The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-07
Number of ballotings.

Preston King o o I
We make no commentary on these proceedings. nor
shall we speculate the final result But there is one
part Of yesterdays proceedings which calls for brief
notice AT the session OF 1889, when the New Jersey
controversy delayed the organization OF the House, Con-
gress met on Monday. December 2. Nearly four days
were expended in unavailing attempts elect Speaker
and organize the House. But towards the close Of the
fourth day, ION Thursday resolution submitted by
Mr. Rhett Of south Carolina, to appoint temporary
chairman Of this meeting until the House should be or
ganzed nconvenent had they found TO get along
with the Clerk Of the House. who had held over from
the preceding session Finally, in place Of Mr.. Lewis
Williams, OF North Carolina, "he oldest member of the
House" whom MI. Rhe,t had originally proposed, he
"varied his motion so TO call Mr. John c. Adams to
the chair; and Mr. Rhett himself putting the question TO
the Meeting it carried, and Mr.. Adams took the
chair"
This provisional arrangement continued until Monday,
the 10th December when, after two days ballotng, and
on the eleventh ballot, Mr. Hunter, of Virginia, was
elected and took the chair.
1t will appear from the Congressional proceedings in
another place. that similar effort to that mentioned above
was made yesterday by Mr. McCernand and twill fur
Their appear from the remarks which are reported. what
strong be assigned for his proposition yet all the
wing members with exceptions, voted to lay it
on the table The resolution failed, although certainly
nothing could have been more fair or unexceptionabe
parent on q perusal of Mr.. Netherlands statement
in his reported remarks He did not claim the tenn
perary election Of Mr.. Linn Boyd by virtue Of his
standing in the House, but submitted his to Mr..
Cabell. the wing representative from Florida leav.
ing to Mr. c. 10 propose another distinguished
from the wing ranks, who named Mr.. Vinton Of Ohio.
The two names were then put into hat. Mr.. Cabell
drew out the paper inscribed with the Of Mr. Boya
and thus this gentleman proposed the House as
chairman OF the meeting But the whole proposition failed
Should therefore, any unnecessary delay take place in the
transaction Of the public business. any confusion here
after upon the floor from the agency Of the Clerk,
who cannot be expected to be well acquainted with par
amentary rules and has not from his very position, that
commanding influence necessary to keep the order of the
body the wings be answerabe for all the consequences
Will they prefera whg Clerk preside their proceed
ings rather thaa have democratic chairman who has no
other power than to preserve the order of the House
The decision of the Clerk soon after the above recited
event shows how subject he Is to errors Of judgment
For example. motion was made TO adjourn, and when
the vote taken, II impossible to decide by the
sound whether il was carried in the affirmative or the
NEGATIVES yet, although tellen called for by some
Of the members, and the ayes and noes by others, the
Clerk at once peremporly decided that "the ayes mani
testify had H." and sumnarily and abruptly adjourned
the House. This abrupt decision was as offensive as
it is impairment and unparliamen,ary.
q % ths Hence % Representative.
We copy from the Republic ofyesterday, the organ Of
Gen Taylor and the cabinet, the following remarkable
paragraph in relation 70 the election OF Speaker,
The whig Of course, will abandon their nominee
for though iney claim his election a party i-
umph they feel that The dessron Of him would be
disas'rous than his defeat
This paragraph be regarded in no other light than
authoritative proclamation from the cabinet to its
party in the House Of Representatives adhere to their
present candidate Mr. Winthrop, under all circumstan
cs, and for any length Of time, at the hazard Of
preventing any organization Of the House. II is fsctous
and revolutionary, and should be repealed with indgna-
ton by the adherents OF the administration to whom
il 90 insultingly addressed.
But does not the cabinet desire any organization Of the
House Of Representatives unless il shall be such an one
as will answer their purposes Are they 20 fearful Of
the scrutiny which they will be compelled to submit
in the event OF the election Of Speaker and the appoint
ment Of committees adverse to hem II not why is this
dictaoria and insoent order addressed TO the federal
members. through the administration organ, command
ing them to adhere the cabinets candidate at the
hazard Of preventing organization OF the House for
weeks, and perhaps for monthsi tt
And what should be the course Of TIE democratic oppo-
sion in view Of this imperial edct addressed to the
federal members Of the House Is the opposition more
anxious for an organization OF the House than the friends
Of the administration What responsibilities have the
oppositonl Are they to be told that the House shall
be organized II constant adherence to the cabinet
candidate for Speaker prevent it And are not the
members Of the opposition equally decided and deter
mined a. the administration
The balongs OF the last four days show that the OPP
position, including all the elements opposed to the admin.
istrston, have decided majority in the House. Under
such circumstances should they not prevent the election
Of federal Speaker II they should not conf
dent the event will excite surprise and regret among that
portion Of the American people opposed to the admins
taon But We are equally confident that every demo-
cratic member win faithfully do his duty to his constitu.
sns and 70 the country.
Hon. Alex. Ramsey, governor Of Minnesota, arrived in
this city Yesterday and has taken rooms m W;ard,s