The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-07

80 Affairs In Washington.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, l047.
It is vergiug close upon Sunday The whigs and
the democrats have each had caucus At the
democratic meeting they did nothing but count
noses, from which, we suppose, they vii! run
Lynn Boyd for Speaker, and the old list OF off-
GERS, from the clerk down, for their respective
places.
ninety-seyen members present-inclmdlng, aslwe
understand, all the doubtful ones. Hon. George
Ashmun, of Massachusetts,, was called to the
Chair, and the Hon. MIR. Stevens, OF Georgia,
was appointed Secretary After some preimi-
nary conversation, the caucus proceeded TO vote
for candidate for Speaker, and Mr.. Vinton, OF
Ohio, received large majority OF all the votes
given-whereupon;
Mr. vinton, in a beautiful speech, defined his
reasons for declining the nomination, an all sui
take the discharge of the arduous and lung-split-
ting duties Of the Office. From the first he had
no intention OF accepting the offer, If made to
hum, OF the Speakership His health was so
and the extraordinary labors OF the Office were
conclusive to his decision, under any possible
contingency.
ffty-one votes, Caleb B. Smith. some twenty
votes, the balance were scattered among half
dozen other capable men. The caucus, there
upon, resolved, mem con. that Mr.. Winthrop
should be the wing nominee for Speaker.
Some conversation followed on the question
of The clerkship--ehe party could act only by
ciliation-without it, they could do nothing;
tor it, all required sacrifices ought to be made.
The South had united with the North upon their
Speaker, aud the North should and would unite
with the South for the clerk. Entertaining these
views, the friends of Mr.. John c. Clark, OF New
York, Withdrew his name.
During the afternoon, an informal meeting OF
a portion of the wings had been held, to which
MIR. Sargent, of Pennsylvania, having been in
formed Of the probable junction OF the wings in
caucus upon Southern man for clerk, and OF
their desire to provide for Mr.. Sargent with the
next best office, with his concurrence, sent in
his answer that he was at the discretion of his
friends, and would have no complaint to make
if his claims were entirely postponed, in refer
ence to any Office which the House might have
to bestOw.
Mr.. Sargent was not, therefore, considered
in the general caucus as candidate tor the
clerks hip, and without difficulty. though there
were still host of Candidates on hand, the eau
Gus united upon Mr.. Thomas Jefferson Camp
bell, Of Tennessee, at one time member OF Con-
gress, we believe, and for many years clerk OF
the House of Representatives, OF the tennessee
legislature.
These two great difficulties of the Speakership
and Clerkship having been thus amlcably set
tied, it was further agreed that Mr.. Sargent be
of New Jersey, the candidate for door-keeper,
and Mr. Mccormick for Postmaster OF the
House.
Mr.. Sargent is that same " Oliver Odschool,"
OF the late Cntte6 STATES U0xetIe WI. IlOIhCI
is New Jersey editor, so that two Of the press
gang are among the1ucky cards this time.
Upon the Speaker and the Clerk it is expected
there will be an united whig vote; the others are
not altogether certain, though the chances are
certainly in their favor
The elcctloneerlng scenes at the hotels, LOT the
last six days, have been rich beyond description;
The Senate, it is agreed, wi i'll maintain Its old
different plan from that of the HOUSE. There Is
not SO much turning and turning on account OF
difference of opinion on political distractions
The Senate is Justly regarded as the most dlgnl-
though even in the Senate, they Will sometimes
go into caucus to chatter about the politics OF a
doorkeeper But that Is not often, and wnen II
does happen, theyget through with 1t as quick.
~ ~ Is possible ''f 'ne' are ashamed 70 70 ~
COL Benton will continue to attend the court
martial. He says that heretofore he has always
set aside his own business tor that OF 'he pubic,
but hereafter he intends, especially In cases ike
this to give his preference tor the cause OF hlm-
self and his children, when the public service
can 60 on without him.
We understand that Cave Johnson iniends 10
sage, by taking days start on the Lightning
line. Ii would really be good idea. The mes
sage will probably be read IN the two Two, Houses on
Tuesday IHE DOCTOR.
The hotels are all crowded in the yestlbule
This evening, members and strangers, citizens
and interlopers, the Sins and the OUTS" are
gathered into crowds at Coleman's and Browns,
at Gadsby's, the United States, and at Tyler's,
and Fuller'e, and Will, ards hotels, and the uni
versal subject is the Offices of the House, and the
aominees, and the calculation of the chances for
a clean sweep of the ''subs' OF the House.
The wings will have'a clear majority tO-mor
row. The Mississippi members are not up, and
will probably be behind hand. One democratic
member from Illinois, it rs said, has gone down
TO Georgia on a speculation with drove OF
| a IL. al al
over Mr.. Pillsbury, of Texas, will be absent;
so that the wings will be apt to carry through
their whole ticket, from the speaker to the third
assistant door. keeper, like knife.
The rule of rotation is the rule when you are
out, but prescription is bad thing when you are
in On! KRIKEY.