The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-12-16

The journal of yesterday read and approved.
Tnn speAKFnsnIr.
Mr.. HICKMAN. Mr. Clerk, desre to offer The follow
ing resolution:
Resolpe, That person shall be considered candidate
for Speaker OF this House bo shall not be supported such
upon the sixieh vote that, the said sStieth aud
the lowest vote, the candidates. where have
equal vote and below that Of the other candidates. shall be
to be voted for when the shall be taken the said
naming two and the person then having the highest vote
majority OF quorum Of the members sf the Hoase.
Upon this resolution call for the yeas and nays
Mr.. MATTES0N moved to lay the resolution the
table.
Mr.. LETCHER. desire TO offer substitute TO that
resolution
The Clerk stated that motion having been made TO lay
the resolution the table, amendment in order.
Cries Of Let us hear the substitute 81 Read H., &c
II was accordingly read, as follows:
Whereas this House has been engaged in irtess effort
TO organize by the election of Speaker for near two
theref
RssoIeea, That the Clerk prepare letter. to be signed by
each member OF this House resgn,ng his seat IN order that
election be held in each congressional district in
the States and in all the Territories
Cries of " That is right Good "Let us stand by
that and much excitement.
Mr.. MATTESON again moved to lay the resolution on
the table
Mr. JONES' of Tennessee appealed to the gentleman to
withdraw his motion to lay ON the table SO as to allow
the gentleman from Virginia Mr. LETCnER to offer his
amendment as substitute that vote might DO taken upon
it.
Mr.. MATTES0N Withdrew ii for that purpose.
Mr.. SAGE. i propose amendment, that the gen
temap offering the substitute shall lead off by resignng
first and that the llouse act upon that resignation and
each gentleman who avors it, until get through Loud
and prolonged laughter.
Mr. LETCHER- SHALL very cheeriully agree TO the
gentlemans proposon If he will give me assurances that
he will play fair and follow my example II is perfectly
manifest that shall not be able organize for
time TO come and more than probable that II we re-
sign and go home IL will be very difficult matter for the
people 10 send back the number OF gentlemen who
will have the same difficulty in electng Speaker when
they assemble.
Mr. SAGE | cannot conform TO the wishes Of the gem
eman from Virginia. from the fact that feel conscious of
having done my duty here in accordance with what was
expected of by the people who here and until
become satisfied that my efforts here frnitless shall
not consent TO resign my seat i sir acting with
majority of those who sent here opponents OF the
administration
Several VOICES "Why don't you organize then?'
Mr. SAGE II is fault Of mine that do not organ
ze; and let say the gentleman from Virginia that
the signs of the times do deceive shall not tro
BILE him many DAYS longer.
Mr.. GIDDlNGS. think that both the resolution and
from the faction that has stood out here for two
weeks preventing organization Of the House Grea,
laughter And, Mr. Clerk propose that The proposition
faction are concerned. Renewed laughter
Mr.. LETCHER. ! should like to be informed, before
adopting the suggestion of the gentleman from ohe
whether it is probable that if the democratic party retired
from the hall the balance would be able TO elect Speaker
Laughter. understand that the opposition at pres
SAGE says that hc is with the opposition in this House.
but that they organize because they cannot get
majority of that opposition to vote for their candidate for
Speaker. Now sir this happy family are in rather dis
racted condition. and my object put end to the
struggle and if could not restore harmony among
those who bitter towards each other than either
wing towards the democratic party. Es
Mr. GIDDlNGS. In reply to the gentemans interroga-
tory would that would be able to elect without
difficulty We have now lo7 who agree most cheerully
and will agree and If those gentlemen who are now SO
anxious 10 resign will only step outside of the hall for h
teen minutes, we will show them that elect
Cries OF "Call the roll"
Mr. WADE. | wish propose amendment to the
resolution of the gentleman from Virginia Ii seems to
that his substitute not perfect enough wsh to include
the administration and therefore, move to amend by In
sertng that the President resign and the whole matter be
referred back to the people am willing to go for such
| resolution heart and soul
Mr. LETCHER As the gentlemen TO be in trouble
about my proposition, and very well satisfied that
the majority will not adopt il, withdraw it.
+ Mr. HICKMAN Mr.. Clerk will say in explanation OF
the resolution have offered that have been engaged
for many days in rutless effort to elect Speaker OF this
House 1t is TO be presumed sr-at least entertain
presumption to the conraryhat we all desire an early
organization of the House. and il is for the purpose of test
ing this feeling that have offered the resolution now be-
fore YOU think is abundanty evident that II the reso
luton passed organization of this House could be
effected with very few further votes 1t may be effected
sir to-day and for the purpose of ascertaning who are
in favor ofan organizations and who not have offered
this resolution. 1t has been said, strand doubt the
country in part believes it whether it be true notthat
the why organization cannot be effected is because
of the candidates in this body who have not
been named SUCH and who are therefore, interested in
preventing this organization Now, the resolution that
have presented of all such persons these from the
lat of candidates BY dropping the lowest on each vote
shall down TO the two coutendpg candidates.
and nm election be made This sir IL the
that has influenced in presenting this resolution which
has been done may say, IN conclusion without consulta-
/ ton with any man.
| Mr. McMULLEN Mr.. Clerk not in the House
when the resolution of the gentleman from Pennsy
was presented, and desire to hear it read.
| The resolution again read.
Mr. McMULLEN / hope, sir, that IL viii not be the
pleasure of the House TO adopt that resolution 1t
that has been adopted by this any other leg
islative body known to me. IL will be remembered by
you sir and by this House that the day before ycste
/ day gave notice the House that, unless election
should be effected within the next two three days,
would submit proposition by way Of compromise; and |
undertake that If it shall be the pleasure OF the
House down the resolution before it, WILL in
good faith redeem that promise and Monday make the
proposition.
Cries of q Give IL 10 now
i Mr.. McMULLEN. Yon shall have il in good time.
viii undertake to say to the House that my PROPOSE
on when submitted will receive the sanction of major
y Of members but will say, sir that 1t shall bear upon
its face the principles OF equity and jus,icemuch more 50
! than does the under consideration. 1 will go
further and add that IL it shall be the pleasure of the
House TO adopt the resolution when 1t is submitted will
guaranty organization of the House
/ Cries Of " Give it TO now y "i.et us have It,"
Mr.. McMULLEN Mr. Clerk, had hoped from the mum
Der Of notices given last evening upon adjournment Of the
intention of the opposition TO hold caucus that we