Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-01-30
THOS. BRAGG.
THE SPEAKERSHIP.

At meeting of the Democratic members of the
House of Representatives, held on the 23d, it was
"Resolred, That, adhering to the principles an
nounced by the democratic caucus that nominated
Mr.. Richardson for Speaker, and in view of his
withdrawal candidate, hereby nominate for
the Office of Speaker of the present House of Repre-
sentatives the Hon. James L. Orr, of South Caro-
lima"
On the oath, Mr. Fuller also withdrew his name
as candidate, leaving Col. Orr and Mr. Banks in
nomination. The vote of the House on Friday, the
25th, however, shows that Mr.. Fuller's friends
still adherng to him. he having received nearly his
usual vote. COL Richardson, the first Democratic
nominee came forward and Withdrew his name in
the hope that his withdrawal might lead to an or.
ganization of the House he is followed in this by
Mr.. Fuller--yet Mr.. Fulcrs friends still vote for
him, and refuse to sustain Mr. Orr Southern man.
and who is admirably qualified in every respect for
the duties of the chair. Now whose fault is it that
the House is organized? The recent vote of the
House on the reception of the Presidents special
message, shows that the conservative members
united, stronger than the black Repu, licans.
The Democrats, it is clear, have done all in their
power to organize the House; and no censure can,
therefore, justly rest on them.
IL
refer to some precedents in the election of Speaker
of the House, to which attention has been called
by friend who was then member of that body.
1t appears from the House Journal, of the I'd
session of the 10th Congress, that on the 18th Of
November, 1920, the day then set apart for the as
sembling of the House, letter was read from
Henry Clay, rcsigning his place as Speaker. The
House then proceeded to vote by ballot for Speak
emo nominations haoing been made; and on
Wednesday, the 18th November "upon an ex-
animation of the twenty second ballot, it appeared
that John w. Taylor, of the representatives
from the State of New York, duly elected"
Again On the second day of the first session of
the 18th Congress- Tuesday, Dec. 4. 1921, Philip P.
Barbour of Virginia, was duly elected Speaker on
the 10Th ballot-no nominations harng been made.
The present House of Representatives have wisely
adhered to the open RIGA uoce mode of voting; but
if no nominations had been made, the House might
have been nearer an election than it now is We
not condemning the plan Of making nomina-
ions but merely referring to the practice OF former
years, and to the results, as in contrast with the
present practice. Suppose for example, all parties
in the House should agree to withdraw their nomi.
nees, and to vote without nominations; we should
have fears as to the action of the Democrats in
that body, for they would vote as they are now do.
ing for national men; but wider range of selection
would be afforded-members would cease to indulge
prejudces against candidates, they entertain
and indulge them, simply because they have been
formally nominated; and in this way Speaker
might soon be elected There is no hope that the
black Republicans will act like patriots at crisis
like the present. or indeed in any crisis; they are
therefore, out Of the calculation but the opponents
of the administration, excluding the black Republic
cans, and the friends Of the administration, to-
gether, constitute majority of the House. Why
cannot these too unites