American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-02-16
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsuIScroN. Feb. 3. 1866.

-.SSOA0Ao NosSu dSttuSt THO piutoNty |
rule. but as yesterdays vote indicated
that there is now some chance Of elect.
ing for Speaker, a man Of sound nation |
al views, he now offered resolution for
the adoption of the plurality rule.
"A motion was made to table it, but
the house refused to do SO by ten ma.
jority.
The plurality resolution offered by
Mr.. Smith was adopted--yeas 1l3, nays
Io4-amid great applause.
Mr.. Orr Internationally withdrew
his name as the democratic caucus can.
didate. there being now q probability.
he said of concentrating greater strength
on his colleague, Mr.. Aiken.
Mr.. Boyce moved to rescind the teso.
luton.
Mr.. Boyce's resolution was tabled
yeas III, nays lO1. lApplausel.
Mr.. Jones, Of Tennessee, referring to
the terms ofthis resolution-"ifno cleo
ton by majority the candidate receiv-
ing the highest number on the fourth
vote be declared Speaker"-remarked:
The Republicans are drilled and ready
for the contest, and in order to give an
opportunity for any gentleman to come
here understandingIy, he moved an ad-
journment till Monday.
The House refused to adjourn by a
vote 1873 to 81.
Applause. and impatient cries of
Call the ROLL"
The clerk called the roll the one hun
dred and thirtieth time, with the follow
ing result:
Whole number Of votes, els; necessa.
ry to choice, 10S. Ofthese Mr.. Banks
received 103; Aiken 90; II. M. Fuller
Id; L. D. Campbell 4; Wells g.
The second vote, excepting that Mr..
Fuller lost one. was the same as the first.
The third vote was the Same as the last
excepting that Mr.. Aiken lost one.
Mr.. Fuller. of Pennsylvania, repeat
ed what he had said on two former oc-
casions, namely that he was not and did
not desire to be a candidate. One hum
dred and thirty trials had satisfied him
that he was not the choice of a majority
ofthis body. and on no other terms or
conditions would he consent to take
that position.
Mr. Barclay remarked tina. he had
| been averse to anything like coalition
with Know Nothingism, whether it
came from the Nor IN or theSouth, asked
Mr. Aiken whether the latter stood on
the Democratic Caucus Platform, and
whether he had not written letter TO
Humphrey Marshall, making pledges to
the Southern wing Of the Know Moth.
| ingsl
|
Mr.. Aiken replied-I am not can
didate. Ifmy friends think proper 10
place me in tho chair, will serve ,hem
to the best Of my ability.
Mr.. FL. Marshall have only to say,
that Mr.. Aiken has addressed me no
letter. lApPlause and cries OF call the
roll.
Intense excitement now existed in all
parts OF the hall, when tho House pro-
ceeded to the final vote under the plu-
rality resolutions.
| Mr. A. X. Marshall, during tho roll
call, congratulated his American friends
that they had fought good fight aud
conquered. There was no Democratic
candidate now in the field wi tn an often
sive caucus platform. Performing his
duty as patriot and not as a partisan
he voted for Mr.. Aiken.
/ Mr.. Walker also voted the same way
esteeming Mr.. Aiken man with no
stains Of mere partisansm on his skirts.
A man who has not sought office, but
to whom office is rendered, and is true
to the Constitution.
Mr. Paine and Mr.. Lindley also voted
for Mr.. Aiken, knowing him to be a ma
tional man.
Mr.. Smith Of Alabama, voted for Mr..
Aiken under protest.
Other gentlemen vainly sought an
opportunity tor explanations. Amid
the confusion several gentlemen chang
ed their votes, and for so doing, were
greeted with applause. There were
impatient cries of "announce the vote"
The lobbies were crowded to suhoca,ion
and the excitement were increased by
the startling cry that a boy was being
crushed to death by the pressure in the
galleries. Some members cried fall
back" others "haud him over the rail-"
Finally the boy was released from his
imminent danger. "Announce the vote"
was again shouted from all sides of the
House. The Clerk then read the vote
as follows:
Banks 109, Aiken 100; Fuller 6;
Campbell of Ohio a. Wells 1. Mr.. Ben
son, one of the tellers declared Mr..
Banks elected. Deafening shouts on
the Republican side, and in other quar-
ters. Tho ladies in the galleries waved
their handk erchiefs, and there were sew.
eral minutes Of wild disorder1
Mr.. A. X Marshall raised the question
that MIR. Banks was not elecied---the
Clerk had no powerto announce such
a result--it must DO declared by vote
Of the House.
The Clerk explained giving his reas.