Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-12-20
mr. WIN. J. Brown aud the Speaker
shin.

Mr.. WIN. j. Brown aud the Speaker
ship.
We copy the following articles from the Washing
ton Union of Dec. Is. The same paper contains four
columns Of proceedings in the House, upon the same
subject. We shall endeavor to copy these pro-
ceedings, that Mr. Brown may be placed right, be-
fore his constituents.
From the Union.
No Speaker yet!
We leave it TO reporter to sketch the scenes
which were exhibited on the floor of the House YES
ierday. We had expected that democratic Speaks
would be elected, and that Mr.. William J. Brown of
Indiana, was destined to that unenviabc honor.
The commencement Of the ballot which was taken
Immediately on the meeting of the House calcU-
lated to confirm these impressions; but three of the
southern members, (Messrs. Bocsck and Seldom of
Virginia, aud Wallace OF South Carolina ) who had
voted for him Tuesday, threw their votes IN this
occasion, so as to defeat election. Mr. Browns
vote amounted to ll2-l14 being the majority Of The
whole-so that he wanted only votes OF being
elected. Mr.. Cobb, of Alabama, had VOTED for him.
Mr.. Holmes Of South Carolina, voted for Mr.. B,w-
don. Mr.. Brown received the vote of Mt least FIVE
free-soilers, viz: Messrs. Allen, Durkee, Giddngs
Preston King, and Wilmot. The three votes Of the
southern members, however. defeated the election.
scene then took place IN the hall which almost
battles description We must refer to our reporter
sets, Ian abolition whig,) the first to address u-
quiries to the democratic side of the House any
correspondence which had passed between the free
solers and MIR. Brown, which finally drew from Mr..
Brown long explanation of the position he had
coPed aud also the production of the letter which he
had addressed to MIR. Wilmo He concluded by
thanking the House for the support which they had
given to him. and Withdrawing his name from the
canvass The letter which produced so much feeling
In the House, will speak for ITSELF /; surprised
ny and deeply mortified his former friends; and
many of the southern members to clear the skirts
of his southern supporters Of the vote which they
had just given to him, and declared that if they could
have suspected in the slightest degree his pursuing
such course, they would have cast their votes
for hun. Messrs. Robinson and Dunbam Of Indiana,
rose to explain his letter and defend his course.
This is not the time, amid the "hurly -burly" Of
the passing scene, review all the incidents of this
extraordinary transaction We spoke yesterday of
Mr. Brown being admirably calculated to discharge
the duties of the Chair" We deeply regret, and
sincerely dsapprove. the position in which he has
placed himself We had hoped to hail him the
Speaker OF the House. We had regarded him us
politician who perfectly satisfactory to the
South and yet so fair in his principles, and firm
in his course, that he would citizen Of the whole
country, as attached to the Union, and to all her
great interests, do full JUSTICE in the designation Of
the committees and in the administration Of the pow
ers Of the Chair to all parts of the nation and to
1
the question: and the democratic party must look for
some other candidate TO fill the Chair.
! The wings considered themselves fully defeated
when the ballot touk place. They thrown into
glorious confusion Their votes were scattered in
all directions. And the reader must therefore con-
ceive with what delight they received these revela-
tuns, and how much they chuckled the effects
which were displayed in the ranks of the republican
party. We not accustomed, however, to "de-
sPair of the republic" The democratic party are
fortunately wanting in strong and able leaders TO
conduct them to victory and it is to be hoped they
| will yet rally upon some democrat who will succeed
in reaching the Chair.
i After much debate and without proceeding to aDo-
Their ballot the House adjourned in much excitement,
at early hour.
To the Editors Of The Union:
/ Having spoken to-day in the House under much
excitement, and, in the confusion which prevailed,
presuming no correct report of my remarks will be
furnished, ask, in Justice to myself that you pub
lish this communication
After had received SO votes for Speaker, on Mon
day last, and after the House had adjourned. was
sent for to 60 to the room of member. When
arrived there, learned that ii for the purpose of
having conference with Mr.. Wimot, of Pennsyi-
rania, who soon after came into the room. He in
formed me that they satisfied with the position
of Mr.. Potter, of Ohio and had been ready TO vote
for him, if the time Ind arrived when their votes
Would nave mace CnOlces mat they were willing
TO vote for me If | would agree TO give them fair
committees the District of Columbia the Judicia-
ry, and on Territories; that neither himself nor the
gentleman from New York, (Mr. p. King.) desired
to be upon these committees that all he and his
friends asked was, that the ablest of the differ.
ent parties. and both sections of the Union, might
selected but they asked shat they should be Impair
tiaI and appropriated upon The question of slavery
that their fears were, that might constitute these
committees to stlfie what he regarded the public
sentiment of a majority of the country. J stated to
him. in reply, that regarded his request reasona-
BILE. and that, if elected, should constitute these
committees of fau aid impartial men ; that whatever
might be my views upon any and all questions,
would not use my power as Speaker in such manner
to prevent any important question from being full
ly presented and discussed in the House. Mr.. Will
mot appeared satisfied. and left In short time
received from him the following note
l DECEMBER TO- 1S49.
DEAR SR In the conversation which had with you
this evening" you were free say that il elected Speaker
of the House of Representatives you would constitute
he Committee Territories, the Judiciary and the Dis
trc of Columbia IN that should be satisfactory
to myself and the ends with whom have had the hon
or have communicated this my friends anc
IT, in reply to th. uote you can give them the same as
surance, they will give you cheerful and cordial sup
port Respectfully, yours, ID. WILMOT.
Hon. WV. J. BRowS.
| knew the reason why was Intercepted. hat
always been regarded as entertaining feelings more
friendly to the South than minority of the repre-
sentatives from the North As member of the 26tt
Congress had advocated the application of the Mis-
E souri, compromise to the Texas bill, and had voted
against the application of the ordinance to the Ore
gon bill, because it north Of that line. For fou
years | had been Assistant Postmaster General ant
had neither voted at election nor been a member
of Congress, and had opportunity of recording my
vote upon these exciting questions. did not, there
fore. object to placing my verbal declarations upor
! record | Immediately addressed 10 Mr. Wilmof thu