The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-08
THIRTY-sIXTH CONGRESS
First Session.
Monday, December 5, 1859.
SENATE.

Mr.. Thomson presented the credentials OF
John G. Ten Eyck, Senator elect from the State
of New Jersey, who, being present, was duly
qualified, and took his seat.
Mr.. Gwin presented the credentials of Henry
L. Haun, Senator elect from the State Of Cali.
tornla, who, being present, was duly qualified,
and took his seat
Mr.. Mason offered a resolution, authorizing
the appointment of a select committee to in
quire into the nature and copseauences to the
General Government of the recent capture OF
the U. S. Armory at Harper's Ferry laid over.
Mr.. Trumbull gave notice that he would
move to amend the resolution, by providing
also for the inquisition into the nature of the
recent capture of the Frankfort Arsenal, in the
State of Missouri.
The usual resolutions TO notify the House
and the President of the Senate's readiness for
business were adopted, and the body adjourned
HOUSE.
The members assembled on the floor some
time before noon, and the customary saluta
tons were exchanged, a pleasant excitement
prevailing everywhere. Among the members
was Mr.. Sickles of New York.
At noon, Mr.. Allen, the Clerk of the last
House, called the members to order. The din
of voices Immediately ceased, and the specta.
tors were excluded from the floor, whilst the
members TOOK their seats. 3
The roll was called, and two hundred and
thrty-one members answered to their names.
Those absent were Messrs Stallworth of Ala.
bama, Landrum of Louisiana, Brown and
Adams of Kentucky, Hindman and Rust of
Arkansas, and Hamilton of Texas.
The Election Of a iSpedker-On motion of
Mr.. Phelps, the House agreed to proceed TO
the election of Speaker Ui1d UOce.
Mr.. Hunter nominated Mr.. Phelps of Mo.
Mr.. Corwin nominated Mr.. Sherman of Ohio.
Mr.. Adrain nominated Mr.. Davis of Ia
Mr.. Haskin nominated Mr.. Hickman of Pa
Mr.. Stevens nominated Mr. Grow of Pa.
Mr.. Briggs nominated Mr.. Boteler of Va.
Numerous voices, impatiently. " Call the roll -
The Clerk appointed Messrs. Houston, Cor
win, Adrain, and Briggs, as telers.
Mr.. Florence said In listening to the call
of the roll, | noticed several members were
absent. In order to enable, them to participate
in the election, move we adjourn till to-mor-
row.
MIR. John Cochrane. | hope the gentleman
will withdraw the motion.
Mr.. Cobb. Let us have one vote Laughter /
The House took a vote on the motion by &C.
clamation, in the midst Of which, and the laugh
ter of the members, Mr.. Florence withdrew the
motion, and the House proceeded to vote cird
COce.
The First POte.-The result, as announced
by the tellers, was as follows Sherman of Ohio,
(Republican,) 6G; Bocoek Of Virginia, Demo
erat,) sc Grow Of Pennsylvania, Republican
43 Boteler of Virginia, (Ssuthern Opposition,
IA Davis, 2 Phelps, l f; Gilmer, 3 Nelson, )
Corwin, l.; Adrain, ?; Hill, ] Hickman, l Pen
nington, (; II. Clark, / Mcqueen, /.
None having received a majority of the votes,
Mr. Grow said GAS / desire in no way to re-
| tard the organization Of the House, | withdraw
my name as a candidate. ] assure those gen
tlemen who in their kindness have cast their
votes for me, that | shall treasure through life
so distinguished mark of their friendship and
regard"
Mr.. Burnett moved an adjournment, which
was determined by yeas and nays in the mega
tive.
Mr.. Clark, of Missouri, offered resolution
that none who endorsed Helpers book are fit
to be Speaker of the House.
Mr.. Clark, Of Missouri, wished to make some
remarks on the question before the House.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, interposed point
of order.
Mr.. Garnett contended that Mr.. Clark had a
right to show why some of the candidates should
not be elected.
Mr.. Clark argued that, ulder the Constitution,
he had a right to speak.
the clause: use '' The 40 'iA'''@r to rHini out
There was much confusion, some gentlemen
wishing to adjourn, and others calling for an
other vote.
After further proceedings Mr.. Clark offered
the following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas certain members of this House,
now in nomination for Speaker, did endorse
and recommend a certain book, hereinafter
mentioned, therefore,
10 IL To- al
contained in the book, The Impending Crisis
of the South, prepared or written by H. r.
Helper, are insurrectionary and hostile to the
domestic peace and tranquility of the country.
" ReSolUed, That no member Of this House
who has recommended it or the compend Of
the same is fit to be Speaker of this House
This resolution, on the reading of it, was APP
pauded by some of the Southern members.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pa, said that, in the present
condition of the House, Blu. two things could be
in order, namely: one to proceed to VOTE and
the other to adjourn.
Mr.. Clark, however, mace few remarks in
support of his doctrines.
Mr.. Stanton saw no gooo to be accomplished
by debate at this time, and therefore moved to
adjourn, Mr.. Clark yielding the floor for that
purpose.
The question was decided in the negative
yeas ll3, nays ll5.
Mr.. Vallandigham, in voting aye, said that
four members of his 1.-THE Democratic) party
were absent and three might be here to-mor-
row.
Mr.. Clark resumed his remarks, saying that
in other days Wings and Democrats were elect
ed to the Speakership, but no such atrocious
sentiments as were contained in Helpers book
had been presented to the country as a rule of
action for any party - treason, instruction,
murder.
Messrs. Kilgore and C. B. Cochrane distinct
ly avOwed that they endorsed no such senti-
ments
Mr. Clark was glad that these gentlemen felt
the :" wrath to come" Laughter.
Mr.. Farnsworth said, that with view of
better understanding, the work should be read.
He recommended the literature of the book.
There was demand for free discussion by
several members, and for time the proceed
ings were very lively, but good natured.
Mr.. Kellogg was not prepared to say whether
he signed the circular or not, as the gentle
mans authority 1.-THE New York Herald was
not good.
Mr.. Clark Nor any other good paper.
Some gentleman from New York said it
would be better to have full discussion. Our
friends, he said, on the other side, having thrust
the negro before the House, we may as well
finish the discussion, and turn him out as quick
as possible.
The House then adjourned.
The Maryland delegation voted as follows
Messrs. Stewart, Kunkel, and Hughes, for Mr..
Bocock and Messrs Davis and Harris for Mr..
Gilmer; Mr. Webster voted for Mr.. Boteler.
Tuesday, December 6, 1859.
SENATE.
The Senate took up the resolution Of Mr..
Mason in reference TO the Harner's Ferry aE