The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-30
THE FIGHT FOR &
THE SwPEAKERSH|P
The Geographical Idea as to the
Contest Falling Away.
SOME PROMINENT ASPIRANTS.
Each Stands for q Certain Tread OF
Ideas and VIII he Supported Ac-
c%ordingly sherman, OF New
York the Leading Candidate.

WASHINGTON. MAY 27-spsclal.-Tbe
speakership fight Is clearing p%ercepubly.
The geographical idea which was worked
up at the opening Of the contest, Is for
tunately falling away. III was always de-
void Of any basis OF common sense. There
Is a more natural basis of division. This
is coming out in various ways as the
fight proceeds. and when the ballOtiny IN
caucus actually takes place representa-
tives Will be found voting for the candi-
date toward whom they are drawn by
natural amnities. The only exception on
largo scale will be the support Of IA
,.orite son" by nearly II not all OF the
deieoation of their State. 10 is probable
hat nearly all OF the New York Iiepubii-
o,rs will vote for sherman, all Of the
Illinois Republicans for Hopkins, ana All
at the Iowa Republicans for Henderson
other State delegations may go into the
eobt with considerable unanimity, al
tbonoh there will always be
men of independent pr0ciiyities who
p-.fer e. express their own cnolce- hdch
~ the candidates prominently IN the
oeid stands for a certain trend OF ideas
and will be supported a~ccp4alnsly
SHERMAN LEADS.
Il has been taken for granted from me
start that sherman Of New lork is lne
iaadino candidate. He resigned the Of
eco of General Appraiser. which carries
"a salary of $500. in order to remain I'm
,he House. where his chance OF becom-
inc Speaker was regarded as good. lie
has had considerable experience in the
chair and has made "a good IMPRESSION
as a presiding officer. lie is clearly the
choice of the administration and not a
few Of the shrewd observers here a v
freely predicted from tho start that ne
would be- the winner. one very consid-
cradle weakness. however, has developed
i'm Mr.. Sherman's candidacy. Ihat ~ the
fear Of senatorial dictation. The House
is Jealous Of its prerogates. II has wit
messed the slipping away 20 the Senate OF
one after another OF its powers. IL mas
seen the gradual growth of the upper
house at its own expense. "hsl '"'
trainers OF the constitution made the
Senate. through its power over conirma-
ton. a sharer with the executive IN the
great volume OF Federal patronage, they
made n sharp distinction between the
two Houses and one that was destined 10
grow wider as time went on.
There is n great deal of second choice
Henderson sentiment In the air. His
candidacy will bear watching. He may
not 20 into the fight with so many votes
as Hopkins. but he seems 90 We a second
choice Of most Of the men who Will start
I'm boy casting complimentary votes. INC
PENNSYLVANIA Republicans are now salo
to be for him. after they have cast "a COM
pIimcntary vote for General bingham
whom nobody expects can possibly be
elected Speaker.
There is m good deal Of this second
choice preference for Henderson among
" ~ Tf..f.n.I raUnrUmra and some
Grst-choice preference. How much TINS
will develop depends upon the action oil
Mr.. Moody. lie is the natural candidate
of New England. one objection raised
against him is the seniority bugaboo.
Added TO this. the increasing power or
the speaker has sin further narrowed inc
range of opportunity of the individual
representative. II be is "a thoughtful
man. he realizes this trend or events ana
would stay &c ass much as possible. TO
that end. he will Try to have the House
50 organized that at least its Speaker
will retain some individuality, and ms
power remain "a factor in legislation
Members OF the House do not want their
Sneaker am appointee Of Mr. Platt or any
other senator. The cry has been raised
that Mr.. Sherman would be I'M substance
such an app0intee. lie viii have great
difficulty I'm disproying the allegation that
ne and Mr.. Plat have always been very
close friends. and that Mr.. Platt and his
influence are being strongly worked for
sherman's success. This Will hurt his
candidacy very seriously IL kept steadily
10 the front. this issue alone may defeat
him..
SECOND CHOICE
Many congressman who CONT into
Washington from various parts OF the
....a .m- fH4H fhnrr think there Is no
better man I'm the House for the Speak
ership than Mr.. Moody. Some Of them
think him the ablost man on the floor.
and vet almost without exception they as
scrt that it is out of the question TO elect
a man who has served only two terms,
and I'm one OF these he filed out the va
cancv occasioned by the death OF General
Cogswell. How Mr.. Moody Will look at
this matter IS. perhaps. not clear. II he
is willing 20 60 into the race he VIII
doubtless have the New England support
behind him. but he may prefer to remain
I'm the background. In the hands OF his
friends, in the event Of a possible combi-
nation which might require the bringing
out of "A dark horse.
This is about the position OF Repre-
sentative Mercer, Of Nebraska, a young
man of considerable popularity, but not
comparable with Mr.. Moody IN ability ana
capacity for House leadership. Mercer
friends hope he may be drawn in at the
last as n dark horse.
John Dalzell,O of Pennsylvania, Is another
obscure candidate. in whose behalf some
plausible claims" are being made. II is
sreled that when the sherman people find
fhey cannot elect their man. rather than
ALLOW either of the western candidates,
t1ey will throw their strength 10 Mr..
Dalzoll. who IS known In Pennsylvania
40 "A Nacce. or anti-Quay. Republican.
Whether the Pennsylvania representatives
under the QUAY influence would support
Mr. D9lzell IN such "A contingency Is
somewhat doubtful. The present prospect
Is that the contest will be sharp. II will
not be an easy race for any candidate.