Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-27

Mr.. KNIGHT said that general anxiety had
been expressed on both sides OF he House for an
organization, aad he took il for granted members
were serious. We are now, he remarked IN the
fourth week Of the session. He had resolution
to submit, which, il adopted, would secure the
election of Speaker.
II was read, 10 the effect: that The House con-
tinue 10 vote, Utua U0ce, without debate, to-day,
Tomorrow, and until Friday next. II no election
be effected on the first trial, on the last named
dny, then the person having the highest vote,
provided il be majority of quorum, shall be
Speaker of the thirty fourth Congress.
Mr.. BARKSDALE moved that The resolution
lie upon the table
The question having been taken, II was de-
cded in the afirmatve-yeas l03, nays "a.
Mr.. PURVIANCE offered resouion-that,
until Speaker shall be elected, members of this
House shall henceiorlh continue TO vote therefor,
from twelve, IN. TO six o'clock p. IN, and that all
further cussion, excepting personalexplanatlons
or reasons for voting or changing votes, shall D.
prohibited TILL said election be effected.
This was land on the table--ayes 81, noes 81.
Mr.. SAGE submitted resolution that, until
Speaker shall be elected, The House shall con-
time to vote therefor, from twelve, IN. until four
p m; in other words, making an adjournment out
Of order until the last named time Ess
Mr.. STEPHENS moved amendment, that
motion 10 adjourn shall be in order until a
Speaker be elected. He willing TO stay here
until that result shall be effected.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, of Ohio, thought that all
those suggestions were impracticable, and that
much more rapid progress would be made by forth
with resuming the vote for Speaker.
Several gentlemen entered into debate upon
the subject and al the termination OF the dis
cussion.
Mr.. SAGE modified his resolution, in accord
ance with the amendment of Mr. STEPHENS.
MIR. JONES, Of Tennessee moved that the
whole subject be laid upon the table but the mo
ton did not prevail ayes 81, noes Ito.
Mr.. SEWARD made Intellectual motion that
the House adjourn.
The main question W as ordered-yeas 123, nays
70 and
The resolution was passed-yeas ll6 nays ST
Mr.. CAMPBELL, OF Ohio said il was evident,
from the vote just taken, that there was TO be a
protracted session of this body. They who had
served in the House for years passt were aware
that there occasionally scenes Of disorder and
turbulence unbecoming the dignity Of an Ameri-
can Congress. He did not anticipate anything OF
that kind In rising 10 submit the resolution which
he held in his hand though it might be Wise TO act
in advance. He did not mean 10 reflect, directly
or indirectly, on the Clerk who had performed his
duty acceplably; but it occurred him that there
ought 10 be temporary presiding officer. be
then offered the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That The Hon. JAMES L. ORR, of South
Carolina, be invited TO preside over this body un-
| Ill Speaker shall be elected.
Several gentlemen objected 10 the adoption OF
the resolution, believing that they could get along
without resorting 10 such expedient.
The resolution was not aid on the table, as was
moved-yeas So, nays los
| Mr.. COLFAX said he was not a lawyer, but had
heard from lawyers that possession is nine points
| Of the law" As The gentleman named in the res
oluton might ultimately be selected Speaker
| by the course proposed, he not willing 10
| place him in the temporary occupancy of the
chair. With view 10 equality, he proposed thai
| the three parties of the House, divided by one
hundred and FIVE votes for Mr.. BANKS, seventy
| five for Mr.. RICHARDSON. and forty for Mr. FUI.
| LER, each select Speaker pro tenn and shall pre-
| side alternately, they may agree thereon.
Mr. CAMPBELL, of Ohio, replied, that his OBJ
ject was to enable The House to move on harmo-
niously and could possibly that any politi-
cal principle could thereby be surrendered
After further debate,
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, moved that the
House take recess until eleven o'clock fifty-nine
minutes tomorrow morning. Zone minute before
the regular time of meeting)
Several gentlemen remarked that the motion in
volved the violation of the resolution adopted 10.
day, that the House would remain in session until
the election of Speaker.
The question was taken on the motion of Mr.
JONES, and decided in the negatve-yeas IS, nays
10.
Pending the resolution inviting Mr.. ORR to pre-
side over the House
The House then took until ten O'Clock
o.day