Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-01-11
GREss
XXXVI C0NGRESS-FIRsr SESSION.

NGREssI NAL.
XxXVI CONGREss-PIRsr SESSION.
WASHINGTON. Jan. A.
H0USE.-Mr. Morris. Of Ill. offered
resolution which was read for information
that the Superintendent Of Public Build
ings be directed to replace the desks an,
chairs as they we're in this hall previou
to their removal: and to enable him TO d,
so he be directed to prepare the old bal
for temporary occupancy. He said b
would not call up the resolution this NOR
ming. a-
Mr.. Bingham and others objected.
Mr.. Montgomery said Mr.. Colfax yester
day attacked his former proposition for
temporary organization on the ground o
a violation of the Constitution. He hae
offered it 10 good faith. We are indebted
to the mail contractors 81 10000. It /,
an honest debt, honestly contracted for ser
vice honestly performed. II is not sr
American. Democratic or Republican debt
but Nations debt. Adop, his resolu
tion and they could pass the P. o. Arnro
P,iarion bill. and redeem the credit Of N.
nation.
Mr.. Wilson said If the gentleman va,
anxious to pay the debt. he would ask hia
to adept the plurality rule.
Nov. Mr.. Montgomery replied. il he va,
willing to accept it others were unwilling
to Go so. If three-fourths were willing I,
accept and the other fourth protest agains
II. an organisation cannot be rffrciei; no
if ten men protested. His propo.iiion v 4
fair. honest and just. He insisted that i
wa Constitutional, aid he referred to ou
past Legislative history to show the prec.
dent in such cases. ,-.-s
Mr. Stevens asked whether his collragu,
could show that before an organ . ,tIon,
SPEAKER pro TEN had been elected.
Mr.. Montgomery replied thai in ls39-l(
Mr.. Adams was elected Chairman. g
hr. Stevens-Was Mr. Adams Sprake,
Mr.. Montgomery considered him sucL
Mr.. Corwiu. would be to-day temporary
Speaker If the House would adopt his re
solution.
Mr.. Morris. of Pa, asked whether ther.
was any legislation W bile Mr.. Adams va,
Chairmani
Mr.. Montgomery had not examined th.
records to see, but if there was no legisla
tion that did not prove there could no
have been. lie renewed his resolution.
Mr.. Stevens raised the point that the re
solution was not in order; that previous t.
entering on The business the action of Con
gr.ss required that the oath shall be ad
ministered 10 the Speaker, and by him ts
the Clerk and all the members: and tha
no resolution Of this body can repeal th'
act. The proposition now offered is there
fore an absurdity. The cases referred I,
by Mr.. Montgomery were not spplicabl,
to this proposition.
Here the matter rested.
Mr.. McRea resumed his remarks from
yesterday. insisting that the Representa-
tives disregarded the obligations of ih
Constitution. and invade not only tn
right of the people but the reserved right
Of the States. Their candidate for Speak
er had not said that the doctrines of th,
Helper book are reasonable. The fac
that there are men who will not respec
Constitutional obligations, is one of tn,
startling features of the times, and hq
raised intense feeling in the Southern
States. All patriotic men should come to
gether, rising above their ordinary preju
dices on transient questions. and meet tn
common enemy, whose success would in
crease the danger to tie prosperity of th
confederacy.
Mr.. Wells remarked that be was mne
pleased with the remarks of Mr.. McRas
who said he was fair man, and believe
he liked to see fair play in this pugilisti
ring. for it could not be called by muc
better name. There was nothing like fsi
play. He was perfectly satisfied that tn
policy which seems to have been adopte
by the Republicans has been continue
from the other side from the commence
mens of this contest He did not rise I
make speech but simply to ask the qne'
tion. How was the House to be organized
Was there any party able to do SO with
majority? Itwss we'll known that no SIC
party exists. In one Of two ways onl
can an organic alton be effected. II ".
known that the Republicans had polie
their entire vote. and that the South Am.
ricans and Democrats cannot unite on an
one. They ere as radically opposed I
"ne another as they are jaintlv to the r.
publicans. The House can be organic
only by the voluntary withdrawsl Of ger
tlemsn acting " ith The Americans or Den
ocrats. or By the adoption OF the plursli
rule. IL was said that some gentlemr
would oppose it, but he said. g-ntlenn.r
do hot talk any more on the general prir
ciples Of the American, Republican or D,
mocraiic party. but act like men. and vo
till the House comes to some conclusion
He was here to work and vote, and eve
when the turkey was b OF he did not mea
to 90 to dinner, IL he could help it. {
was willing to stay here till tomorrow
cock crew to elect Speaker.
There was a call Of the House, prelim
nsry TO vote for Speaker.
, John cochrane said there was still q
gentleman onthe Democratic side abseu
owing to sickness, who hail not paired I"
i He had been sent for. He trusted gentl
D men on the other side weuld see how pr
per it ~as to make pair for that gent
= man.
: Cries from the Republican side of"Ne
: No"
Mr.. Cochrane said the action Of the y
y publican side. then, forced him to make
!: dilatory motion, aRd that was TO adjoul
The yeas and nays were demanded