Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-12-10


". are very mech afraid that the House of Re-
pr.,sa,asives 10 about 10 repeat is discredisable
eoadaes four ysars ago. with regard ~ the Speak
srship. Then, A. nov. there were three parties IN
The House -nei.her sufficiently strong to elect
Speaker without help There was no disposition
10 oonrromise By either Of the two strong
psrties. The consequences was. the House rrma'"-
al unorean;xed for two entirs months. The inter
val between the ballots was 6llcd up with, noisy
aecl.rstion. political hannzues, and silly cross
..es,;ouin. Of each other among the members.
The same state Of things exists now. and The
members have commeuosd following up the same
programme. Congress baa been in session four
days, and bat TWO ballots fsr Speaker have yet
been taken! T~o daysof the four have betn con-
sun,ed entirely in speeches. and In sectional jow'
erings between the Northern and Southern mem
bsrs.
Mr.. Clark's resolution, which has given rise to
all the debate. 10 very proper one. and ought to
be raised. Il simply declares that no member ot
Congress who has endorsed tho atrocious senti-
ments Of Helpers Book. ought to be elected Spca-
ker Why not pasa the resolution at once, without
this incessant gabblo over it! IL any member Of
Congress silly enough to believe that single
vote would be changed, II they were to discuss tho
subject from now till doomsdayf
The resolution could DO passed at any moment.
If every Black Republican voted against it, land
there are many Of them who would be afraid to
do col there would still be secure majority of
fifteen or twenty in favor Of the resolution
In the presen. state Of parties in the House.
there are bu, two modes by which Speaker can
be elec,ed-by q combination, or hy the adoption
Of the plurality rule. The plurality rule gives
the Speaker necessarily. to the Black Republi-
cans. And eommou sense. no lcss than the expe-
rience Of the past. teaches Us that combination
becomes more and more difbeuls Of formation. the
longer the contest il pro,faetsd.
Obviously, then, ualsss Speaker he elected at
once. there is danger that there will be greater
difficulty sbou, it than the ease four years n:o.
For there il much more excitement now than
then-much more rnncor and bitterness 81 pol,h-
cal hostility. The Southern members are cxas.
perased BY the Hsrpsrs Ferry invasion, ms well
a. By the endorsement of Helpers Book by tho
Black Republicans. These two things constitute
the fuel which feeds the fame Of debate - aad un.
lees the discussion be rested a. once tho excite.
nent will increase until We shall have not only +
40 Speaker, but, perhaps. not epen Congrcssi 4
We have never known much bad blood shown, I
and as much aectioual bitterness evolved in tho
same space Of time. rs has been done during The
flrst four days OF the prcscn, Congress, in both
Houses.
Important interests. too, are awaiting Congress
ional action . Tho Post OHhce Department has
been conducted credit for several months. and
needs relief. Other objects urgently demand the
speedy attention Of Congress. Shall beggarly
contest about the spoils of the House organization
serve as an excuse for dnngerou, sectional usi,a-
ton. at tho same timo that il obstrucis aud inn
pedes the legitimate business Of legislation? We
trust not. Let there DO compromise Of some
sort, and let us avoid. il possible, the dsgracefu
spectacle which the House Of Representatives pre-.
sented four years ago.