The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-03
THIRTY-F 0URTH CONGRESS,
First Session,
Thursday, December q, 1855.

SENATE
The Senate did nothing, as usual, and adjourn
ed till Monday.
The House reassembled at ten o'clock.
The Clerk stated that the first business in
order was the consideration of the resolution
of Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, "that the Hon.
James l.. Orr, of South Carolina, be invited to
preside over this body until Speaker is elect
ed" the pending question being on the substi
tute offered therefor by Mr.. Colfax, of Indiana,
as follows:
"That the three parties into which this
House is divided, represented by the los votes
for Mr.. Banks. the Is for Mr.. Richardson, and
the 40 for Mr.. Fuller, shall each select a Speak
er pro tem., who shall preside over the delibe-
rations of this House alternately, as they may
mutually agree amongst themselves, until
Speaker is elected"
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, stated that his only
object in presenting his resolution was TO pro-
vide for such a temporary organization as
would be calculated to preserve order during
night sessions. He had, however, understood
this morning that some of the friends of the
resolution offered yesterday-that no motion to
adjourn should be in order until Speaker
should be eected-were disposed to rescnd it,
in order that the House might proceed in the
usual way to the election of Speaker during
proper hours.
Messrs. Orr and Campbell explained, stating
that the resolution had not originated in any
preconcerted arrangement.
Mr.. Campbell said he would now withdraw
his resolution, and move to rescind the resolu-
ton adopted yesterday, precluding motions to
adjourn until Speaker should be elected. He
hoped the motion would prevail, and that the
voting would be continued with as little debate
as possible.
Mr.. Todd, of Pennsylvania, called for the
yeas and nays on the motion to rescind.
The yeas and nays were then ordered, and
being TAKEN resulted-yeas III, nays SO. SO
the resolution was rescinded.
There being loud cries of" call the roll" the
sixty vote for Speaker was had, with the
following result:
Mr. Banks, Of Massachusetts 100
Mr. Richardson, Of Illinois &C
Mr.. Fuller, of Pennsylvania 30
Scattering 9
Whole number of votes given 205
Necessary to choice 1913
No candidate having received a majority of
the whole number of votes there was conse-
quently no election.
Mr.. Millward, Of Pennsylvania, felt it his
duty to state that few moments ago gentle
man had come to him, and told him that if he
would vote for Mr.. Banks, he should be made
chairman of the engraving, or photographic, or
printing committee.
Loud cries of "Who was it?" Name
him"
Mr.. Millward. 1t was John j. Pearce of
Pennsylvania
Mr.. Banks. No gentleman has any author
ity from me to offer the gentleman from Penn
sylvania, who is a stranger to me, any such po-
sition.
Mr.. Pearce am not nor have l been au-
authorized by Mr. Banks to make any such
pledge to Mr.. Milward or anybody else. /
saw Mr.. Millward few moments ago, and /
asked him if he would like to be chairman of
a committee. Laughter. did not say that
l was authorized by Mr.. Banks to make him
any promise.
Mr.. Millward. / ask the gentleman if he
did not few moments ago ask me to leave my
seat ? | left my seat, and went behind the
screen. The gentleman then asked me if it
was against my conscience to vote for Mr..
Banks? 1 inquired, "Why" "Why," re-
piled my colleague, "you can make good
thing of it." Laughter. ain what way y"
/ asked. Says he, You can be made chair
man of the printing, or photographic, or engra-
wing committee" Says l, "There is no such
committees" and came within the bar, and ex-
amined the Manual, but found no such commit
tee. / then inquired Of Mr.. H. Marshall if
there was such committee, and was told that
there was. | then went out and heard what
Mr.. Pearce had to say. / said "How do you
know that | can be made chairman of that
committee?" He replied, Z" / have just had a
conversation with Mr.. Banks, and he assured
me that any promise l should make to you
would be carried ont
Mr.. Pearce. positively deny what the gen.
tleman asserts. The gentleman has certainly
misconstrued my language.
Mr. Millward. There was no misconstruc-
ton. | never misconstrue.
Mr.. Pearce. You have misunderstood what
l said; and, from your own declaration, it
seems that you examined the Manual, and
found no such committee, and thereupon-
Mr.. Millward. appeal to Mr.. Humphrey
Marshall to state what occurred.
Mr.. II. Marshall, of Kentucky. Mr.. Mill
ward came to me this morning, and asked if
there was an engraving committee? | said
there was, and asked him why. He then made
the statement to me which he has Just made to
the House, and told him he ought to ex-
pose it.
Mr.. Campbell, of Pennsylvania. l will ask
the gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr.. Pearce
whether the conversation he had with Mr.. Mill
ward was of his own mere accord, or whether
it emanated from any other member of the
House, no matter whom?
Mr.. Pearce. 1t was more in a playful man
ner on my part. Laughter. / was not au-
thorized by Mr.. Banks to make any such
promise.
Mr. Millward. Did not the gentleman from
Pennsylvania tell me that Mr.. Banks had as
sured him, that in case would vote for him, he
would give me what my colleague had promised
me? J..
Mr. Pearcesa Ne, sir did not.
Mr.. Nillward. / say you did.