The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-24

1t has already been announced by tele-
graph to the people, that the House OF
Representatives was partially organized
on Saturday evening, by the election OF
Hon. HOWELL CoBB, of Georgia, to the
office of Speaker. The reason of this is,
that there were more Democrats than
Wings in the House-and that the Wings
thought it wiser and better to secure an
organization than to protract struggle,
the result of which, whatever it might be,
could not change the actual complexion Of
parties. Mr.. COBB, on taking the chair,
acknowledged the honor conferred upon
him in appropriate and becoming terms
The resolution offered by Mr.. STANTON
upon the adoption of which, by vote of
113 to 106, the House was finally organ
ized-was in the very words of the resolu-
ton offered by the committee of Wing
members to the Democratic caucus, and
by them rejected. By reference to the
caucus proceedings, in another column, it
will be seen that not only was this propo-
sition declined by the Democratic caucus,
but the committee of the latter body were
discharged from further consideration OF
the subject, and not authorized TO enter,
tain any other proposition. The yeas and
nays on Mr.. STANToN's resolution show
that some of the friends of the Admins
tration were opposed to it, but they gen
orally voted in favor of It's adoption. Thus,
it appears that the country are indebted to
the Wing party for the arrangement by
which the organization was effected
President TAYLOR, therefore, goes be-
fore Congress with decided Opposition
majority in both branches. This would
be a source of embarrassment to a Pres-
dent who had selfish schemes and inter
ests to advance, or who desired to pursue
any other policy than that of giving effect
to the will of the people, as expressed
through their constitutional organs. The
legislative power is in the hands of the
opponents of President TAYLOR. Within
the limits of the Constitution they can
shape and control the policy of the coun-
try. 1t remains to be seen how far the
policy presented by the Administration
will commend itself to the good sense and
deliberate judgment Of the two Houses.
We need not say that we deeply regret
the defeat of Mr.. WINTHROP. His char
acter, ability, and experience, would have
done honor to the station and to the coun.
try. If the people had been called upon
to choose between him and Mr.. COBB, We
do no injustice to the latter gentleman
when we say they would have given Mr..
WINTHROP the preference. 1t was not
the will of the people that there should be
a CAss Democrat in the Speakers chair.
The popular vote of the last general cleo
ton shows that the Democratic party is in
tho minority. The composition Of the
House shows that in that body the Demo
cratic party is in minority, varying only
a vote or two from that of the Administra-
ton. But for the most unfortunate diver
sion of few Wing votes, upon reasons
satisfactory doubtless to the gentlemen
who threw them, but inexplicable to the
country, the WING nominee would have
occupied the seat that is now to be filled
by Mr.. COBB.
In this connexion we ought not to omit
TO say, that if Mr.. STANLY had been the
nominee of the caucus, he would doubt
less have received the same vote as Mr..
WINTHROP, and we should have been
equally well pleased to- see him in the
Speakers chair. We regret that there
was not an unanimous WIG rally upon
Mr.. STANLY, when it was seen that he
was gaining upon the other candidate; bu
the contest had at that time assumed Z
charaSer which rendered it impossible tC
present an undivided front upon any bu
a regular nominee of the party.
On the whole, we are satisfied that the
result is the best that could have been at
tanned under the circumstances, and il
one not discreditable to the country, no
liable to endanger the Union. From Mr.
COBB we expect the ultraism of partisan
Speaker, but he has the reputation Of ;