Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-12-19
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE STANDARD
WAsHINGToN, Dec. Is. 1855.

| session
efforts OF the House of Representatives to elect a
Speaker and effect organization have been fruit
less. Up to Friday night there had been no mpor-
tant change in the votes for the two leading cand-
dates, but the scattering had gradually concen-
! trated upon Fuller The result of the successive
ballotngs will be seen by reference the tabular
! statement below. The House is at dead lock-
| The Democracy have placed themselves a Ma
tlonal PLATFORM nominated candidate for Speaker
as Its embodiment and calmly abide the result
The Black Republicans seek to perfect strictly
tiona organization and have at different times voted
for Campbell and Banks, unaduterated Abolition
lists, as the opponents of their principles All other
men, not Black Republicans, but opposed to the pre-
sent Administration, mostly from the South, but EN-
| bracing 4 few from the North, present Fuller as
their man. the House could tie organized by the
election of Democratic Speaker through the aid of
| those now voting for Fuller, and the question is
| whether their repugnance to the African party or
their opposition to the Administration shall
| troll their action. They must however come to
! conclusion voluntarily, for the Democracy have
bargains to propose terms to Offer The few
Northern men embraced IN this division, are at one
moment the objects of abolition Establishments, and
the of its abuse but neither has had the eff
feet to drive them into the Abolition fod and it is
hardly probable that at this late day they will be
persuaded by the first or driven by the latter.
The Democratic members continue to maintain
unbroken front and to cast uniform vote for the
gallant Richardson. Their organization is perfect,
and resting as it does entirely upon the soundness
of the principles binding them together it presents
to the country an aspect worthy of its confidence
and admiration Inc only national organization IN
the House, it presents the only real obstacle to the
triumph of A5olitionism and of the enemies of the
country. Is it not time, when all the hosts of the
Black Republican party striving to organize on
strictly sectional basis making hostility to the 9TH
er section the of its platform and the
guide board of its action for all true men, who seek
to preserve the Union and the Constitution rally
around the standard of the only party possessing
national organization, aVowing national principles,
and possessing power to overthrow the traitors?
The lobby Of the House is full of the managing
Africans, among them being Greedy, Webb, Weed,
Senators Sumner, Hale, and Wilson, and others of
less note. Greedy is the COMMANDMENTS Ohief.-
With his sinister physiognomy, bald head and spec
tacles he looks like spirit OF evil as he peers over
the bar of the House, watching with earnestness
yet assuming the air of an unconcerned spectator,
the process of balloting Every Northern man who
will not submit his dication is threatened with
the dispeasure of the Tribune and the vengeance of
his constituents.
The House presents curious spectacle while the
ballotings 90 The Speakers Chair is vacant
The Clerk calls the roll, the votes are recorded by
an assistant the result is ascerained, and annOnced
by one of the four members who superintend the
ballotings. Immediately from all parts of the Hall
there are demands to "cal the roll" and the
process is repeated. Each baliotng consumes three
quarters Of an hour. About haif-past two o'clock
every day there motion to djourn which, decided
by tellers-that is, two members selected by the
| Clerk who station themselves in the open space in
front of the Speakers Chair and Clerks desk, and
all those in favor of the motion to adjourn pass be-
| tween them, count being made, those opposed to
an adjournment likewise pass through when the
teers report to the Clerk the number in favor of
| and opposed to the notion and he announces the
result. At this hour the motion to adjourn is gen
orally unsuccessful. Another ballot succeeds, the
result is announced the honr for dinner has arrived
and the House djourns. Such is a glimpse at Its
proceedings for the past twelve days
The Senate is awaiting the action of the House,
having accomplished little beyond the electio- ofthe
standing committees for the session. The Old Sen.
ators continue on the same committees as hereto
fore, Mr.. Mason being Chairman OF the Committee
on Foreign Affairs Mr. Douglas, Territories, Mr.
Mallory on Naval Affairs, and Gov Reid is
member of the committee on Indian Affairs and OF
that on the District of Columbia; and Mr. Blggs is
member of the five following Committees: Terri
tories. Private Land Claims Roads and Canals Mill
itia, and Retrenchment.
It is generally understood that 4 caucus of the
Democratic members of the Senate was held yester-
day when the subject of making nomination for
Printer of the Senate under consideration 1t
is stated also that several Senators resisted the
movement to make caucus nomination, and find
ing large majority in its favor, declined to take
further part in its proceedings The election will
probably be held on Monday, when l have no doubt
the Union Will be chosen, it having been resolved to
make a nomination.
As a matter in which the Democratic party is
directly interested, is difficult to how these
Senators especially the Senators from Virginia,
Justify themselves in pursuing what may be regard
ed as a dsorganiZng course, IN the face too, OF the
admirable example presented them by the Democ-
racy of the House. Southern Senators cannot APP
preciate too highly the importance of maintaining
the efficient organization OF the party as protec
ton to the rights and interests of their constituents
petition has been presented in the Senate from
Commodore Smith, one of the Naval officers retired
from active duty by the Naval Retiring Board, pray
ing for relief-in other words, to be rc-insated in
his former position the active list. The retired
officers and their friends have raised much clamOr
at the action of the Board and have determined to
bring their cases the consideration of Congress.
The object of this early movement is to defer the
confirmation by the Senate of the promotions made
to fill the vacancies occasioned by the action of the
Board There may be a very few cases of in Justice
or few errors committed, but find general dis
position prevails in Congress to acquesce in the de-
cision of the Board and sustain its approval by the
Executive An investigation may be ordered, but
it can hardly have any other result than to confirm
the general correctness of the decisions of the Board
Naval reform has occupied the attention of Congress
and the public for many years. and now that step
in advance has been taken and the younger men
brought forward to positions of rank and RESPONSE
billty corresponding to their length of service and
varied experience, it is not probable that Congress
will go back and re6t the Navy with old and worm
out material The public interests must be protec-
ted as well the interests of the Navy. Ehicien-
cy in the public service is demanded and this could
not be, so long the higher grades were halffled
with incompetent men, and the young officers were
retiring from the Navy and seeking employment in
the commercial marine lest they should grow gray
in the service and still have attained only the rank
of hIidshipmen Lieutenants
AS the House adjourned yesterday, Mr.. Cum
back an abolition member from Indiana, announced
u caucus last evening of the anti-Nebraska MEM
x~f