Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-01-01

WASHINGTON Dec. %. $50.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

vote Tor Mr.. Banks, ne th1ilwardD snppiu :"
made chairman of the Engraving or Liihograph-
ing Committee or Printing Committee, anu have
n good thing Of it.
Laughter, and cries of Name him. WHO
is bel "&e.
This announcement caused great sensation.
nearly all the members rising to their feet. and
much interest was manifested in all parts of the
hall.
Mr.. Banks, amid great confusion. denied en-
pha,ically that anybody had authority to offer
any such proposition from him.
Mr.. Penrce rose amid cries of Order Let's
hear bim"-..Down in tront"-Hes said he had
not been authorized by Mr.. Banks to make such
a pledge to Mr.. Mr.. Millward or any body else,
although n few moments ago he asked that gen.
,leman how he would like TO be chairman of the
Committee on Engraving Lnughterl
Mr.. Millward asked Mr.. Pearce Did you
not say that if it was against my conscience to
vote for Banks | could make "A good thing OF it
Laughter asked how You replied that
could be made chairman of the printing, litho-
graphing or engraving committee. asked how
do you know ] can be made chairman; when you
resi- onded; Il have just had n conversation
with Mr.. Banks, who said that any promise |
should make would be carried out by him"
Mr.. Pearce.-I deny what my colleague has
said, lie has misconsirued my remarks.
Mr.. Millward.-I could not nisconstrue them.
fGreat confusion, mingled with cries of cor
DER"
Mr.. Humphrey Marshall remarked that he had
advised Mr.. Millward to make the exposition.
Mr.. Pearce.-I alluded to the matter merely
in n playful manner to my colleague. Laugh
ter.
Mr.. Millward-I don't consider it play, sir.
Mr.. Florence.-Such a thing is a disgrace to
our State, pennsylvania and were it in order
would at once move a ommitte of investigation.
Mr.. Millward Ito Mr.. Piercc)- Did you not
tell me that Mr.. Banks assured you in case vo-
ted for him he would give what you promised!
Mr. Pcarce-I did not.
Mr.. neutrality-suspicious. say you did.
Had you a conversation at all with Mr.. Banksl
Mr.. Gidings-lhis form standing out promi-
ncnt amid the storm calmly expressed the o.
pinion that the House he'd enough of these pro-
cecdings.
Mr.. Banks.-No man has had any assurance
from me with regard to the formation of commit
tees. | stand. if elected to the office of Speaker
ship, perfectly free to do what is right aud prop
or for myself for the house and for the country,
and of that l am the judge, and for doing which
| would he responsible to the House and the
country. LApplause.l
Mr.. Todd said he trusted his colleague tMr.
Millward) would be more guarded hereafter in
attacking the character of gentlemen. The
Pennsylvania delegation are Independent. guard
ed by right and truth. acting intelligently, ask
ing no pledges and guilty of no false pretences.
Mr.. Millwarl said he was not 10 be frightened
by being told that he must be more guarded
He had only alluded to one gentleman from Penn
sylvania. and that was Mr.. Pearce.
Mr.. Campbell, of Pennsylvania, remarked that
he had frequently met Mr.. Banks socially, and
he had never heard him, at any time, or under
any circumstances, make any remarks which
could be construed into n pledge.
Mr.. Paine thought the House ought to be OBJ
liged 10 Mr.. Millward for his revelation. He
(Mr. Paine) heard Mr.. Fearce say that he had
assurance from Mr.. Banks, that the latter would
so constitute committees rs to take CAFE ot the
interests of Pennsylvania. He could prove the
fact.
Mr.. Pearce replied hat he had assurance that
PENNSYLVANIA Interests would hr cared for, but
he rever had it from Mr.. Banks, bat from his own
colleagues
Mr.. English sajdh he thought This was IA pretty
family fight, and he voted for Mr.. Richardson as
n man above suspicion.
Mr.. A. X. Marshall said he was perfectly sat
i-Ged that if these charges were true they un-
ii,ted Mr.. Banks for the Speakership. In con
sequence of the absence of some members, proof
cannot now be produced or other revelations
might be made. He desired that all further vot-
ing be dispensed with to-day.
Mr.. Colfax contended that This was not the pro-
per tribunal to investigate mere idle rumors. ut
tered perhaps in bar. rooms. If it were.he might
repeat a rumor regarding the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, but which he did not believe
true.
Mr.. Fuller-I wish to know what it l..
Mr.. Coifax-The rumor is this-That. in vouI
opinion. Mr.. Whitfield, the delegate from Nansl,
was legally elected.
Mr.. Fuller-I know nothing about the matter
and have snid nothing. 1t is II subject of contes-
ted election. and | shall examine it fairly. Any
ralnor contrary to this is utterly false: md |
stigmatize as a liar any one who nuthoriees any
such expression.
Mr.. Colfax, resuming said-IIe had remarked
that the rumor was doubtless untrue, aud mere
ly alluded TO it now to show how futile such
charges were. He beloved that the other rumor
would prove alike fnllacious. There was no
reason for the voting to be superseded.
Mr.. Whitfield (the delegate from Kansas)-I
ask for no Pledges stand on the justice ofmy
cause.
Mr.. A X. Marshall stated that his object in
moving II suspension of %voting was to afford time
for reflection. He did not refer to mere rumors
but to direct charges of which there was album
dance.
Mr.. Campbell ofOhio, having been alluded to
said. that no members of Congress had ever APP
preached him, demanding pledges, during the
time he was voted for as a candidate for Speaker
- He would have kicked such out of his room.
Mr.. Washburne of Maine, did not want dark
insinaatiuns. but TO understand the charges
now: and he then defended Mr.. Banks.
Mr., Kunkrl of PENNSYLVANIA. said his delega-
tion had neither asked nor received pledges from
Mr.. Banks.
Here the episode ended. and the House again
voted with precisely the same result as the pro-
ceeding vote.
Then, utter a session of 5 hours duration. the
| House adjourned.