The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-06
and present Congress, Lynn Boyd, Of Kentucky, mas
been the successful democratic candidate.


CLERKS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SINCE
THE ADOPTION or THE CONSTITUTION, IN 1888.
April 1899 to May 1897 John Backlsy Virginia
Nay 1877 to Dec. 1900. Jon.than W. Oondy, Penn
Dec 1890 Dec. 1901. John II. Oswald Pennsylvauia
Dec. 1901 TO Oct 1907 John Beckley Virginia
Oct. 1907 to June 1915 Patrick Msgruder Maryland
Jan, 1915 to 1922. Thomas Dsugberty :. Kentucky
Dec. 1922 to bee 1899 Mat st Clair Clarke Penn.
Dec 1893 to Sept 1885,. Walter S. Franklin Penn.
Dec 1888 10 May ls4l hugh Garland Virginia
May le4l TO Dec 1913 Mat St. Clair Clarke. Penn.
Dec. ls43 TO Jan 1916 Caleb j. McNulty. Ohio
Jan 1876 to Dec ls47 Bspj French. N Hampshire
Dec. lS47 to Ap 1880 Thomas Campbell. .Tenness ee
April 1860 to Dec 1861 Richard NJ Young Illinois
DEC. 1851. John w Forpey Penn.
Dec. 1903. John W. Fornsy ...renn.
But little is known Of the politics Of the first five
Clerks of the House Of Representatives. Beckley,
according to Jefersons mem 'irs, was sort OF Paul
Pry or ewes dropper, who reported the sayings and
doings Of the federal members OF Congress and
other gossip to Mr. Jefferson. He was doubtless
democrat His successor chosen in May, 1897 Jona-
than Williams Condy, we conclude was federalist,
as that party then had majority in the House OF
Representatives, as well as in the Senate. He re-
signed in 1900, and was succeeded by John Holt
Oswald who we believe was of the family of Oswald,
. democratic editor in New York during Washing
toms administration In December 1901, Jefferson
being President his friend Beckley, the former
Clerk, again chosen to that office and continued
in the same until October, 1907, when Patrick Ma
gruder was chosen by democratic House. After
nearly eight years service, Magruder resi- gned,
and in January, 1915, was succeeded by Tho.
mas Dougherty, OF Kentucky, also a democrat.
He was continued in Office until 1922, when
he died during the recess of Congress. His
successor, Matthew st. Clair Clarke, of Pennsyl-
vania originally democrat, but the favorite of all
parties was long known at Washington by members,
citizens and vsiters to the Capitol the prince of
good fellows, bon rivant and boon companion with
all who enjoyed his acquaintance. He gave new
character to the Office of Clerk of the House, became
conspicuous q citizen of Washington City, entered
iuto all the best plans for the improvement of the
national metropolis and erected splendid mansion
on the square opposite the Presidents house, where
he entertained his friends with unbounded hospi-
fslity. He and others formed plan for publishing
those ponderous volumes Of documentary history
called the American Archives" and Clarke and
Peter Force obtained an important contract from
Congress to publish these documents, which
are still progressing slowly under the man.
agemeDt Of Mr.. Force, who is now, we believe.
the sole contractor with the for the pub
LEGATION, Mr. Clarke having sold out his interest to
him, some years before his DEATH which took place,
Mr.. Clarke continued to sustain himself in his DO
stiOn as Clerk for some years after the election of
General jackson to the Presidency having changed
from an Adams man to moderate Jacksonian; bat
The demo cratic supporters of Jackson finally insisted
upon his removal for more ardent friend Of the ad
ninistration, and in December, 1888, the popular
4r. Clarke, after eleven years SERVICE was compelled
to submit to be defeated by Walter S. Franklin
Pennsylvania Jackson man, Of whose democracy
there was no doubt. Mr.. Franklin died in Septem-
Der, 1885, and in December Of that year the House
made choice Of Hugh A. Garland, Virginia demo-
Crat, friendly to Van Buren's administration. The
great importance of the office of the Clerk
Of the House Of Representatives, was brought
prominently to the notice Of the people at the
meeting OF Congress in December 1889, when Mr..
calling the roll Of the members elect declined to call
those of the wing members from New jersey, who
had certificate with the Governors " broad SEAL
but whose seats were contested by democrats who
House were involved by this state Of things, we're
finally overcome by the novel proposition OF John
Quincy. Adams, to choose chairman OF the House
until the Speaker could be elected. This coarse was
adopted, and Mr.. Adams elected Chairman; few
days after which, Mr.. Hunter, Of Virginia. was
chosen Speaker, and Mr.. Garland reelected as
Clerk.
In May, 1s4l, the wings, having majority a. the
Va
Smith, Of Maine, (pow of telegraph notorety,) wa,
nominated in the whig caucus for Clerk, but Mr.
WISE Of Virginia, with few other wings, preferred
Mr. Clarke, the old and popular Clerk from 1922 to
1888, and refused to vote for Smith Thereupon
the democrats dropped their own candidate, and
uniting with the boiling whigs elected Mr.. Clarke
much TO the chaglin of Mr.. Smith and the caucus
wings. The friendship of John Tyler and many de-
mocrats could not save Mr.. Clarke when the de.
mocrats obtained the majority in the House, in 1s43.
The notorious Caleb J. McNulty, Of Ohio, was the
successful candidate, in December, la43 He enjoyed
his hOnors and emoluments but short time, how
ever: coming to the city of New York, with por-
ton of the funds of Congress in his hands, McNulty
fell into bad company, and consequently became
public defaulter. He was therefore summarly dis
missed from the office Of Clerk, and Mr. B. B. French,
Of New Hampshire, elected in his place. McNulty
died not long after his dismissal from Office He be-
longed to the school of Ohio rowdy democrats, a
most violent set Of politicians and always clamorous
for Office.
Mr. Thomas J. Campbell, Of Tennessee, was
formerly wing member Of Congress from
that State and was Q man highly respected.
He was elected BY, the wings in ls47, and re-
in ls4e. He died in April, 1850, and was sue
ceeded by Richard NJ. Young, formerly democratic
Senator from Illinois. The present incumbent was
the successor of Mr.; Young,
The position of Clerk Of the House of Representa-.
tives, it will be seen, has continued to grow in i'm
portance but the real amount of advantages and op
portunities enjoyed by the person holding the Office
can only be lmperfectly seen by the people, In the
can with the powers Of the lobby to back him, it is
impossible to foresee the mischief which the Clerk
can perpetrate, even when carefully watched by
more honest men than are often found in the purlieus
OF the Capitol
The Opera, Drama, Terpsich0rcan Art,
and KNOWS fursThese the present popular subjects
though the ladies ence the greatest interest," and very
too s a. latter for they ion BE-
House Broadway and Spring street. yorI
purchases.
The FIRST Cold s. Snap - Thanksgiving
day the first earnest Of winter and Flowed
pretty smary BY the succeeding days week. the
9uence OF which has been unusual demand for KNOWS
fgTs and bis place No 2s Fulton street. now constantly
filled with gantly dressed females the
bargains he offering the sale Of these articles Join
crow and secure set" of furs at prices.
For Splendid Daguerreotypcs, Mt the Low
price Of cen which universally pronounced
good and true kenesses have been oxhbte
REFS CO.'S picture factory where 400 portraits of tn
people are taken daily $50 Broadway.
VnnH hal