Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-12-28
From the Baltimore Sun.
Thirty-First congress--Ffrst session.


days proceedings, Mr. F. P Stanton desired to pre-
sent d proposition. He was aware thatit was not
in order to debate It was the plan of organization
offered on the part of the whig members, by their
committee, to the democratic members, of whose
committee he was member.
TCries of g Order ~ s:Order p
Here followed a great excitement. MIR. Toombs
claiming his right to address the House dozen
members were addressing the House at once.
Here Mr.. Toombs proceeded to address the House
at considerable length in speech upon the legal and
constitutional right of the House to pass the rule
compelling members to vote upon resolutions, with
out the liberty of assigning for their respec
tive votes. During the delivery of this argument
only detached sentences of which could b heard by
the reporter half the House speaking, shouting
and calling to order; and the Clerk calling over
the roll upon the question of resembling the resou
ton or rule preventing debate, made time be-
fore by motion of Mr. Inge.
The Clerk here put the question on the motion to
rescind the rule prohibiting debate until Speaker
shall have been elected and it was decided by yeas
and nays in the negative-yeas 81, nays 40.
Mr.. F. P Stanton called for the reading of his pro-
position, which was read follows:
RESOLVED, That the House will proceed Immediate
" to the election of Speaker, vivG Uoce and if af
ter the vote shall have been called three times, no
member shall have received majority of the whole
number of votes, the roll shall again be called, and
the member who shall then receive the largest num-
Der of votes provided it be majority of quorum,
shall be declared to be chosen Speaker.
Mr.. Meade offered resolution, which he said was
designed a substitute for that of the gentleman
from Tennessee Mr.. Stanton, and it was read by
/ the Clerk, as follows
RESOLVED, That after the vote has been taken for
Speaker next after the adoption of this resolution,
the House shall proceed to vote between the four
members receiving the greatest number of votes and
if neither receive majority, the House shall then
vote between the three members receiving the lar
gest vote, and if choice be made the House shall
choose the Speaker from the two members who shall
have last received the greatest number of yotes and
no votes shall be counted that not given to
other of the persons thus designated and the same
rule shall apply in the election OF the other officers
of the House
Mr. Stanton desired to offer his proposition, previ-
ously presented to the House, and demanded a vote
upon it.
The Clerk here again read the proposition of the
gentleman from Tennessee Mr.. Stanton
Amendments and substitutes were then offered by
Mr.. Kaufman of Texas, and Mr.. Giddngs, which
were rejected.
The resolution of Mr. Stanton, as above, was then
adopted, by vote of 113 to LOG.
From the moment that this resolution adopted,
the deepened in interest The process of voting
slow full of interest and every turn of the scale
was watched with the greatest anxiety. The House
was absorbed with the votes that were given. The
galleries were crowded with anxious multitude.
It was obvious on the first ballot that Messrs Howell
Cobb and Winthrop were the prominent candidates
of the two great political parties.
On the first rol-call, Mr. Cobb received 95 votes,
Mr.. Winthrop 90-scattering 80.
On the I'd, Mr.. Cobb 96, Mr.. Winthrop 92-scat-
terng 80.
On the Sd, Mr.. Cobb 81, Mr.. Winthrop 97-scat-
tering 81. Still no majority.
Then the final vote taken, and it turned on the
plurality principle when Mr.. Cobb received lOE
votes and Mr.. Winthrop 100-Mr. Cobbs majority 2
The following the scattering votes the last
ballot:
For Mr.. Wil,not-Messrs Allen Booth, Durkee
e Giddings, Howe, Julian, P. King, and Root.
| For Mr.. SteDheRS-Nr. Cabell.
For Mr.. &rong-Messrs. Cleveland, Doty, Peck
For Mr. ColcocE;-Mr Holmes.
r For Mr.. observation-disclosures. Morton, Owen, Ste
phens, and Toombs
e For Dir. Drkee-Mr. Wilmot.
4 For Mr.. Potter-Mr. Wood.
e For Mr. Bop-Mr. Woodward.
The Clerk then prepared to declare Howell COBB
of Georgia. have been elected Speaker Of the Bis
Congress; when
? Mr. Stanly offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That Howell Cobb, representative from
4 Georgia, be declared duly elected Speaker of thu
e House of Representatives for the 31st Congress.
Mr. Schenck protested against calling the yeas ant
e nays. Mr.. Cobb having already been elected thu
Speaker of the 31st Congress. But amid great con
fusion, the roll was called agreeing to Mr.. Stan
Tvs resolution and the resolution was agreed to
yeas 149, nays 33,
!. The Clerk then declared that Howell Cobb Rep
resentatve from the State of Georgia. had been duly
elected the Speaker of the 3lst Congress- and reques
ted Messrs Winthrop and Mcdowell to conduct hin
to the chair which duty performed by these gen
tlemen amid profound silence and great sensation
The Speaker elect then addressed the House fol
, lows:
+ Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
It would be useless to disguise the fact that fee
l. deeply embarrassed in taking the Chair under tn
o circumstances attending my election.
IS am conscious of the difficulties by which this pc
e siton is surrounded at the present time.
e The peculiar organization of this body, exhibi
J. ted in proceedings since first met-the natur
: and character of the various important and exctn
questions of public policy which will engage at
tention during the present session of Congress
It spire to render the duties of the Office peculiarly
e barrassing, onerous and responsible. may be per
mitted therefore to ask in advance your generou
aid and support in the effort | shall make firmly
is faithfully and impartay to discharge its duties
r The country has been looking with anxiety to on
l. efforts to effect organization people will con
tnue to regard with intense interest every step
n take in our legislative Our duties will be la
g borious-our responsibilities great Let us them i
view of these considerations invoke in the dscharg
of these duties patriotism as broad as the Union
and comprehensive the nature and character
is her various interests and institutions Guided
this spirit under the blessing of Heaven actio
he will result in the continued prosperity of
u mon country.
lg Accept, gentlemen, my grateful acknowledgment
for the honor you have conferred in selectn
e. your presiding officer during the present Coz
n gress.
y Mr.. Vinton said that the annual communicate
I'd from the Executive had been delayed so long as
render it highly important that it should 60 forth
w the country anxious to receive it, without create
delay He would therefore propose, for the purpos
IN of promptly communicating the fact of the organize
r ton of the House officially to the Senate that tt
OF members be now in.
ey The clerk then called Mr.. Linn Boyd, the senit
Re member to the desk who administered to the Speal
b, er the customary oath of office.