Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1842-12-17
LEGISLATIVE.

dent may be called extraordinary.
At what time the "bargain and SALE
between the wings and mongrel democrats
may have been consummated it is no, now
material to asce rtain-but let this have
been when it may, the development Of the
plot was reserved until the bushes Of
the first day Of the session overspread
the Capitol, when the absence Of demo-
cratic member (Mr. Morgan) gave to the
corrupt contracting parties the appear
ance Of temporary advantage-and with
a cowaldice all their own they seized the
occasion TO appropriate to themselves the
political power Of the House by driving
the minority into an immediate organiza
,ion-a practice unprecedented in the
legislative history oil the Territory. A
sketch Of the debate which ensue6 upon
this move, az published in the Re
porter, will be found in this days Gazette.
Mr.. Rogers, Of Dubuque, young man
and a young member, but a bold and elo-
qucnt debater, is said to have distinguish
ed himself most in the discussion, and to
have driven the whig champions, one
after another, fairly to the wall. We
have to regret that we can furnish but so
meagre report Of his remarks.
II will be seen by the report Of pro-
ceedings alluded to. that the wings finally
hung their heads in shame-a bandoned
their dirty work for the moment-and
agreed TO an adjournment.
On Tuesday morning Mr.. Morgan
made his appearance in the House, was
qualified, and took his seat. This event
gave different aspect to affairs. His
vote would make tie, and that tie would
hang e:ernally. The prospect of a
thorough whig organization was thus
completely frus.rated-and it then be-
came a question with the wings whether
by compromise, they should sacrifice the
wishes Of the whig aspirant 10 the speak
er's chair, or send home pennyless and
sad the wing beggaf after the Clerkship.
Twelve votes they had, and a fellow made
a u1ongrel Of himself for their accomo-
l'dation, or for Tho pleasure Of being the
baby cake in bakers dozen, 1t is i'm
materia! which. Thus .hey stood, twelve
wings and an interloper, to thirteen demo-
Gratis, and thus they were likely TO stand,
unless they themselves took 10 the gutter.
In the despair Of the moment, they moved
that the officers Of the House be taken
equally from the two political parties OF
the Territory which motion was CARR
ed. A committee was appointed for the
purpose Of fixing the terms Of the com
promise, who reported that the officers
Of the House should consist Of demo.
cratic Speaker, whig Clerk (who has
the appointment Of an assistant Clerk
and democrat Scrgeant-at-arms (who
has the appointment Of Messenger and
Fireman which report was agreed TO.
The House then proceeded to the cleo
ton Of Speaker. Mr.. MogGAN was the
only candidate nominated, and was known
to be the unanimous choice Of the demo
Gratis Of the llouse-yet when the ballots
were counted it was found that all Of the
wings, together with the interloping mon
grel, had, doubtless by previous concert,
voted for Mr.. FELKER! Mr.. f. at once
rose up and declined candidacy-sta,ing
that If the House was, TO have demo-
cratic Speaker he desired the democrats
to have their own choicc--yet in the face
Of this positive dcclination, and in the
face Of the rebuke which Mr.. Feikner
gave them for thus using his name with
out his consent, knowledge or appreciation,
many Of the wings, throughout the two
succeeding balolings, persisted in voting
for him. a meaner insult was never
offered any man-and as Mr.. Felkner is
. mos. modes: and estimabe gentleman
the meanness of the w::igs is the less
excusab'e. Finally Mr.. Morgan was
elected ON the third ballot by the addition
Of two whig votes, who, more manly than
the rest, preferred to live upto the spirit
Of the compromise for which they had
voted, rather than disgrace themselves by
perseyering further in so disgusting a
scene, and who preferred to vote for a
man who was nominated and supported by
his friends rather than again Insult the
feelings Of gentleman who was too
honorable to lend himself to the cause Of
treachery.
| B. F. Wallace was elected Clerk-and
Of course he appointed u whig assistant.
| A Mr.. Meecham, Of Van Buren, County.
was elected Ser 5cant- alarms. He was
elected by twelve wings, one mongrel and
one democrat. So says report. And if
SO, it is very reasonable to infer that our
democratic friends have only the Speaker
as the fruit Of the compromise. 1t is,
4. - al