The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-03
SIX BALLOTS WERE CAST
OTHER CANDIDATES DEAR
MOND, BANKHEAD SULZER.
CANDIDATES FOR HOUSE OFFICERS
A Resolution Adopted Instructing Mr.. Richard
son to Confer With Speaker Henderson
and Ask Larger Democratic Re-
preservation on Committees.

Washington, Dec 2-The Democrats
Of the House Of Representatives at
their caucus held in the Hall of Repre-
sentatives this afternoon, selected Repre-
sentative James ID. Richardson, of Ten
nessee, as their candidate for Speaker
after a spirited contest, which lasted SIX
ballots. This carries with it the Demo
cratic leadership ON the floor. Mr..
Richardson has served fourteen years in
the House, and is the Oldest Democratic
member in point of service, except Mr.
McRae, Of Arkansas The candidates
against Mr.. Richardson We're Represen-
tatives DeArmond of Missouri Bank
head, of Alabama, and Sulzer, of New
York. Representative Hay, of Virginia,
was elected chairman of the caucus by
a vote of II to 60, cast for Mr.. McRae,
of Arkansas. 1t has been customary
for the oldest member in point Of SER
vice TO preside over the caucus. and the
selection Of Mr.. Hay, who has served
only one term, was an unusual honor.
The name of Mr.. Norton. of Ohio, was
also presented for presiding officer, but
was withdrawn. Representatives Cum
mings, of New York. and Robertson, OF
Louisiana, were elected Secretaries
Mr.. Richardson was placed in noIaina-
ton by Mr. Carmaek, of Tennessee. Mr.
DeArmond was nominated BY Mr.. Ben
ton, of Missouri. Mr. Bankhead was
nominated by Mr.. Ball. of Texas, and
Mr.. Sultzer, was nominated by Mr..
Cummings. of New York The first bal
lot resulted.
Richardson. Is: DeArmond, 80; Bank
head. 81, and Sulzer. -.
The -four following ballots showed lit
lie change At the end of the fifth bal
lot Mr. Underwood. Of Alabama, with
drew Mr.. Bankhead's name. and on the
first roll call of the first ballot about
two-thirds Of Mr.. Bankhead's support
ers Went to Mr. Richardson. At tho
end of the first cali the vote stood
Richardson, 60: DeArmond, A. and
Sulzer 20. Before the second roll call
began Mr.. Sulzer withdrew and asked
his friends 20 vote for Mr.. Richardson
There was general stampede to the Ten
nesseean. and he was nominated on the
sixth ballot, receiving 80 votes, against
II for DeArmond and 2 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
SuIzer, of New York, and made a
felicitious speech, thanking his colleagues
for the honor they had conferred upon
him.
The following candidates for House
officers were then selected:
Clerk, James Kerr, Pennsylvania;
Sergeant-at-Arms, x-Representative
Brookshire, Of Indiana; Doorkeeper,
Henry Moler, of Illinois, and Postmaster
George l.. Browning. of Virginia. The
caucus also selected the following Demo
Gratis to fill the four special positions al
lowed the minority party in the House:
Special enploye, Colonel Isaac r.
Hill of Ohio: special messengers, Ewing
T. Bland, OF Missouri Il son of the late
Representative Bland. of Missouri, and
FELTON, b. Knight, Of Georgia; special
page James English of Georgia.
A resolution was adopted on motion
Of Mr.. Bailey, of Texas, instructing Mr..
Richardson to confer with Speaker Hend-
erson and request larger Democratic
representation on committees In the
last Congress the minority were allow
cd six men on each committee They
now desire seven. Mr. Roberts. of
Utah. was present and participated in
the caucus. He voted for Mr.. Richard
son for Sneaker