Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-12-26
CONGRESS=NO SPEAKER

We give elsewhere the proceedings in full of the
House of Representatives Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Mr.. Thorington withdrew his
Resolution providing for the election of Speaker by
a plurality vote but stated he would renew it again
soon. Some discussion then took place on the slave
ry question after which Mr.. Whitney moved that
in Speaker be chosen or before the sixty
fifth vote cir1 r0ce the House proceed Immediately
thereafter to the election of Speaker by secret bal
lot. This proposition voted down yeas 213,
nays I. MIR. Cadwailadcr Democrat, of Pa, amid
some excitement congratulated the country on the
result. 1t was an almost unanimous condemnation
by the House of the principle of secret voting,
which Know Nothngs rely to effect their purposes.
Some further debate took place, in the course of
which Mr. Fuller of Pa said that he was originally
opposed to the repeal of the Missouri line that he
now opposed to agitation OF the question of
slavery; that, if the test should be applied he would
vote against rc-establishng that line; and that he
should vote, if called upon, to admit Kansas with
out regard to the question of slavery. [Cries of
'good and applause, mingled with hisses]
Amid confusion and calls for another vote for
Speaker, the House adjourned.
On Thursday, the House voted again for Speaker,
follows Richardson 73 Banks 1O4, Fuller "a,
scattering 10.
Mr.. Smith of Alabama, offered a resolution to Sc
lect the committee Ways and Means and the COM
mttee on Foreign Affairs, to be taken from each
party-each of said committees to appoint its own
chairman, and the chairmen to act alternately as
Speaker of the House, until regular Speaker could
be elected.
Mr.. Bocock thought this illegal.
A debate sprung up during which Mr.. McAiullen
warned the Republicans that if they succeeded in
elccting Speaker restored the Missouri restriction
and repealed the fugitive slave law, the Union must
and will be dissolved.
Mr.. CadwalIader counseed the Democrats to adj
here firmly to their position and platform.
The House then adjourned, without acting on Mr..
Smiths resolution.
In the House. on Friday, high words passed be-
tween Mcssrs. Giddngs and McAIuilen and speech
es were made by Messrs. Cox, Etheridge, and 9TH
ers. Dir. Cobb, of Georgia, defended the Demo-
Gratis and urged them to stand firm in their present
position, especially when purged as now of the last
vestige of frcesoilism. The House then adjourned
without voting for Speaker.
The Washington Union of Thursday contains the
following notice Of Mr. Fullers remarks (referred to
above,) which we cordially endorse:
'sMR. FULLER's SPEECH.-The feature of yester-
dap's debate was unquestionably the speech of the
Hon. Henry NJ. Fuller, of Pennsylvania Much in
has been felt to the position of this gentle
man, inasmuch as, while he was put forward by the
Southern know-nothings as an eminently national
man. he received during the early stages of the bal
lettings the votes of some of the most decided anti
Nebraska men Of the North. The class of southern
know nothings who have rallied around Mr.. Fuller,
finding that their position Was becoming uncOm-
Portable in view of the record made by the differ
ent and differing supporters OF that gentleman,
seemed to have determined to have his sentiments
on the slavery question clearly understood. With a
vi settle the difficulty, no doubt, MIR. Fuller
yesterday addressed the House, and in brief speech
of great good sense and excellent temper he defined
his position which, including his prompt response
to MIR. Percy Walker, of the Mobile district, may
be summed up as follows: Acquescence in the leg
islation of Congress the Nebraska bill as final
settlement of that question the principle OF pop
ular sovereignty, and distinct refusal to assist in
restoring the Missouri Compromise We heard this
avowal with pleasure, and DESIRE here and now, to
express thanks to him for the involuntary tr.
butte which he paid to great Democratic principle
Mr. Fuller, however, did not say that he was will
ling to apply the princip of the Nebraska bill i'll
the organization Of any future Territories, nor is it
understood that he is separated from the know
thing party between whose unconstitutional tests
and oaths and the democratic party there is an i'm
passabe gulf. But he has done nobly and well
thus far; and fervently hope that when he shall
that northern know-nothingism and abolition
ism almost synonymous terms, and when he shall
realize, he doubtless will realize, and that very
soon, that the principle of the Nebraska bill is the
only one that reconcile future disputes the
question of slavery in the Territories he will COM
plete the good work by taking his stand under the |
flag of the democracy, and most truly and fully
represent his immediate constituents and the |
national sentiment of the American people,"
Know NOTHING MIsRULE-San Francisco is bur-
dened with debt, and her treasury is empty; New |
Orleans has disposed of the of her public wharves