New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-28
Mr.. CAMPBELL AND THE PLURALITY
RULE.

HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,, WAsHISGToN,
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 1856.
To the Editors of The Ipteli9encer.
GENTLEMEN: The struggle to elect Speaker has
been surrounded with much embarrassment, and the
peculiar relation which has been my misfortune,
pursuing the advice of friends, to occupy with regard
TO IT, renders i. indicate for nor to give any
opinion as to the causes of the existing difficulties.
prefer therefore to submit quietly to the virulent
sauts which many of the Anti-Admnistration papers
are making, until plain statement of facts may be
given without the danger of producing further delay
in the transaction of the public business am called
upon however by numerous private letters, as well
as by portion of the Press entitled to respectful
reply for my for voting against an election OF
Speaker by q plurality vote.
/ came into Congress inexperienced in Legislative
duties in 1s4s when there was similar contest the
prominent candidates being Messrs. Winthrop and
Cobb. The Free-SOi party was represented by
Messrs Giidings, Wilmot Root and some six Others,
who held the balance of power. After protracted
struggle many efforts were made to adopt plurality
rule. Although a supporter of Mr.. Winthrop, united
with the Free-So men on this question and uniformly
voted against IT, agreeing with them in the arguments
which they presented that it Of doubtful constitu-
tonaly and departure from the uniform usage since
the organization of the Government, of hazardous
tendency 1t was finally adopted, and the result was
that House, majority of which was elected as ad-
YoNa,os nf tho WTot PyoyisS refused used to aGply
which, by the laws of that Government, had been
previously dedicated to free institutions, and closed its
legislation the Slavery question by the enactment
OF the Fugitive Slave Law to'teont securing tr,di by
.Jury, as recommended by MIR. Clay and the Compro-
mise Committee of the Senate.
On one occasion during the contest referred TO, when
the plurality resolution before the House, Mr. Gid
diDgs proposed the following substitute, in the pro-
priety Of which fully concurred:
Eheo the election of the Speaker Of this body Is one OF
the highest and most important duties incumbent upon m mem
Whereo o by consent Of every House OF
Repre- since the adoption Of the Constitution ma
oy all the votes has been regarded as necessary to choice
Of officer; and Whereas the freedom Of debate has ever
regarded of the safeguards Of American liberty;
Reoired That change in such election to elect
Speaker plurality of while the minority are not per
ed to discuss proprety tutonslity of such
change will be oppressive in operation of dangerous tendency
and ought 10 BE- adopted
During the first week Of this session, when It was
suggested to me by the friends who kindly supported
me for the Speakers chair that O plurality resolution
would insure success, again avowed my opposition
to it.
Without celebrating the subject my reasons tor
voting against it now will state:
l. That am not fully satisfied that it is not an in
fraction Of the spirit of the Constitution
9. That it is an abandonment Of an uniform usage,
which did not in ls49 and fear would not now, pro-
mote the success of the principles which advocate.
3. Because / have reason to apprehend that It's
adoption at this time will result in giving the organza-
ton of the House to the friends Of the Nebraska Act
4. Because aside from principle, am not disposed
to stutfy my past record until am satsned II Is
such sacrifice, and change OF my position would
settle the "vexed question.
give these reasons briefly now from a regard to
those who have requested them in respectful terms
To the outsiders here who may have "iobs In view,
and 10 the editors elsewhere who have denounced me
a. traitor to the principle have always adyo-
Gated and still adhere to- bid defonoe! am neither
to be led the puppet Of the former nor to be drcen
under the lash of the latter. .,,,,,,,,
Very truly yours, &c. LEWIS u CAhfbEb-