The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-06

N.
poy clerk during the present session. and that such clerk
be paid the rate Of compensation as heretofore paid
persons employed in that capacity. pf
The question being then put by the presiding officer
(Mr ATcHIsoN being in the chair the resolution was
adopted. a
The Senate adjourned. ,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
After the reading Of the journal, A
Speaker which being agreed 10 by general consent The
telers-Messrs. Hn.LIARD, MILLER, STRoRG, and DuER
took seats at the desk. and the roll called for the
18th ballot with the following result:
Whole number of votes cast, 223
Necessary to a choice, liz. as HI gas+ /.
Howell Cobb received 50; Winthrop, 81; Root, 1;
Potter, Cleveland 2; Richardson, 4 Gentry. 5; H.
Mann. I; and venabe, Allen, P, King, and F r. Stan
The changes on this vote rom the last vote taken on
dings. p King, Tuck, and Wilnot who voted for Mr.
Root; Mr.. Booth for Mr. Cleveland; Mr. Inge for Mr.
for Mr. Allen; and Mr.. p King for Mr.. Wentworth.
No choice being made, the House went on with the
18th ballot. resulting as follows:
Whole number of votes cast, 223 5&
Howell Cobb received OF; Winthrop, 97 Root, i; Pot
3; Harmanson, Allen, Booth, and F. p Stanton one
each.
The changes on this ballot were, Mr. Harlan for Mr.
Potter Mr. Holmes for Mr. Harmanson; and Mr..
The House next proceeded with the 18Th ballot, with
the following result:
Whole number of votes cast, 223.
Necessary to a choice, Il2.
Mr.. H. Cobb received 80; Mr.. Winthrop, IS Mr..
Root, q; Mr.. Potter, 81 MIR, Richardson, 81 Mr. Ceve.
land, q; Mr. Gentry, S; and Messrs H. Mann, w.
Harris, and Allen, one each
The changes on the 18Th ballot were. Messs Carter,
Messrs. R. w. Johnson and Woodward for Mr. Richard
son; Mr.; Campbell for MIR. Winthrop; and MIR. Holmes
When the result Of this ballot had been announced,
Mr. JOHNSON of Tennessee ered he following
olution:
Resolved, That the Of the House for Speak
e. no shall Isseiye %slG Of all the Votes
Speaker Of the House of Representative for the
session. and be so declared by he Clerk.
Mr. j., in explanation OF the reasons for the intro
duction OF this resolution, remarked that he would
be 10th TO interfere with the established custom
der other circumstances; but at present, il being APP
is required he indisposed perpetuae the existing
condition OF affairs, working 50 much mischief for
the public service He desed that Speaker should be
chosen, and would prefer TO have any competent wing
democrat in the chair to permitting the public business to
suffer much longer thus from the state Of the House So
would he thought Doubles Se as iaSay s discharged
by officer chosen by plurality vote by majority
His design was but TO elect Speaker so as to proceed
with the public business and dispose of it, The House.
he thought had spent time enough in this way. and be
believed that majority conceded with him in the i'm
preston that the period had arrived which this contest
should be terminated He was glad that SO little person
affecting had been manifested on either SIDE which be
regarded evidence that the election of any competent,
member would be more satisfactory to the House than
longer delay in the organization.
Mr. HOLMES opposed the resolution. II against
the spirit as well as the letter Of the constiiu-
70 deprive pues Of Direct power pSs a.'e He Sai ressa
10 the action Of the convention framing that in.
strument, and Of all subsequent State conventions,
10 prove the correctness Of his views OF the in
compatibility Of giving power 10 pluraltes with our
political system Ancient history, too furnished focibe
Illustrations Of the danger TO the stability OF republics
h. .ks al. L. l. I'll
pursliies. Here Mr. H referred to cases. and CON.
mened upon the warnings TO be drawn from them.
length. This proposition, II adopted, would break the
$50 members Of the body into cqaes Of perhaps OF
twelve men, 10 some one OF which the House wouli
practically surrender its power He regarded power in
The hands Of puraliie. a: perhaps the greatest and
most mschievous incentive 10 demsgogism.
Mr.. ASHMuN was opposed TO the proposition now,
or al any time though he did conceive il necessary 10
0g was no %s a. the
cd, II should however, carry with 4 another providing
that this plurality election should be ny ballot To test
The sincerity OF those who favored the plurality scheme,
Mr.. vENABLE was also opposed TO the original
result in any good Indeed, he had never witnessed an
occasion on which the adoption OF any such course un
der similar circumstances, had failed 10 result in much
principle Of the constitution, from which he quoted and
then went on 10 show how the proposal eoncied there
with II the election be determined by plurality VOTE
three men TO choose the Speaker He believed the re-
sponslby Tor the failure to elect rested with the few
VINO perseveed in adherng TO candidates who were the
ehoce Of but handful This conduct their part was
iscnous, and produced all the Reorganization II they
choose 10 disorganize, let them do So The idea OF
small factioh attempting TO rule twenty millions of people
pepoeerous as they will realize on going to settle
WIN he constituents Tor their course in this election
mr. W would not sanction a proposition likely 10
compass ther ends He was also quite as much ooposed
70 the amendment OF the gentleman from Massachuses
TO take the vote by ballot, which system he did moi favor
at any time, or under any circumstance Il was q,
underhand way OF settling questions which he n,s
sumed the House would hardly sanction in this
he took II for granted member was afraid ~ is, h
vote for Speaker be known II, however thsre are |
members, they cannot be acting with the friends N h
two leading candidates, but must form portion Of he
impractcabes He repeated, the responsibility for The
present state Of things was not upon the former and
on the latter he was willing Il should rest He would
never consent to permit half dozen 10 fasien upon
the House their own will, in defiance of the views OF
others 80
Mr. BURT conceived that discussion at this time only
served TO increase the difficulty existing and believ.
ing that ne was meeting the general desire Of the House.
he moved to lay both the resolution Of the gentleman
from Tennessee lMr. JoHssor] and the amendment
thereto proposed BY the gentleman from Massachusetts
lMr, AsHMUNl on the table. F.9
Mr.. JOHNSON OF Tennessee asked the yeas and nays
on laying on the tables which having been ordered the