The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-12-17
) congressional Proceedings.
WASHING row. Dec. Is, Il

right as thry for the rong7
Congressional Proceedings.
WASHINGTON Dec. I3, 1919.
ORGAN TZATIoN OF THE HOUSE. A. G.
Brown, of Miss, submitted resolution propo
sing that Howell Cobb be declared Speaker of
this House. He did this, he said, on account OF
his extreme anxiety that the House should be
organized without farther delay, aud because he
felt that TO the Democrats, who possessed ma
jority here, belonged the right to designate the
Speaker.
Mr.. Levin respectfully asked Mr.. B. to explain
how it was that the Democrats, having, as he
said, majority here, had so long permitted the
House to remain in disorganized state. Why
did they not at once proceed to elect Speaker
in the ordinary way
Mr.. Stanley also wished TO know how Mr.
Brown figured opt majority for the Democrats
in this House. How did he classify the author
of the Wilmot Proviso: How MIR. Giddings!
and where did he place the honorable gentleman
from New York, Mr.. King?
Mr.. Thompson, of Pennsylvania submitted a
resolution, that the subsequent trials to elect a
Speaker should be by bsll)t.
MIR. Carter, OF Ohio, moved to amend the last
proposition, by taking from the Speaker the APP
pointment OF the committees on the judiciary,
District of Columbia and the territories. There
were evidently prevailing here sectional inter
ests which prevented the organization of the
House, and which this resolution would have a
tendency to remTove.
Mr.. Meade, OF Va, made most inflamm atory
speech, in which he expressed the hope that they
should never again behold such Speaker OF this
House as the last. From short notice of the
powers of a Speaker and his influence over leg
isation. he depressed into dissertation upon the
relative attitudes of the North and South. Ii
was impossible that the latter should continue to
submit to the wrongs and insults of the last ten
years. 1t theyshould still be inflicted, every
nerve and snew in every Southern arm would
become string of steel. He would cast no i'm
putation upon the courage OF any part of the
country, but he must remind gentleman that
there WIS an inestimable difference between
men defending their fresides, and the robbers
who sought to despoiI.
Mr.. Root opposed the propositions to vote by
ballot, and to take the appointment OF the COM
mittees from the Speaker. He ridiculed the
threats thrown out OF dissolution of the Union.
In reply to the illumination of Mr.. Meade, he said
the day was gone by when any Northern man
could meet him in what he thought to be spir-
it Of concord, without political martyrdom. The
North had taken up her position, and it was that
of religious adherence to the ordinance of 1887,
that free territory must continue so. The great
North west, that held the sources Ofltheir com
mon river, the Mississippi, would forever put her
veto upon all schemes OF disunsn.
Mr. Duer, OF N. Y, would do any thing TO ter
inmate the scene of Reorganization now prevail.
ing. He would vote for any body, North or
South, Wing or Democrat, or free soiler, but not
for disunionist. He was asked by Mr.. McMul-
len OF Va. believe, if he supposed there were
any dsunionsts in that House.
Mr.. Duer replied that he was sorry to say he
believed there were few.
Mr. Bayly of Va. called upon Mr.. D. to name
them or to point them out.
Mr. Duer-Soma of than are from vot,r n "a, N
state.
Again Mr.. Bayly and others demanded OF Mr.
Duer to point out whom he supposed deserving
Of that character.
Mr. Duer replied by pointing with his finger to
Mr. Meade Of Va, who stood in the central aisle
looking at him-a and saying, 'there stands one.''
Mr. Meade-Do you mean me!
Mr. Duer--I do, sir.
Mr. Meade was understood to exclaim, witt in
teLse passion, .H is fdise," but he was not
heard Ia all p4rls or the hall.
Mr.. Duer Instantly rejoined very loudly, and
with great clearness and emphasis, f" You are a
liar"
OF course this alteration was Immediately
followed by scene OF great agitation upon the
floor. Mr.. M ade was Instantly surrounded by
many members who seemed attempting to rush
toward Mr. Duer, and When prevented beckoned
him toward the door.
Mr.. Duer maintained his position, keeping his
eye steadily and firmly Fixed upon MIR. Meade.
A scene OF great confusion here took place.
Quiet was at length restored, and Mr. Duer
apologized to the gentlemen of the House, lay
ing marked emphasis upon the word, for the
part he had bornein the recent scene, but spoke
Of the personal difficulty matter with winch
the House had no concern.
Mr. McLane hope the House would make
Speaker before adjourning. H. thought the
Democrats possessed the majority and were en-.
titled to have the Speaker.
Mr.. Toombs, OF Ca, followed 10 a. speech OF
the most exhsvAgant character. Unless the
South were restored to her proper position in
this Union, unless these assaults upon her rights
and interests we're discontinued, he would be
himself the first to raise the standard OF disunion