Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-02-09
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE STANDARD.
WAsHIScroN Frpuu.pv4 1916

WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 4, 1856.
The contest ended--A sectional triumph Narratsee
o. proeeedings-Passage Of the plurality rule
me final ballot-A scene Of contusion-Gou.
4sken-1he Speaker in the Chair-IRe cote
Dodg'ng and seattering-A Baltimere Represen-
tatsre de'esting the South Compliment to COL
Forney-Election Of Clerk today.
The long contest is ended, and the black Repub-
licans have triumphed. After an extraordinary
struggle lasting nine weeks, the representative of
surety sectional party, standing upon a sectional
platform, and united in hostility to the institutions
OF one portion OF the Union has been elevated to the
position of presiding officer of the National House Of
Representatives.
The defeat of the plurality rule on Friday by two
majority only, indicated its certain success to be
close at hand The different resolutions offered on
that day to effect organization of the House. re.
suited in giving to Mr. Banks lO2 votes and to Gov
Aiken, Of S. C., 1O3. These votes seemed to show
that the chances for the election of either under the
operation OF the plurality rule, were about equal;
and this consideration doubtless had great weight
with those who, on Saturday, changed their position
and voted for this mode of bringing the struggle to
close. 1t was passed on Saturday morning by
nine majority, and provided that if 10 election was
effected on the three succeeding ballots, then that
the candidate receiving the highest number of votes
on the fourth ballot, should be declared Speaker of
the House.
The balotings commenced amid good deal of
ed by dense throng Of interested spectators The
three preliminary balotings followed each other in
quick succession. each with about the same result
Mr. Banks receiving l02 votes, Gov. Aiken SO, and
some twenty votes scattering. The excitement in
creased as the last and final balloting commenced
Some OF the 18th section national Know Nothngs
declined to vote when their names were called At
the close of the CALL several came forward to vote
and to assign their reasons for now supporting Gov
Aiken. Mr. VIM. Il. NTH, of Alabama, voted for
the distinguished South Carolinian under protest.
Col Paine hung back until the last moment. and
with evident reluctance voted for Gov. Aiken
Finally the result was announced to be-Banks lO3,
Aiken 100, and some scattering votes. The black
Republicans on the floor, and the mass of human
beings in the galleries, raised deafenng applause as
the committee experimenting the balloting declared
Mr.. Banks to have been elected
Here followed a scene of great confusion some
members declaring it demonstrations to elect by
plurality, that the Clerk and the gentlemen assisting
him had no authority to declare the result others
that if there was any doubt of the legality of the
election, it should be settled by the passage of res
oiuton declaratory Of the sense of the House. At
this point Gov. Aiken claimed the floor and asked
the permission Of the House to conduct Mr. Banks
as Speaker elect to the Chair. This manifestation
OF good feeling and liberality greeted by tumul.
tuous applause. Finally resolution was adopted
by large majority, declaring Mr. Banks to have
been duly elected. With the general appreciation
S. c., Mr.. Campbell of Ohio, and Mr.. Fuller of Penn,
a committee to inform Mr. Banks of his election and
to conduct him to the Chair. In few moments
the committee had discharged this duty, and were
observed escortng the Speaker down one of the
aisles towards the Speakers desk. Here he bowed
his acknowledgements to the committee, and then
to the House, and proceeded Immediately to deliver
a brief inaugural address, Upon it's conclusion, the
usual oath support the Constitution of the United
States administered by Mr.. Gidlngs, the oldest
cmber of the House, when the Speaker tonk his seat.
Had all the members who voted for Gov. Aiken
Friday supported him on Saturday, he would
have been elected. He had the benefit of one ad-
dltiona vote-that OF his colleague Mr. Boycc; but
four 18th section Know Nothings, Mr. Brown of
Penn, and MesSrs. Walk, Whitney and Bayard
Clark, o: New York, threw away their votes on Mr..
Fuller, in effect voting for Mr.. Banks. 1t is past
comprehension that grown men should deliberately
slultify themselves by backing out to-day from their
record of yesterday. Yet so it is. N,. Fuller, far
scAom Southern fnow Nothings lace roted for many
ballotings, lodged aohen the inal trial caae Four
black Republicans threw away their votes. Had
every man been compelled to vote, and to choose
between Banks and Aiken, incline to the opinion
that the former must have been elected by two
three majority. Nothing but dissensons among the
black Republicans themselves, prevented the same
result during the first week of the session.
Among those who threw away their votes on Mr.
Fuller contributing in reality the election of MIR.
Banks MIR. Henry Winter Davis one of the
Representatives from the City of Baltimore. 1t
seems remarkable indeed that City Of Southern
State, laying claim to Southern trade because of
identity of political interests, should select of
its Representatives, person who, in an emergency,
when the whole South were striving to defeat the
success of the abolition party, should desert South
ern interests, and aid, indirectly yet no less effect
ualiy, towards the election of sectional Speaker.
On the other hand two of the Representatives from
Philadelphia, City of Tree State, have stood by
the South and sustained national principles through
out. There are no truer men in Congress than Thos.
b. Florence and John Cadwallader-sound Demo-
Gratis who have struggled against abolition success
with no less earnest, than Southern Representa-
tives themselves The business of Baltimore
should understand that this desertion of Southern
interests at so critical period, is noticed by the
South, and may be remembered to their loss when
future claims are pressed for Southern trade.
Before the House adjourned on Saturday, reso-
luton was unanimously adopted, thanking Col John
w. Forney for the able and impartial manner in
which he had presided over its deliberations during
the protracted struggle for an election Of Speaker
Col. Forney's discharge of the difficult duties de-
volving upon him, has been most acceptable to the
House, and the compliment paid him is just trib-
ute to the success and impartaity with which they
have been administered
The House met to-day, when the members were
sworn in according to the requirements Of the Con-
stituton. An election was then held for Clerk, Gen.
Cullom, of Tenn, being chosen by considerable
majority, receiving the votes of the dark Republic
cans and Know Nothings; the Democrats voted for
Mr.. Banks, Editor of the Petersburg Daily Demo-
GRAFT. The remainder of the day was consumed in
drawing for seats. Tomorrow the other officers of
the House will probably be chosen, when an ad-
journment for two three days will follow, to give
the Speaker opportunity to arrange the standing
Committees.
MECKLENBURG.
The MEssAGE-The Wilmington Commercial thus