Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-12-29
CONTROL or NEXT
HOUSE UNDECIDED


HOUSE UNDECIDED
Washington, Dec. 96.-Revised
figures on returns OF the last cleo
tion shows definitely that neither
Democrats nor Republicans viii have
q majority OF the next house, neces-
sary TO elect a speaker, and that a
handful of independents will deter
mine which side win control the or
ganiEation.
Coneedine seats to candidates in
possession of certificates Of cleo
tion because they are certain 10 par
ticipate in the organization Of the I
house the personnel now stands:
Republicans. 2l4; Democrats. ais:
independents, 3; Progressives. : I
Prohibitionist. l.: Socialist, /; con
tested. .. A majority is ais, hence
should either Democrats or Repuh-
licans win both OF the contests. they |
will still be short Of q majority.
Independents Maintain silence
All OF the independents are main
tanning strict silence regarding their
attitude on the speakership. but the
Democratic and Republican leaders
agreed ON how most OF them will
vote. providing caucuses are held
and solidarity maintained by the two
old parties.
Kelley OF Pennsylvania, a Pro-
gressive who formerly was a DEM
ocratic member OF the house ia
listed as Democratic probability.
SO are Randall. Prohibitionist, Of
( California, who voted for Speaker
Clark the last time. and London OF
New York. Socialist, who sits on
the Democratic side and has been
shown favors by Democratic leaders.
Shall. of Minnesota. Progressive
leaders agreed. probably would lean
toward a Republican candidate II
convinced of his progresaivism. He
campaigned for the national Repub-
llcan ticket during the last cam
paign. although opposed by the regu-
lar organization In his state. Fuller.
independent, OF Massachusetts,. also
Is classed as a Republican hope.
Martin, of Louisiana. Progressive,
comes from a large sugar district
OF Louisiana and has indicated that
assurance of protection of the sugar
interest would be his first concern
in voting on the organization. He
formerly was q Democrat. however,
and Democratic leaders hope 70 got
his vote.
Two Seats Contested in Courts
Contests in which certificates have
not been issued are ON in the Thirty
second Pennsylvania district. where
! Representative BarchfieId, Republi-
can, is contesting the election OF Guy
, e. Campbell. Democrat, who on the
face OF the returns won by 46 votes,
and the Third New Jersey district.
where Representative scully, Demo-
; crat, IL opposing the election OF Rob
ert Carson, Republican. Scully now
n Is reported to have lead Of 1876
votes on the recount. but there still
are about 3O00 votes TO be passed
upon by the courts. Az least twenty
seats. it lie said, will be contested in
q the house after Il is organized.
Should the Republicans seat both
OF their contestants and hold other
a memberships solid for their eandi.
II date, they would need only two IN
0. six votes to win the speakership
lie while the Democrats would need five
le On the other hand. should the Demo
Al Gratis win the contested seats, this
:. Republicans would need four in III
= votes while the Democrats coule
!. win with three votes.
4 There il no question about tn
1. Democrats voting solidly for Speak
ri or Clark, but there are some sign
IA OF strife among the Republicans
Representative Gardner already ha
~ announced his opposition 70 Repre-
q sentative Mann. Every effort will b
y made by leaders. however. to hay
~ ~ the solid support OF Republicans -
- sured in conference before votin
:. Rfarta