The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-20
From the Nashville Union, Oct. ID.
THE SENATE ORGANIZED-MR. WAT
TERSON.

THE SENATE ORGANIZED-MR. WAT
TERSON.
At the close of the fourth day of the session. the
senate succeeded in becoming organized for BUSH
ness The following are its officers:
Harvey M. Watterson, speaker.
George w. Rice, principal clerk.
William H. Warner, assistant clerk.
-- Seaman, doorkeeper.
The selection of Mr. Watterson to preside over
the senate will be highly gratifying TO his democrat
ic friends. We may be pardoned for referring to
one circumstance in the political history of the
speaker of the senate, which seemed to call for such
an expression on the part of his democratic col
leagues. After serving four years in Congress, Mr..
Wasterson voluntarily declined a reelection, and
accepted commercial agency, rendered by Presi-
dent Tyler, to Buenos Ayres. Whilst filling this
station, he was nominated to the United States Sem
ate as charge daffaires to the country in which he
was. This nomination was rejected by the Senate
the wings having the control in that body. As
soon as MIR. W. returned amongst his old friends,
they determined to give him as strong manifesto
ton of their confidence and attachment as was in
their power--they elected him to the senate, by a
majority of fifteen hundred votes over democratic
competitor. His selection now by his democratic
colleagues, endorsed it has been by the casting
vote of wing senator, must be peculiarly crafty
ing to the friends Of Mr.. W., who have regarded
his rejection by the Senate unustifable act Of
party prescription. No one ever doubted the qua-
UCduOHS Oh MI w lot the sIhlOn 10 winch nc was
nominated. In the legislature of Tennessee and in
Congress- he established high character for talents
which is fully and freely awarded by all. He will
discharge the duties Of his present station with
prompness and ability. His friends will rejoice to
know that the blow aimed at him by his political
enemies has inflicted injury; that he still has the
confidence of the democracy, and that he is fully
titled to that confidence. 5
ORGANIZATION OF THE TWO HoUsEs.--The two
houses of the general assembly were not fully or
gained for business until the close of Thursday
the house being detained day and a half waiting
on the senate. We have already referred to the
embarrassments and obstacles to speedy organiza-
ton, growing out of the great number of candidates
for the different Offices. The number of candidates
has not been greater, as we suppose, than usual;
but we think there has been more disposition among
the members 70 adhere to their respective avorites
than former occasions. This is spirit commend
able in itself, but liable to be INDUCED too far for
speedy organization of the two houses.
The great difficulty in organizing, grew out ofthe
embarrassment in the senate in choosing speaker;
nearly three days were consumed in the experiment
made by the minority in trying to enforce the doc
rine that they had the right to select the individual
to be elected speaker by the majority. The majori'
ty felt themselves justified in resisting this expert
ment until 1t was apparent that the public interests
must be materially affected. Without surrendering
the principles or conceding the right claimed by the
minority, the difficulty was finally removed by the
voluntary withdrawal of the candidate Of the ma
jority. BY their votes the minority had indicated
their willingness that the majority might elect either
Mr. Thomas, Mr.. Fletcher, Mr.. Williamson, or
Mr. Martin. Neither of these gentlemen was can
didate-neither desired the votes Of the whigs-and
each one voted uniformly for Mr.. Gardner. When
Mr. Gardner voluntarily withdrew his name, to put
stop to the consumption of the public time and
money, and when it appeared that the minority
were about to adhere to their experiment, Mr..
Bradbury resolved to remove the difficulty, and cast
his vote for Mr.. Watterson. He deserves, and will
receive praise, for preferring the public interest
the qualification of his party feelings.
We have referred to the difficulties which have
attended the organization of the two houses that
the true causes might be known. They have pro.
duced the impression that the present ia to be pro-
tracted session--we reason for such an opin-
ion. The same difficulties cannot again occur, and
in the end there may be great to regret the
delay which has been occasioned