Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-01-23
STAUNTON SPECTATOR.
.AssTAUNTON:~
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY as, 1856.
The Spenkership.


with slight variations Banks "a, Richardson 81,
Fuller Sl-the key note only changing from high
to low as there are many or few members present
to vote in the House of Representatives. There
appears to be no more probability of an election
now. at the close of the seventh week of the ses-
sion, than there was on the first day. Members
have assumed their positions. and seem resolved
to maintain them, let the consequence be what 1t
may. If 1.-THE Democracy would consent to any.
thing less than party triumph, Speaker might
be elected without further delay. The Ameri-
cans. as we understand the matter, are willing TO
unite with the Democratic members at any time,
to elect compromise candidate, but they are not
willing to make an abject surrender to their en-
Filtered opponents. The Democrats, although
unable to elect Speaker themselves, set out with
nominating party candidate and at the same
time insultingly denouucing the other party in the
House, to which they should have looked for aid
in effecting conservative organization. And
now, in Congress and throughout the country, the
Americans are censured for not helping to achieve
a Democratic victory Sef.respect does not al
low them TO act such part, and patriotism does
not demand it,
Within the last week or ten days there have
been some interesting movements among the mem
bers of Congress, both in the House and in the
prvste meetings Of the respective parties. In the
first place, the resolution offered by Mr. Zollcof
fer that candidates for the Speakership should an
swer questions, brought out the three prominent
candidates upon the slavery question. Mr.. Rich
ardsoh avowed his belief in the constitu,onality
of the Wilmot proyso, although he had never
Keitt and Mcqueen, of South Carolina, and
Messrs Quitman and Barksdae, of Mississippi,
refused to vote for him. The boiling of these
gentlemen produced great sensation in the Dem
ocratic ranks, and party caucus was called to
arrange the difficulty. This meeting was atten-
ded by forty -nine members, and MIR. Richardson,
for the third time, requested leave TO withdraw.
Gen. Quitman spoke eoquently ESQ the report
says) on State rights and squatter sovereignty
which also MIR. Richardson was understood to IA
vor-and urged the impossbiity of his supporting
any man who endorsed the conslituiionality of the
Wilmot proyiso. But before the adjournment he
expressed himself willing to waive his objections
and still vote for MIR. Richardson, and the caucus
then unanimously agreed to stand by their candi-
date. Subsequently, it is stated, the three South
Carolinians became satisfied with MIR. Richard
sons explanations and returned to his support
The Democracy, therefore, are again ostensbly
united and harmonious, but The question arises, If
there were only forty-nine of the party at the
caucus, where were the twenty four who make up
the full Richardson vote Of seventy and three p
SOme Of them, possibly, are tired Of tie contest.
Mr.. Millson, of this State, announced in the
House on the 18th, that although still voting for
MIR. Richardson, he was in no manner committed
10 the line of policy laid dnwn by the Democratic
caucus, but felt free 10 cast his vote where 1t
would b. most effective; and Mr.. Faulkner, on
Wednesday. submitted a proposition that if no
Speaker was elected by Monday last, the mem
bers should resign and the House adjourn to meet
on the first Monday in May.
The Northern faction, as well as the Demo.
Gratis, have sought to tighten party reins. de-
bate in the House on "Wednesday, damaged Mr..
Banks prospects, and a caucus, of course, was
the natural remedy. Ninety members were pre-
sout, including three Pennington men. propo-
sition was made to put stop to members Offering
individual propositions independently of general
consultation, but withdrawn, aad debate ensued
in regard to the binding effect of the nomination
OF Mr. Banks The vote was then taken for a
party candidate which resulted: Banks 66,
Campbell IL. Pennington 4. scattering T. The
nomination of Banks was declared unanimous, and
the meeting adjourned.
| The Republicans held another caucus Friday
night, and after good deal of speechifying it was
resolved to stand where they were. with the un-
Outstanding, however, that some fifteen of them
were inclined TO shape their own course without
asking leave of anybody.