The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-10-10

Speaker to sign bills and resolutions that passed the
Legislature, was to evidence, by that means to the
country the fact of its passage In the absence of this
evidence, other proof ofthe passage OF statute might
be adduced and the would not hesitate to de-
clare it the law. So, should the election of a
Speaker by plurality VOTE be as clearly aNtawfl,
as he was free to admit, it contrary to nell
established usage, in our Legislature, STILL harm
could result Whatever laws were passed by them
would be none the less the Ial0" By reason of any
Irregularities in the election of a Speaker
But was it proper he inquired in view of the cir
cumstances surrounding them, to disregard an es-
tablished CUSTOM in the election of Speaker? That
side of the House had endeavored, by every means
in their power, and by a resort to every honorable
expedient to avoid such necessity. But they
were still Just where they were, three days ago. as
regarded the organization of the House. They were
sitting there at an expense to the State, OF over live
hundred dollars per day. Something had to be
DONE 1t was in this state of things, that he conf
IDENTIFY looked for vindication of himself, and Of
those with whom he acted, in their innovation upon
an established usage
He disliked longer to trespass upon the time of
the House, but he desired to call the attention of
gentlemen to precedent for the course that those
for whom he spoke, were disposed to pursue.
Upon the meeting of the 3lst Congress, there
was great difficulty in electing Speaker No
name put forward for the position, could command
a majority of the votes cast. After three DAYS of
Intellectual balotings, distinguished gentleman,
then in that body, from Tennessee, and for whose
opinions, gentlemen on the democratic side of the
House, he presumed, had great Difference, introduce
ed the following resolution:
''ReSolued That if on the next vote of this House
for speaker, individual shall receive a majority
of all the votes cast, the individual receiving plu-
raty of the votes, shall be Speaker of the House of
Representatives for the present session, and be so
declared by the clerk"
In support of that resolution said Mr. Hatton,
Andrew johnson, who introduced it, remarked ''that
he moved the adoption of this resolution well aware
that it deviated from the established custom and
usage of the House, in elecng Speaker. So far as
precedent was concerned, when he was satisfied
that good was to result from a strict compliance
with it. for one he was disposed to comply with it.
But this Congress had convened for the purpose of
dsposing of the public business, of subscribing the
public interests; they had been now two days try
ing to elect Speaker; this was the third day; he
believed fourteen votings had taken place, and no
Speaker was elected. A Speaker elected by plu-
ralty vote, notwithstanding it would be departure
from the established custom would answer all
the useful purposes of speaker elected by a ma
jority He thought that the demonstrations that
had been made in their repeated Intellectual efforts,
proved most conciusively that they could not elect
Speaker by majority, in any reasonable length of
time. He was willing, therefore, under thecrcum
stances, to waive the general rule to make an nno-
walton upon the established custom, i'll order to |
effect organization withOuta farther waste OF
time.
He wanted Speaker elected-eithera wing or a
democrat. Let them for the present session, limo
vate upon the established custom, and at once, pro-
coed to the business for which they had assembled"
This resolution said Mr. H. was not adopted, but |
was laid on the table. Upon Mr.. Burks moving to |
lay it upon the table, Andrew johnson remarked: |
"Can have the yeas and nays taken on that pro-
position? want to see who it is that is in favor |
of standing out and opposing the organization of
this House."
Mr.. Stanton, upe Gov. JOhnson's resolution be-
ng laid on the table, introduced resolution having
in view the same object as that Of Gov. johnson. |
Mr. HIS resolution was an exact copy of that of Mr. |
Staunton, which was adopted by the H. Reps, and |
under which a speaker was elected. 1t was
voted for 10y Gov. Johnson, Mr. Stanton, Mr..
Andrew Ewing, and other distinguished gentlemen |
whose names might be enumerated, and for whose |
opinions he knew gentleman, on the other side Of the
House, had high regard
The present situation of this House, said Mr.. H.. |
was precisely that of the House Representatives
when the resolutions of Gov. j. and Mr.. Staunton |
were introduced, and when Gov. j. made the speech,
from which he (Mr. H. had been reading. He |
would not attempt to control the action of gentle
men, by imposing upon.the the opinions of others
He had read what said by Gov. j on that occa-
sion, in order that gentlemen might know what
where his views of what was proper to be done on
that occasion, and the reason assigned by him, for
his opinion. Mr.. II. thought they full of prac
teal good sense, andrespectfuly recommended them
to the consideration of those opposed to the adoption
of his resolution He thanked the House for their pO
lite attention to what he had had say He hadbeen
prompted to make these remarks, hoping that, by
possibility member might feel disposed to act
upon them, and give TO his resolution his vote,
which if adopted would secure the organization of
tie House.
Mr. Pope here inquired of Mr. II. if he had read
that part of Gov. Johnson's speech, referring to
Jacobs Ladder? Mr.. II. replied that he had not
He hardly presumed it necessary. The gentleman
was doubtless much more familiar with it. than with
the Lords Prayer.