The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-09-28

by the election of a Democratic Clerk. Does
any unpreiudiced mind doubt, that there was
any understanding, of the exact nature / have
intimated? How happened it that Mr.. Swift
voted for Mr.. Blake, and how happened it that
Mr.. Blake voted for Mr.. Knapp for Clerk
Mr.. Blake, the very individual who had most
Unexpectedly denounced that Clerk and pro-
nounced him unworthy of trust! Not all the
tortures of the inquisition could have drawn
from me this exposure of what passed before
your election to that Chair; but the perfdy ex-
hibited here this morning, is my warrant and
my apology for what l shall now state.
On Thursday morning of last weeks private
interview was obtained by you, Mr.. Speaker,
at my room at the American Hotel, unexpcct-
ed, and unsolicited by me. You commenced
about an organization, stated what you were
willing to concede, and desired me to see Mr..
Swift. In the afternoon of the same day, be-
ing confined to my room by illness, the Sena-
tor from Medina again called, and held q long
interview with me.
Tho Speaker: did not the Senator from
Cuyahoga, previously come over to my seat
and ask if would act in a certain manner If
| was elected Speaker, and did I not emphat-
ically refuse thus to act?
Mr.. Payne. l asked you a question at your
seat and you made a quick reply, a hasty ex-
PLANTATION, and l turned on my heel and thought
no more of it.
The Speaker. Are you sure I made the
Mr.. Payne. It might have been myself;
subsequently, however, you came unexpected
and unsolicited to my room, and said you
wished to explain your reply to me in the
Senate. You said there were those around
YOU there before whom it would not do to
speak freely.
The Speaker. Is my name there? 1 refus-
ed to sign that paper.
Mr.. Payne. I will come to that presently.
The Senator from Medina said he would not
sign that paper because Mr.. Brown in Congress
had got into the papers and a bad position by
signing such an agreement. But the Senator
} from Medina did pledge his sacred word of
honor that he would, if elected Speaker, carry
out the understanding.
The Speaker. Did l not-will the Senator
allow me q?
Mr.. Payne. Certainly, Sir. God knows 1
would not place any obstacle in the way of
your exculpation. If there is a single syllable
that will p~alliate your conduct and help save
your blasted reputation 1 will give you the need
ed benefit of it.
Your word and your honor were pledged to
carry out the understanding of this memoran-
dunn
1 complied with your request and handed
the paper to Mr.. Swift the same evening and
communicated the substance of our converse
ton. The same evening [ received a note from
Mr.. Swift, desiring me to meet you at Mr.
Hamlin's room the next morning.
Now, sir, when we met at Mr.. Hamlin's
room the next morning, you objected to the
word ~"recognized" in that memorandum, on
account of the position you had previously ia
ken in debate. In this memorandum the
words NJ Blake used where the Speaker is
alluded to, you objected to being aoritten there
but if any body, whig or democrat, believes
that Mr.. Blake would have made this arrange
ment with the expectation or possibility that an
other "Free Soiler" would be elected Speaker
of this Senate, they do not know Harrison G..
Blake as I mow know him.
Then you objected to the word recognized"
in the first paper, and accordingly turned to
his table to do so. I then said to you that 1
understand you to pledge your word and honor
, not to recognize Mr.. Broadwell until such final
decision by the Senate. To which you replied
most certainly you would not. You were then
} asked what you would do if the question of
Mr.. Broadwcll's rights was raised. You re-
! piled that it would not be raised, because Mr..
Dennison and others on the whig side perfectly
well understood your position, and if they did
raise it you would vote it down. When Mr..
Hamlin had finished the memorandum he read
it. You then took it up and read it yourself
pledged your word and honor to carry it out
desired Mr.. Hamlin to witness it-show it to
Mr.. Swift, then retain it until performed and
afterwards destroy it.
TSee memorandum in Swift's Speech
You also said that if you came into that
Chair, you were perfectly content that we
should put over this matter till the next ses-
sion, provided we would not require your vote
to do it. No misunderstanding here, sir. 1
told you in so many words, that Mr.. Broadwell
was in no shape or manner, to be recognized
here, and to this you readily and entirely as
scented, and Gas 1 then believed) as an honest
man. Mr.. Swift had no futher conversation
with you. 1 now ask Mr.. Swift.
Mr.. Swift. 1t is as you say. CA profound
sensation throughout the Senate Chamber.)
l can further state, that when 1 called at your
room in the morning, just before the Senate
went in was requested by yourself and Mr..
Byers, in behalf of the Democratic Senators,
not to carry the arrangement into effect that
morning. L replied that I would do it. I
knew that some Democratic Senators doubted
your honor, Mr.. Speaker, but 1 had confidence
in your integrity. l WAS MISTAKEN
Immense applause, followed by considerable
confusion.)
Mr.. Payne. It is clear that the only condi-
ton upon which Mr.. Swift voted for you. Sir,
was that you should recognize Mr.. johnson in
his seat as the Senator from Hamilton County
until the final trial. And there are facts that
1 could mention that would lower you in the
estimation of the other side even. One thing
moro I will state. The Senator from asMedina
said that the Senator from Franklin and 9TH
ers perfectly well knew the course he should
pursue, he had told them what he would do
Mr.. Blake stated in my room distinctly that
he should recognize johnson and said it was
distinctly understood on the other side that he
would do so. Here then is the fact.
1 have to do with the representations and
false inducements by which you gained your
elevation to the Speakers chair. Without
those solemn pledges you well know you could
never have received the vote of the Senator
from Summit-he would as soon have voted for
a serpent. And now, that plighted faith and
honor you have broken-without excuse, or