The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-12-28

From the Pennsy lyania Reporter.
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
W0shiaghOn City, Dec. Is, 1889

In nv last letter | gave you some ac-
count OF the means rcsorLed to by the wing
party in congress TO deprive the people OF
the sovereign State OF New Jersey, and
prevent all organization of the house, upon
The principles held out by the great body OF
the people of this country. The question,
with regard to the wNg members of the
State Of New Jersey taking their seats, in
the first instance, was discussed for two
weeks, and decided over and over again III
no less than len different forms. At length
some one or two of the whigs gave nolice
that they were tired Of agitating this ques-
ton, aid ASKED their brother wings that
they should yield the question for the pre-
sent and permit a speaker 10 be elected.
This was reluctantly assenied to by tbs OPP
position, and on Saturday las! the house
proceeded to ballot for a speaker. Mr.
Lewis of Ala. and Mr., Jones OF Va, were
the prominent democratic candidates for
speaker. aud Mr., Bell OF I'e, aud Dawson
ofGeo. were the whig candidates. Alter
six ballots on Saturday, it was asCertaned
that neither OF these four candidates could
be elected, for the res sons that the states
rights men would not vote for Mr. Jones,
aud some of the Va. delegation together
with the two Ihomas's of Maryland, or
Cave Johnson, and Mr.. Turncy oil Tennes-
see, would not vote for Mr.. Lewis, who
was a nulifer. This being the state Of
affairs, the wings pitched upon Mr.. K. Nj.
+. Hunter, who had voted with them III
some of the questions in regard to the New
Jersey case, and uniting their whole force
with the southern state rights men, he was
elected on the tn ballot.
The annunciaton of his election was
haile' with Shouts Of applause from the gal
lerie5, which was crowded with The Wing
officers of government, and the citizens Of
this city Of aristocracy. The news went
out through the city by horse and foot ex-
presses, and it was every where hailed as
gieat Whig victory, and in the couIse Of a
half an hour you could hardly find clerk,
messenger, carpet sweeper, wood carrier
or grooms of the public stables, who was
not thorough going Whig in anticipation oi
the election of Wing officers Of the House
throughout. But they all happened to for
get that Mr.. Hunter was a thorough going
Sub Treasury man, and that he made Oae
of the ablest speeches on that question at
the last session Of Congress, and when he
delivered his address to the House On the
morning OF his election, he reminded them
of the great question on which he stood
| pledged before his country, This took the
Wings all aback. and their songs Of victory
were hushed up. So confident were they
| IN tb, ergt tbo.t ba6
thing in their own hands, that on the mex
morning when the members were called up
to be sworn, they marched up their Eve con
traband New Jersey members 10 have the
oath administered 10 them, but the speakel
handed the book to Mr.. Randolp PHI, the only
Wing member from that state who Was G.
lected, and told the other five that they
must stand back until he was instructed By
tho House TO swear This was another
defeat Of the Wings, and they Immediately
introduced resolution to give these per
sons seats, although, as have before said
it has been decided ten times that they were
not entitled to seats on this Oft decided
question Mr.. John Sergeant addressed
the House for about an hour in a well stu
died speech, as all his speeches are, anC
endeavored to prove so by precedent, 70
he is a man of precedent, and parliamentary
law, which like scripture can be quoted Il
+ suit any taith--that these Wings were en-
tilled 10 their seats under the certificate o
! the Governor. MIR. Dromgooe iolIowet
and exposed the man of precedents, anc
: and showed him, the House and the coun
Try, that parliamentary law and preceden
Z could not deprive the sovereign people 0
! their rights. He went upon the true dem
D ocraic principle that the majority mus
= rule, and showed that the majority of tn
r people of New Jersey had decided agains
the Governors certified members and con
Y sequeniy it was not in the powers of III
It House to admit them, until their case Wa
g Investigated before committee.
! On the morning Mr., Johnson, of Ter
i nessee, attempted 10 get resolution befor
:, the house, 10 appoint committee, TO wa
= on the senate and President, in order tn;
r the message might be obtained, but becaus
there was whig entitled to the aoor (M