The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-02-08
FINAL STRUGGLE FOR SPEAKER.
THU PLURALITY RULE ADOPTED.
ORR WITHDRAWN AND AIKEN NOMINATED.
Fuller Withdr a WE .
BANKS ELECTED!
The Republicans wild with Exni"
1atiGns
WAsHISGroN, Feb. >.

WASHINGTON, Feb. ,.
Mr.. Smith. of Tenn, said he had hereto
fora voted against the plurality rule, but us
Yesterdays ote indicated some chance of
an election rs Speaker of man Of sound
national views, he now offered a resolution
for the adoption of that rule. The House
bv 10 majority refused to lay the resolution
on the table.
+ The resolution was adopted toy vote Of
/ ll3 against l04 Mr.. Orr then uncondition-
ally withdrew his name Us the Democratic
cau-us candidate, there being now proba
/ bilitv that greater strength can be concen-
trated upon his colleague, Mr.. Aiken. Mr..
Bovce moved to rescind the resolution
Mr. Bovce's motion TO rescind the plurai.
ty resolution was tabled By III against l0l.
i Applause.l
Mr. Jones, OF Tenn, referring to the
terms of the resolution, that if there is no
election by a ma ioritv in the next three tri
ais, that the candidate receiving the highest
vote on the fourth ballot be declared Speak
ct. He remarked that the Republicans We're
prepared for the contest, and moved an
adjournment till Monday TO give the other
parties an opportunity TO arrange their plans,
Disagreed to.
[Cries Of call the roll.
Walker removed TO rescind the plurality
resolution. Decided out Of order by A. ma
jority.
PAYNE moved an adiournment-refu
+ He then made an Intellectual motion to re-
scind the plurality rule
1 The House proceeded TO vote. Banks leo,
/ Aiken 90. Fuller Ii, Barclay and Hlnckman,
/ (Dem.) voted for Wells, and Dunn, Harri-
son. Moore and Scott, for Campbell, of Ohio.
| Necessary TO a choice, los. The second vote
same excepting Fuller. Last one was same as
| first. The third was same Us second, except
! ing Aiken lost one.
/ Mr.. Fuller, of Penn, repeated what he had
said on two former occasions-namely, that
he was not and did not desire to be candi-
date; $50 ballots had satisfied him that he
was not the choice Of majority Of the
House, and on no other terms would he CON
sent to take that position.
Mr.. Barclay remarked that he had been
diverse to anything like coalition with
Nnow- Nothingism, whether it came from the
North or the South. He asked Mr.. Aiken
whether he stood on the Democratic caucus
platform, and whether he had not written q
letter 10 Humphrey Marshall, making pledges
Ia the Southern wing OF Know Nothlngs.
Mr.. Aiken am not n candidate Tor the
Speakership. If nv friends think to place
me in the chair will serve them 70 the best
Of my ability.
Humphrey MARSHALL have only to say
that Mr.. Aiken has addressed me no letter
whatever. Applause and cries Of call the
roll The excitement was intense during
The final ballot.
Mr.. A. X. Marshall. during the call Of the
roll congratulated his American friends, say
ing they had fought good fight and con-
0uerea There was now no Democratic can
Iidate in the field with IN offensive caucus
/ platform, performing his duty as patriot
md not us a partlzan. lie voted for Mr..
! Aiken.
Mr.. Walker voted the same way, esteem
ing Mr.. Aiken man with no stain Of parti-
z4nship on his skirts. 4 man who has not
! sought office, but to whom Office is rendered,
ami who is true to the constitution.
/ Messrs PAYNE and Lindley voted for Mr..
| Aiken knowing him to be Il national man.
/ Mr. Smith, Of Ala, voted for Mr.. Aiken
under protest.
! Other members yainly sought to make OK
| plantations, the greatest confusion prevailing.
Several members now changed their votes,
/ and were greeted with applause for so dong.
! Impatient cries, "Announce the vote" An
uounce the vote! -
The Hobbies were crowded 10 suffocation,
and the excitement was increased by the
startling cry that boy was being crushed to
death by the pressure in the gallery. Some
az the members shouted out, ''fall back -
and others, s.Iland him over thee rali' The
boy was at length released from his imminent
LANCER.
| "Annonnce the yotel' was now shouted
! from all parts Of the House.
/ The Clerk then read the vote as follows :;
| Banks, l03: Aiken, 100, Fuller. = Camp
/ bell, Of o., 4 Wells, |.
! Mr.. Benson, one of the tellers, then de-
i clared that Mr.. Banks was elected Speaker.
! Deafening shouts of applause followed
! from the Republican side, and other quar-
tors of the House. The ladies in the CALLER
ies waved their handkerchiefs for several
minutes. The disorder was beyond descrip
tion
| Mr.. A. K Marshall, raised the question
that Mr.. Banks was not elected, saying the
i clerk had no power to authorize such u re-
sult 10 be announced il must be SO declared
by the vote of the House.
The clerk explained, giving reasons which
appeared to be satisfactory, Tor his conduct
Mr.. Campbell of Ohio appealed to the hon
or of gentlemen 10 carry the plurality res
ohtion and end the disgraceful scene.
Mr.. Cobb Of Georgia regarded Mr.. Banks
as virtually elected by a majority of the
! House under the plurality rule
Mr.. Aiken asked to be allowed to conduct
llr. Banks as Speaker to the char. lap
Dl4use.
IT.. Smith of Alabama highly appreciated
,fr. Aiken's request. II granted he thought
ii would heal division and pour oil on the
troubled waters when grown up men make
chiId'y bargain they ought 10 stick to it
Laughter.
After further debate Mr.. Clingman offer
"a resolution declaring that by reason Of
the adoption of the plurality rule and the
vote taken under it Mr.. Banks had been duly
chosen Speaker and is thereby 50 declared.
Passed by yeas $50, nays 30.
Several gentlemen explained. Though