The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-12-23
IN CONGRESS- OF THE u. STATES
Thirty Fourth Congress First session.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER %, 1855.
The Senate did not sit to-day.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House met at IL, n.

The House met at IL, "a.
The journal of yesterday read and approved.
Mr.. BENNETT, of Mississippi obtained the floor
Mr. WASllBURN Of Maine, gave notice that when the
gentleman had concluded his speech he would raise The
question whether debate in order until after the organ
naion of the House by the choice Of Speaker?
Mr.. FLORENCE said that he would oppose any such
point Of order That the opposition had occupied the time
and attention of the House until now and he thought that
the other side should be heard He intended to make
remarks himself particularly Penns politics
Mr. BENNETT said that he disncined partici-
pate the discussion of the question before the House but
ne felt due the country aud the people whom he
had the honor in part to represent that the question should
be placed in proper light before them He demanded 10
know why it TINT the party who in the majority
had refused unite in the election of Speaker 10 preside
the deliberations of the House? that had the demo-
cratic party appeared the oer Of the House with
small majority they would before twelve hours had passed
after the first meeting have organized and the necessary
legislative business of the country would be in rapid
state of progress.
Mr. b then proceeded to review the positions of the
publican and American parties the floor of the House
and the platform of their respective parties and spoke with
great eoquence of the platform adopted by the democratic
party in caucus wing it the duty of every truly
southern man to support the nominee OF that party Mr.
RICHARDSON.
which he had given previous notice lie said that he did
propose it for the purpose of suppressing debate on
any of the questions before the House for he had come
here prepared to meet opinions of every kind and
be cared not what those opinions were be ready
the proper time TO discuss them at present he was de-
srous of seeing organization OF the House. that the de-
perty of the country depends, might be conducted with
parliamentary decorum This could not be done in the
present condition of the House That in his opinion
there but proper subjects for discussion before The
House6rst the responsibility which might attach the
various parties composing the House for the delay in eff
fecng organzatoni and second, the explanation OF
the positions present occupied by gentlemen. That for
himself he had explanation to make--every man un-
dersood his position He hoped the House would ADOPT
the resolution in order to restore order;
esoeed That until the organization of the House by the
ntac nf
debate any question before the House, shall
any member speak that once on question before the
house until every member desiring to speak shall have
been heard
Mr. wAsHBURN, of Maine asked the gentleman to
modify his resolution by adding, "and that motion
to lay the table there shall be no debate
Mr. QUIfMAR accepted the modification
Mr.. TRENTON thought that the resolution should be SO
modified as TO suppress all debate
The question being taken on the resolution, 1t was
agreed TO.
Mr. STANTON stated that he did not rise for the pnr-
pose of occupying minutes of the time of the House.
but simply submit resolution which, in bis opinion,
furnished the only possible practical means of securing
organization In offering the resolution he followed the
e eient OF 1sl9 when similar condition of things
sted and when the House organized by the election OF
Speaker by the plurality vote That he apprehended no
difficulties in the of its adoption as 10 the power OF The
House &C. The constitution provided that the House
should choose Speaker it authorized the House to pass
rules and regulations for the OF its proceed
ings and therefore the House in its present condition
was House in the meaning Of the constitutional provis-
ion Il had been so recognised from the first day of the
session until the present time and BY every rule OF con-
struvon the House could with much proprety require
that the plurality rule should govern that the election
OF Speaker should be upd la conclusion he submit
ted the following resolution which he asked the pre-
vous question: aud the passage of which he demanded
the yeas and nays
Reped That the House do proceed to vote uiga
for Speaker Of the Thirty Congress- and the member
having highest number of votes provided it be major
ity quorum shall be declared to be elected Speaker
Mr. PHELPS moved to lay the resolution the table,
and on that motion called for the yeas and nays
The yeas and.nnys ordered and being taken re-
sulted--yeas Ia nays l07.
SO the motion to lay the resolution the table was
agreed 10.
Cries of Call the roL'
Mr. sAPP offered the following resolution, which he
demanded the yeas and nays
Resopcd That from and after this day the House sball
meet alto O'Clock, M until the election Of Speaker Is
eiiented.
Nessrs. FLORENCE and PECK objected to the resolr-
ton would interfere with the department business OF
the memhers.
The yeas and nays were ordered and being taken re-
sred-yeas 100, nays Ill SO the resolution was not
agreed to-