The North-Carolina standard., 1849-12-19
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
SENATE.

MONDAY, December TO-
The Hon. John Macpherson Berrlen OF Georgia
Stephen A Douglas of Illinois, and David l.. Hulee
of Florida, appeared in their seats to-day.
There being no business before the Senate, on mo-
ton of Mr.. Hale that body adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
After the journal had been read the House proceed
ed to vote the 29th time for Speaker, as follows
Winthrop received 102; Potter, 76; Green, ~ )
Wilmot 6; H. Cobb, 5 Gentry, 5; Boyd, 3 Mill
er 3; w. ]. Brown, 3; and Messrs. Richardson
Melville, F. p. Stanton, Durkee, Bowden, McLane'
Baylv Meade S. w. Harris, and Kaufman, each.
No choice having been effected, the House voted
the 3Oth and 3lst tmes-the votes shghtly varying
only from that given above.
Mr.. Morse offered the following Preamble and
Resolution:
Robert c. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, have each
received more than 100 votes number OF ballots
be it ...-
Resolued. That the Clerk of the House be requir-
ed to place the names of Howell Cobb and Robert
C. Winthrop in a box, and the first name drawn out
by one of the pages shall be the Speaker of the 3lst
Congress. .
Mr. Morse advocated this proposition in a brief
speech, when Mr.. A. u. Brown moved TO lay Ihe
Resolution and Preamble on the table. After de-
bate of some length, Mr.. Browns motion prevailed.
Mr. Schenck then offered the following Resolution:
ResoEued, That the House do now proceed to the
election of Speaker, and that the vote be taken by
ballot.
Mr. Schenck briefly advocated the above and was
followed in opposition by Messrs. Jacob Thompson
and Venable.
Mr. Venable Said he was opposed to the resolution,
and desired to give reasons for his views DO gen
temen wish conceal from their constituents their
action on this subiect Is it because they are afraid
to have their known that they favor such prop
ositions Will any member vote upon this question
by ballot differently from the manner In which he
would vote UiuG coce? If not. how the use OF the
ballot alter the result! If gentlemen not to be
influenced by the proposed opportunity OF voting Sc
crety, (Mr. Venable understood to say,) he
could not imagine what good result for the purpose OF
the mover, was expected grow out of the adoption
of this proposition. He had desire to change the
main battle into mere skrmsh and therefore, TOR
that reason, he opposed it. He would not be the
first to make the choice of Speaker for this House
a geographical question. He would not so vote up
until compelled by others to do so in sefdetence
When driven into that position, he would occupy It,
discharging strictly what he conceived to be his duty
to his constituents. He would under no clrcumstan-
ces vote for freesoiler abolitionst. de might
be too ransparent-too frank in declaring his views
but having assured his constituents that he would not
vote for free-soiler abolitionst, he Intended
strictly to comply with that promise. He would not
finch from this ground, if the House cannot other
wise organize, until the usual time for the end of the
session rolls round. He planted himself upon this
position, and would stand there seadfas with ever
so small minority.
The Resolution was then laid upon the table; and
the House then voted again, as follows: Mr.. Win
throp received 1O1; Cobb 10; Potter, Il Wilmot. 6;
Boyd, Is; Greene, 5; Gentry, 5; VIM. ]. Brown, 53;
Miller, 3; Durkee, H. Mann, l; F. P. Stanton, l;
Meade l Strong, 8; McClernand, l Disney, I3; ;
James Thompson, 8 and A. @. Brown, 1.
Mr. Sweetzer offered Resolution proposing that
the House stand adjourned until the lst day of jan
uary, 1850. Mr.. S. advocated his Resolution at some
length, but before it put, motion, the House
adjourned amid great excitement.