Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-07
Meeting OF Congress.

Meeting OF Congress.
Monday last was the day fixed by law tor
the opsning Of Congress-. and majority OF the
members of both Houses vas doubtless in attend
anes. This being new Congress ALI the MEM
bers of the lower House being fresh from the peo-
pie and many Of them unknown to the Nation
the proceedings are anticipated with much inter
est, Independently of the rare Political developo
inents and combinations which are likely to be eft
iected in consequence Of the present anomalous
state Of the ascendant party. The Senate now
consists Of sixty two members, aud in the present
congress there are thirty six Democrats, twenty
one Wings, and five vacancies; the House, con-
sists of two hundred and thirty, four members and
five Territorial Delegates, and is divided political
ly into one hundred and 6fty-nine Democrats, sey-
enty. one Wings, and four Abotionists. Thus it
appears that the Wings are wofully in the minor
ity so far as numbers are concerned but with such
men as Everett, Clayton, Bell and Badger to re-
present them in the Senate. and other able men in
the House, they must command respect and WELD
considerable influence. Aad the Democratic
majority is more nominal than real. There is
scarcely question of public interest upon which
the party is not divided. There are Hardshell
Democrats and Softshel Democrats; conserva-
tive Democrats and radical Democrats; progress
ives and anti progressiyes; internal improvements
men and anti-internal improvement men; Tariff
men and anti Tariff men uniouiSts and Seces-
sionist and so on through the entire list. All,
however, are, democrats" aud cling to the name
with the utmost euacity. But how these elements
can unite and act together in concord is more than
aplain man can divine. If Gen. Pierce succeeds
in fnsing them into a sweet and harmonious mass,
he will far surpass Wyman's trick of converting a
canister of common beans into white sugar.
At the outset Of the proceedings, both houses
had to elect presiding officers. Mr.. Atchison
has probably been chosen President Of the Senate
without opposition but the tug Of war has been
anticipated in the election ofSpeaker by the House
Of Representatives Nearly all the Virginia Del
cation were put IN nomination for the office by
their respective friends and nearly mOiety of the
other members were looking up; 50 there was no
been encountered The Democratic members call
cl caucus for Saturday night last, to nominate 4
party candidate, and before we go to press we may
be able to announce their choice.
After the election Of Speaker,the House will pro-
coed to elect Clerk, though probably not till the
Presidents Message is received & read. For this
office there are doubtless sundry asprans, but Mr..
Forney, the late Clerk, is the only prominent can
didate. This gentleman is an experienced poll
tician and valuable partizan to the Democracy
hut some part he acted in the famous Forest d.
verce ease effects his character, it is thought, as
msu of probity and honor, and may defeat his e
lection.
As soon as the two houses are organized, the
President will lay before them his first annual
Message. For weeks past the Washington letter
writers have been busy prying into the secrets OF
the Cabinet with the view Of finding out the con-
tents of this document. They have given various
mods and wnks indicating that they knew what
was in it; but as we hope to have an authentic
copy in few days, it is unnecessary for us to re-
peat their speculations. The paper will no doubt
speak very fairly. Gen. Pierce did just so in his
Inaugural Every body was more ur less satish-
ed with that, and 50 they may be with this
Even the New York Hardshels sing peans 10 the
Presidents inaugural while they denounce the
Presidents policy. and 1t will not be more strange
if the future administration should not entirely &c
cord with the first Message. But the cabinet will
be entitled to the credit of much cuteness if they
have framed Message with which the party gen
orally can express satisfaction.
&C. We learn from dispatch in the Baltimore
American of Monday, that the Democratic men,
bers held their Caucus on Saturday night. One
hundred and eighteen were present. MIR. Stan
ton, Of Tennessee, offered a series of resolutions
in favor ofcarryng out the principles of the inaug-
ural, and opposing all interference by the admin
istraton in State politics. The resolutions were
voted out, on point of order. Messrs Boyd,
Orr, Disney and Bocock were voted for as the cam
didate for sparker, and on the second ballot MIR.
Boyd received GA votes and was declared to be
Nominated Mr.. FOrney was nominated for Clerk
on the first ballot The other officers Of the last
Congress were nominated for reelection. Sever
al of the members who were in the city were not
at this meeting