Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1849-12-25
THE REGISTER.
Jefferson County, Va.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER Is, 1919.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22nd, l849.

The long agony is, at length, over. a
Speaker of the House of Representatives
has been elected to-day in the person Of
HOWELL COBB of Georgia. 1t was not
effected however in the ordinary and per-
haps, strictly legitimate, way; but II has
been done, which is something. 1t began
to be very apparent that the House was
fast wearing out its power to prolOng the
rather remarkably good behaviour ION the
whole) which it had for some time main
tanned during its unorganized condition
and no doubt, this impression fastened
many members TO yield their personal or
party preferences to their respect for the
honor of the House, and the credit of the
Nation. When man like Mr.. Toombs
of Georgia had got SO far as to deny in so
many words any authority to the Clerk
to maintain order, ii was high time 10
forget all considerations, but the very
highest, in the grand purpose of organiza-
ton, Let all, then, rejoice that it has been
done.
The immediate instrumentaIity by which
the desirable result was accomplished, was
a resolution offered by Mr.. Stanton, a
Democratic member of Tennessee, but
consisting substantially of the plan of or.
ganization offered on the part of the wing
members some time since by their Com
mittec TO the democratic members. 1t was
as irS,llows:
ResOlved, That tile House will pro-
ceed Immediately to the election of a
Speaker rira uoce ana If after the vote
shall have been called three tInes' no
member shall have received a majority n
the whole number of votes, the roll shall
again be called, and the member who shall
then receive the largest number of votes,
provided it be a majority Of quorum,
shall be declared to be chosen Speaker.
This resolution met with great resist
ance on the part of few, but particularly
the Free Sellers. with Giddings at their
head. 1t was eventually adopted by ll3
yeas to lO6 nays.
Under the operation Of this resolution
three ballots (6Oth, 6lst, and ed were
had without obtaining clear majority of
the whole for any member, when on the
63rd ballot Mr.. Cobb received l02, Mr..
Winthrop 100, Mr.. D. Wilmot 8, and y
scattering. This settled the question and
made Howell Cobb Speaker.
After this had been declared by the
I Clerk of the House, Mr.. Root of Ohio,
moved that the mode of election was I'M
constitutional, but on the question being
taken it was decided against him by l49
to 80. When this had been disposed of,
the Speaker was conducted to the chair by
Messrs. Winthrop and Mcdowell, duty
that was performed amidst profound 81
lence and great sensation. Mr.. Cobb then
made brief address to the House, indi
eating his sense of the difficulty under
which his election had been effected, and
his full consciousness of the embarrass-
ment, weight, and responsibility, with
which his new position was surrounded.
He implored the blessing of Heaven on
their efforts the conARg session to bring to
successful issue the many.yltally impor-
tant measures, which pressed for enact
ment and decision.
He was then sworn in by. Mr.. Linn
BOYD, the senior member, and the House
adjourned till Monday noon, when the
Executive message will be received. The
members in general will be sworn in on
Monday, previous to the delivery of the
message.
The City, generally, is pleased at the
choice of Speaker, though many cram
XIV, cantankerous fellow gloTied in the long
nauss. Washington does not wear, as ii
seems TO me, the ordinary aspect of bust
ness and hustle of former winters, though
one marks in every quarter, signs of i'm
10 vement in buildings, stores, &c.