Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1849-12-19
CONGRESS-.

ted an organization, but far from the cleo
ton Of a Speaker the first day Of the ses
sion. At the date of the last account from Wash
ington every thing was in confusion.
In last il was stated that Mr.. Potter, OF Ohio,
had been taken up as the Democratic candidate
He was subsequently, dropped, and Mr.. w. j.
Brown, of Indiana, became the regular candidate OF
the party. This individual was for several years
the Second Assistant Postmaster General and while
in the receip, os salary of $4,000 from the govern
ment, went about the country making speeches in
favor Of Cass and Butler. Very soon after the in
auguraiion of Gen. Taylor, ne resigned his office,
and going back to Indiana, proclaimed himself the
first of the political martyrs and by Thus operating
upon the sympathies of his party, secured his cleo
ton 10 Congress. On the It'll, at the 39ih ballot,
Brown received 100 votes; Winthrop lOl ;sca,,er.
ing 10.
On the e2th, at the 40th ballot, Brown received
| IL votes, and lacked only two of being elected
the Wings voted for particular candidate. Be
fore another ballot was had, developments were
made in reference to Mr.. Browns sentiments on
the subject Of the Wilmot Proviso which produced
such a scene Of excemen, as had never before been
witnessed in the Halls of Congress. He had been
supported by Soothern Democrats under the belief
prottssedly, that he was opposed TO the Wilmot
ProvIso-ano'hcr "Northern man with Southern
princlPles'-but correspondence between him and
Mr.. NlImot was unexpectedly brought to light, in
which he promised the Free Sellers all that they
desired. should he be elected Speaker. The discov
cry of this intrigue excited the greatest indignation
and disgust on both sides of the House. F.ypana-
tons We're attempted by Mr. Brown and his friends
and colleagues, Messrs. Robinson and Dupham but
the Southern Democracy very properly refused to
be paclfed and the selfconstitu,ed proto marlin.
was unceremonousy laid aside. The letter of Mr..
Brown is dated December 10Th, and is rs follows:
DEAR n:-In answer tn yours If this date |
Will state that, should be elected Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Twill constitute ti,a cnn,
mlttees ON the District of Columbia on Territories
and on The Judiciary, in such manner as Shall he
satisfactory To yourself and your friends. I am a
representative from free State, add have always
lleve that the federal government should be relieved
from the responsibility of slavery where they have
the constitutional power to abolish it.
am yours, truly, w. j. BROWN.
Hon. DAVID WILMor
The sessions of Thursday, the l3lh was charac-
terised by confusion and disorder. A difficulty oc-
Cured between Mr.. Duer, of New York, and Mr..
Meade, of Virginia, in which the former called The
latter liar. M. Meade rushed forward and gen
erai rash and confusion ensued--the ladies in the
galleries cried out murder-ihc Sergeant at Arms
was called III, and finally, after great excitement
order was restored. The difficulty between the
two gentlemen was amicably settled the next day
by the Intervention of mutual friends.
During the day number of eloquent, but inlam-
do tI,o 81,
dissolution Of the Union Sc, and some of a concil-
iatory character. Another frutIess effort made
TO elect Speaker-tlie Wings generally voted for
Winthrop, and the Democrats for Cobb.
Various propositions were made, on the l4ih, by
different members with view to facilitate the
organization, none OF which were adopted. Three
votes were taken viva voce. At the last-lhe 44lh
i'll all-Mr. Boyd. of Kentucky received the high
est number of Democratic votes and Mr. Stanley,
of North Carolina, the highest number of Whig-
81 and 40 speclivey-necessary 10 choice | r.
Three votes were mad on Saturday, on the last
of which Stanley received Go Boyd s6-he rest
scattering.
a Observation-Disclosures AND BROWN.
! We have seldom witnessed more disgusting
development of political depravy than that exhibit
ed in the intrigue Of Mr. Brown of Indiana with
Mr.. WrLMoT and the Free sellers, for the purpose
of securing his election TO the Speakership of the
House of Representatives. An overweeninc ambi
tion has plunged him into an abyss Of depra-
Gation from which there can 6e no resurrection
The double face assumed By this man fer the pur-
pose OF concentrating upon himelfhe vote both of
the Southern Democrats ard the Free Sellers is
hideous TO look upon than The tariff faces worn
by Mr.. Polk in Al rivals TIE nne lives OF Gen.
CAss in deception, and beats them in success, and
the Democrats themselves have never charged e.
ven Old HAIRY CLAY, with the Use Of mask ha If
so frightiGl The plot has drawn down upon the
head Of the dsgraced author torrent of Indignation
deserved A statement Of the facts will be found
under the Congressional head.
Revolving the affair is 10 every honorable mind
il is rendered still abhorrcnt by contrast with
the course Of Mr. WINrnIop when similarly in
terrogated two years ago In reply to letter from
Mr.. PALFREY, in which class Of questions were
propounded similar TO those proposed To Mr. BgowN,
me states with characteristic candor and high mind
edness, eff am TO occupy that Chair, must 90
into il without pledges ofany kind" 'SliII less
could feel il consistent with my own honor after
having received and excepted general nomination,
and just the eve Of the election to frame an
swers TO specific questions, like those which you
have pTopUuudcd, 10 be shown to a few gentlemen,
as You suggest, and 10 be withheld from the great
body Of the Whgs''
This is the man who has been supported by South
crn Whips-the former ike man who c,tnc within