Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-12-24
The Speakcrsllip.
he scene IN the House Of Representatives.

Synopsis oil the proceedings
After the announcement of the result of the
ballot, showing VIM. J. Brown, Of Indiana to
have fallen but two votes short of an election,
MIR. Stanley, of North Carolina, obtained the
floor and offered a resolution for the appoint
ment of three members by the Democrats and
three by the Wings, to confer relative to the
choice of Speaker his object being, as he sub
sequently acknow lodged, to have all opportunity
to address the House. In the course OF his re-
marks he said
Gle wanted to get somebody who is compe-
tent to preside over the body There is some
thing rotten Or wrong in Denmark. He looked
on his own side without blushing, but he looked
to the other side and blushed.4
Mr.. Bayly, of Virginia, proceeded at consider
ale length to reply to Mr.. Stanley and added
I am rejoiced, however, that the gentleman
has made the remarks he did. 1t enables us to
brand the rumor, i'll the onset; as it deserves. 1t
is hardly necessary for me to say that it has no
foundation in truth.
MIR. Ashnpn. VIII the gentleman from Vir-
ginia allow me to put question 10 him
Mr.. Bayy. Certainly.
Mr.. Ashmun. Has not correspondence ia
ken place between the member from Indiana,
MIR. Brown, and some OF the free-soil party, in
which he has pledged himself to constitute the
committees IN manner satisfactory TO them.
MIR. Bayly. know of no such correspon-
dence. Is the gentleman authorized to say that
there has been such an one! If SO, what is his
authority?
Mr.. Ashmun, Common rumor
Mr. Bayly And does not the gentleman
know that common run1or is common liar
Turning to Mr. Brown, he said, HAS any such
correspondence taken place %
Mr.. Brown shook his head
Mr.. Bayly continued am authorized to say
that no such correspondence has taken place.
Does the gentleman infer that there has been an
understanding between this side of the House
and the free sellers from the fact that some of
them have voted with US 2 If so what can be
more unfair?
Mr.. Root then obtained the floor, and was in
tefrnpted by Mr.. Bayly, who asked an opportu-
nifty to make an explanation.
Mr.. 8. said | think it due to myself and the
House TO say that, since was last up, I have
had conversation with the gentleman from III
diana, ihlr BfowI.) Twas mistaken in saying
that no correspondence had taken place between
hlm and the Tree soliers. A correspondence has
taken place; but in it he assures me that he had
refused to pledge himself, and had said no more
than that, in forming the committees, he would
place the members Of thai party in such posi-
tons as their standing in the House and the
country would seem to him to make proper
But the correspondence will be produced, and it
will speak for Itself,
Mr.. Brown addressed the House at consice1a-
bic length, producing the letter, but as he gives
a corrected statement in his annexed letter of
what he said end intended to say, it is unneees-
sary to publish it.
Considerable excitement followed this, and
number of Southern members who had voted for
Mr.. Brown; desired to withdraw their names
from the ballots, declaring that they had been
deceived. In the course of the debate which
followed
MIR. McMulien remarked that though never
before attempting to say a word in delibera-
tive assembly, he felt il to be his duty to say
something on this subject. He had heard inds-
tnct rumors that the views of the gentleman
from Indiana, upon slavery questions, were not
such as would justify him in voting in his favor;
and he had been anxious to obtain satisfactory
information on this score. A gentleman from
Maryland had informed him that the member
from Indiana had given assurance 10 the South
On hearing this: he MIR, Mem. was understood
to say that he promptly answered that he had
only to be satisfied of the fact, to cause him to
vote in his favor. He had expected the gentle
man from Maryland TO call again upon him, tho
he had not done so. Indeed, this morning, not
feeling satisfied, he had himself called on the
gentleman from Indiana, and frankly stated to
him that it was chargedb by rumor that he had
been asked to give pledges to the free soers. to
the effect that they should be taken care of on
the committees on which they particularly desi-
red to be placed.
Mr.; Mem. was understood TO say, further,
that the gentleman from Indiana had replied
that he had nneycarcf tho f-oo co;I,.n H.. e .
lected he would place gentlemen on committees
only according to what he believed to be their
proper individual standing and capabilities
With this reply, he Mr. McM.) had been we'll
pleased. He had further remarked that he had
given no pledge to these gentlemen, in answer
to another question from MIR. Mem. In .conclr1-
sion, MIR. Mem. said that on tie next vote he
would show the House and the country where
ne desired to stand upon this question of ehoos-
ing Speaker
Mr.; Durham, of Indiana, proceeded to defend
his colleague from the charge of aboltionism.
when Nlf Kaufman replied that he was not
charged with abolitionism, but dnplicity.
The confusion that followed wasunpIecedent-
ed, and the House finally adjourned.
The following is the letter of Mr. Brown, pub
lished In the Union, explanatory OF his position
LETTER OF MIR. BROWN.
10 the editors Of the Union:
Having spoken to-day in the House under
much excitement, and, in the confusion which
prevailed, presnmlng no correct report of my re.
marks will be furnished ask, in Justice to my
self, that you publish this communication.
After had received SO votes for Speaker, on
Monday las, land after the House had adjourned
was sent for to go to the room of a member
When arrived there, learned that it was fol-
thepurpose of having,a conference With Nh vii.
mot OF Pennsylvania, who soon after came into
the room lie informed me that they were salts
fled with the position of Mr.. Potter of Ohio, and
had been ready to vote for him, if the time .hat
arrived when their votes would have made q
choice that they were willing to vote for me i
would agree to give them far Committees OF
the District of Columbia, the judiciary, and OF
lervltorles; that neither himself nor the gentle
man from New York MIR. p KINe] desired te
be upon these committees; that all he and hi
friends asked was Chat the ablest men of the diff
ferent parties, and both sections of the Union
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