New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-26
FROM WASHINGTON
THE STRUGGLE on THE sPEAKGRsHIP
Oar Own Cor


From Our own Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Monday, Dec "a 1855
At the meeting of the House this morning there
was more decided impression than heretofore tho
some result on the Speakership would be attained
This idea was encouraged b. two causes: frat
the belief that MIR. Richardson, according to his
own conviction and declaration, would be CON-
paratively deserted for new candidate and, sec.
ondly, the ASSURANCE which Mr. Banks's friends
had acquired, after various conferences last night
Neither expectation turned out to be well founded
Party drill was rigidly and effectualy applied in
one case, aud the wish was too much father to the
thought in the other.
limitations had been made that four or e We of
the Ant-Nebraska men who refused to support
Mr. Banks directly would c16perate in carrying
the plurality proposition; but, when i, was tried
the last majority against it was nearly doubled on
side vote to Jay it the table. So they did not
come up to the scratch, and the labor Of per.
suasion was uDprOftsbly expended. On tho only
vote Of the day, Mr., Banks maintained about the
same relative strength to the aggregate that he has
heretofore exhibited Although the fact was a
mite painful that one additional vote to his highest
previous ballot would have installed him as
Speaker: 105 votes were required to elect him
and he has more than once received lO7.
The attendance in the House was better than
was anticipated, in consequence Of the return of
many members who went away on Saturday
Still, cannot help thinking that those friends
Mr.. Banks who paired off made mistake agans-
themselves and to the detrihent of the cause.
There are times when no compromises should be
entertained and no concessions granted. TIE mi
nority and the affiliated factions have manifested
no such disposition. On the contrary, they have
endeayored to interpose every manner of obstacle
10 success, and therefore they are entitled to no
degree of indulgence Besides, there is great
principle at stake in this struggle, which canuot
he treated By any standard of conventional cOur-
tesy. If the majority had stood their ground to
man, and refused all these social oyertures, 1t
might have been competent to haze reached CON-
clusion this morIi ing. state of things may yet
arise when fraction over one hundred votes VIII
elect. and therefore it behooves every one now
here TO remain resolutey at bis post as 1t does ao
sentees to return without delay. After repeated
efforts TO protIact adjournment over TIL 1nurs-
dsy. both sides resolved toSbury the Ratchet Tor
Christmas Day, and to renew the combat on
Wednesday morning.
There was some sprightlJ debating during the Sit
iipc notwithstanding the ten minutes rule, which.
strictly applied, would have precluded such an ex
hibtioo MI Stewart of Maryland came WIN d
set speech, under The cover of personal eXPlana
lion, AID closed with series OF resolutions as
dong ss the moral code, and to which wSgg'Sh
Member Vas about to propose as an AMENDMENT
a. Storx's Commentaries on the Constitution but
that II might have been considered as a reflection
on the IN, mory Of the dead. The practical ooJecs
of this movement was TO make new combination
and TO abandon Mr.. Richardson. Ia the course OF
his remarks Mr.. Stewart took occasion to com
pliment bir Richardson in strong terms, ana 10
spproye the position Of Mr.. Fuller since his sur
render But he deprecated the ground occupied
by MIR. Banks, and revived the imputation that ne
had wilfulIy dis ,araged and outraged the national
,entiment in speech in Maine, where ne vas
alleged to have said, "Let the Union slide MI
Banks Vss Lot il the hail at the moment, but sooh
after appeared in bis st Upon beng ln'o'ineo
of the OBJ crvation be rose and denied that nc al
ever expressed any sentiment Of Indifference 10
the Union. He admitted having said if sectional
aggression should continue to be pressed 81 1t had
been. and with the ayowed purpose Of extending
single institution, it would weaken bis affection
for the Union; but he was ready now 10 fight for
Che Union as il was and to meet its enemies here
and elsewhere. This little speech was conceived
in the best possible taste and phrase, aud OK.
pressed in a manner which gave Il emphasis aud
wonderful effect. There was one spontaneous
burst of applause when he sat down which cou''
not be checked for some time MI BaukS mas
been fortunate in making strong impression
whenever he has been called out during this con
test, and of exinguishing the opposition which
made it necessary for him +" speak or to explain
Mr. Extra Billy Smith Of Virginia Of cour'e