappointment which hs
hoped would be only temporary to other
gentlemen 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 each memter would re ready to
give him the co.opsrat ton he would
result of the caucus heen different.
The following candidates for House
Offices were then selected:
E.Clerk-James Kerry, Pennsylvania.
Sergeant at. Arms - Xxx Repre- zen tative
Brookshire Of Indiana.
Door-keepeT-Hsnry Moler, Illinois.
Postmaster-George L.. Browning, Viz
ginia.
The caucus also selected the following
to ill four special positions allotted the
minority party In the Hou So:
Special employe. Col. Isaac Il Hi II,
Ohio; special messengers h, Wing Bland,
a SON Of the late Representative Bland,
and FELTON, b. knight of Georgia special
page. James Englls Of California.
A resolution was adopted on motion
of MIR. Bailey of Texas, instructing Mr.
Richardson TO confer with Speaker Hen
derson and request larger Democratic
representation on the committee. In the
last Congress the minority were allotted
six men on each comm ittee. They now
desire ssven MIR. Roberts Of Utah was
present and participated In the caucus.
Ha votsd for Mr. Rfehardaon for Sneak