Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-24
REMEDIES FOR THE EVILS OF CON-
GREssIONAL DISCRIMINATION.

Every conceivable mode of effecting an or
ganzation of the House has been tried, but
without any satisfactory result. Parties are as
far apart now as they were when Congress first
met. Some sanguine persons begin to detect
in the rule, lately adopted, for silent voting,
symptoms Of an organization. These opinions
may turn out to be well founded, but, for our
selves we have but little faith in them. The
time has passed by in the House for effecting
any result by such means Had the House
commenced with, and steadily and uninterrrpt
eddy pursued, silent voting, and made a strin
gent rule against all debate or personal expla
nations, we think it likely that Speaker
would have been chosen ere this. But firing
Of the monotonous calling Of the roll and pant
ing for excitement, the members plunged into
fierce partisan discussions. They thus in
famed political resentments, widened the
breach between parties, and efectuaIly extin-
guished all hopes Of uniting the scattered con.
sentative elements in the House, without which
union, an election IS impossible.
1t is in vain to speak here Of the Importance
nay, the necessity Of an organization. 1t is
needless to speak Of the embarrassments under
which the Government labors, and Of the suf-
ferings 10 which individuals are subjected, in
consequence Of the failure to elect a Speaker.
These things are known, certainly to every
body in this community.
The last remedy proposed for the unfortu.
nate condition Of things existing in the House
came from Mr.. Faulkner, OF Virginia The
resolutions Of Mr. Faulkner, 1--WE omit the pre-.
amble) are as follows:
ResolUed, That each member Of this House
will, on Monday next, if Speaker shall not
before that day be elected, prepare and deposit
with the Clerk sealed paper, endorsed with
bis name and containing the resignation Of his
seat as member of the Thirty-Fourth Con-
gress; which sealed letter Of resignation, when
delivered by every member Of this House, or
by such number as will in good faith carry into
effect the object of this resolution, shall, BY
order Of the House, be opened by the Clerk,
and publicly read from his table, and shall
from that time operate TO yacate his seat as n
member Of this Houses and it shall be the
duty of the Clerk forthwith to transmit to the
Governors Of the several States the letters Of
resignation Of the members now representing
said States.
| ReSolUed, That when the House adiourns on
Monday next, it will, with the consent Of the
Senate, if Speaker shall not before that
day be elected, adjourn to meet on the first
Monday in May next
A motion TO lay these resolutions on the
table was carried by vote Of yeas IL ], nays s5
We do not propose discussing at length this
proposition for the relief Of the House-this
remedy for the evils which have thus far proved
incurabe. While it commandsthe acquiescence
of the Democratic party, and while we would
be glad to see this or any other remedy applied,
that offers any prospect Of relief we must say
that we look upon the plan proposed in these
resolutions as altogether impractcable. There
is not the slightest possibility Of its success.
The Black Republicans will cling to their seats
in Congress, ike grim death. They have no
idea Of sacrificing them and running the risk of
being defeated in new election.
Il is not a contingency to be contemplated,
that all the members Of the present House
will disinterestedly and periodically agree to
resign. If all we're to do SO but bakers doz.
en-, thatd dozen would still identified to ther seats.
Nothing but voluntary resignation or expulsion