Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-12-25
THE PLURALITY RULE.

Sorthcrn Democrats who were compelled vote against
Mr. Stanvs resolution Saturday though they voted Tor
Mr. Cobb and anxousy desired his election we publish me
uor,ds accom-; of the caucus on the 18th inst which is
substan,iaed BY other statements. 1t will be seen that
Judge Bayy had resisted the plurality principle as vioafive
Of the constitution and therefore, he and those thinking
with him could not consistently differently in the
House Their course is beyond cav from any quarter
We regrc, tina; Mr. Seldom present 10 vote for Mr.
Cobb, with whose election he is much grsticd:
PROCEEDINGS IN CAUCUS.
HALF PAST II O'clock, p. NJ.
The Democrats and Wings, respectively met in caucus
this evening. hut 10 no important resolution Inc De-
uocras met a0ui surcatyre strong, with Jacob lhoinp-
SON Mississippi in the chair and John L. Robinson oi
Indiana Secretary. 49,.
.sd {I' f e party should put candidate i Sr~-a
nomination. and adhere 10 him; and that that candidate be
Men had tried from the North, South East and West
and Cobb has shown himself than of them
which was endorsed BY Mr. Brown OF Mississippi except
that Mr. Brown objected 10 the plurality mode OF cecting
Judge Bayy made long, able, and amusing speech III
which he opposed all OF compromise with the wings
and insisted the Democrats adherng TO their own candl-
dates He insisted that the Democrats in the minority
and consequently not responsible TO the country tor the want
of organization.
Mr. Cobb of Georga made short, able and appropriate
speech in which he opposed all sorts of compromise and all
plurality votes; stating that the Wings had made PROPOSE.
lions las nc undesIoo TO give the Democrats the Speaker
provided the Democrats would give them three or four VI the
most
Democrats were to do that and the Wings should make ex
travagan appropriations the Democratic party would he
held responsible for those appropriations and would be ar
rcd by the Wings that the Democrats had majority else
they could not have elected their Speaker He regarded their
Committee Of Ways and Me important than The
Speaker as that committee was the key 10 the treasury
Mr. Morse, of Louisiana, followed, and expressed himself
in favor ola compromise for the purpose OF eiecng an or
ganzation -,
ling position taken by Bayy and Cobb and insisting
that plurality is unconstitutional Mr.. Stanton
was for a compromise with the Wings
John K Miller of Ohio insisted he belonged 10 the Demo-
cratic party and the Democratic party gained any
thing, but always lost, by compromise with the Wings
that the Wings are not party OF principles and tha con-
liuns for Il compromise should from them-ha they
had everything gain and nothing lose but that he
astonshed when hoary Democrats talked Of compromising
with the Wings He for presenting Democratic can
ddatc Speaker and voting for him till the month o Au-
gust The administration had already laid estimates on his
desk from which he inferred that the House shall
be organized they would about millions OF dol.
lars.
Mr. Hail. of Missouri did consider the plurality rule
unconstitutional and urged the caucus TO its adoption
Mr. Strong, Of Pennsylvania opposed the plurality rule,
account OF its unconstutionay and made very able
argument on the subject.
NJ. Richardson of Illinois, was for making nomination
| Mr. Meade for the
Mr. Mason of Kentucky, made waggish speech, hitting
everybody in pleasant hamor.
nominee
At last the debate having continued till about II o'clock,
both moons--to ecc' by puEaliy ana 10 pun chueae
in nomnaion--weTe withdrawn, there remaining but nifty
members present. and this being considered enough TO bind
party agreed that the Chairman alappoint
committee of FIVE invite every Democratic member 70
to be held in the same place tomorrow evening Mr.
Bfcwn OF Miss ssrp Mr. McLane ofMaryand, Mr.. Meade
OF Virginia, Mr. Ll;llsicld OF Maine and Mr.. Miller OF
Ohio, are the committee.
From the feeling cvinced in caucus Mr. Cobb will, no
doubt be renomnled Tomorrow, and supported TO the end
of time.
The wings have held caucus raherhave me, in coun
Gil of warMr Morchead presiding, and Mr. Brooks acting
Secretary II all conrersasione Nothing DONE
the resolution persevcred n adhere 10 Mr. Winthrop
the parties stand pretty much the beginning OF the
session.