Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-01-19

and thus made an honest effort to organ
ize. 50
Mr.. Hatton, Of Tennessee, proceeded 10
show that the, Democrats and Southern
Oppositionists united, could not have elect
ed a Speaker against Mr.. Sherman. There
was way by which the latter could be de-
feated, and that was for both 10 unite on
Mr.. Gilmer, who could secure the support
of other gentlement.
Mr.. Etheridge, of Tennessee, made an
explanation as to the resolutions passed by
the Tennessee Legislature in regard to the
Speakership. Some of the Democrats OF
that body hated him, and he loathed and
despised them, He would not be govern
ed by their request. He said, as modest
man, that all parties in his district had ten
fold more respect for his Judgment as to
doing what is right then for the gentleman
who offered those resolutions.
Mr.. Hatton resumed, noticing some of
the difficulties in the way of the Southern
Democrats giving thir support to Mr.. Gil
mer. In reviewing the action of the DEM
ocratic caucus. he said that no indication
was there given of a disposition 10 vote
with the Americans for Speaker. On the
contrary, they would not unite on the
American nominee for fear of an utter dis
ruption of their party at home.
Mr.. Reagan, of Texas, remarked that the
caucus adjourned without any action.
Other explanations were made.
Mr.. Branch, of North Carolina: said in
that caucus his object was to pave the way
for an organization, that the Americans
might select a nominee from among the
Democrats.
Mr. Hatton said the American party had
been widely vilifed by the party press of
Washington. 1t was national, for the
Union and the enforcement of the laws.
During the proceedings, Mr.. Barksdale
inquired why Mr.. Hatton did not join the
Democratic party and resist the aggression
of the Republicans, and cease his guerilla
warfare on the Democrats.
Mr.. Hatton replied that during his can
vass he said the man that took higher
ground than he did be had never met, and
had added, if one such could be found in
his travels he would give him an open
track.
Mr.. Barksdale inquired whether Mr..
Hatton had yet voted for Democratic
nominee for Speaker, or for any save
member of the American party.
Mr.. Hatton replied that there was new
er time when his vote would have elected
a Democrat. But there was time when
the votes of the Democrats claiming, par
excellence, to be defenders of the rights of
the South, could have triumphed over Mr..
Sherman and elected Mr.. Gilmer, South
ern man.
Mr.. Barksdale-A Southern man &C
ceptable to a portion of of the Black Re
publcans. a-=
Mr.. ..Hatton repeated that they could
have elected Southern man and conclu-
ded his speech.
Mr. Barksdale remarked that be would
never vote for Mr.. Gilmer-
Mr Pennington, of New Jersey, said
the debate was certainly of impractical
utility. Gentlemen have no right to
blame one another for the votes they had
given. Their constituents might, however
do SO. The country demands an orgaDi-
zation and that the House proceed to the
business for which the gentlemen were sent
here. 1t was certain that no man can get
a majority. The House must then adopt
the plurality rule, and those who will not
vote for it will be responsible to the ooun-
try for non-organization.
Gentlemen had spoken against the plu-
ialiry rule as unconstitutional; but were
not Mr.. Cobb and Mr. Banks elected under
plurality rule9 There was no pretence
that their acts were, in consequence, void.
The country has recognised them. In con-
clusion, he offered a plurality resolution,
which declared that the House now proceed
to vote, and if no election, selection be
made on Monday from the two highest
candidates.
Messrs. Barksdale, Clark, of Missouri,
Leake, and Others, objected.
Mr.. Washburn, of Maine, suggested that
Mr.. Pennington move the previous ques-
tion.
Mr.. Leake contended that the resolution
was only read for information.
Mr.. Staunton suggested that Mr.. Leake
could not make his point Of order until Mr.
Pennington had yielded the floor.
Several gentlemen rapidly discussed the
points of order raised for and against Mr..
Pennington's right TO move vote on the
resolution.
Mr.. Winslow suggested that there should
be time given for refectieD, and moved
that the House adjourn.
Mr.. Pennington wanted TO krow wheth-
er he had not the right to callfor the pre-
vious question on his resolution.
The Clerk replied that point of order
had been; raised by Mr.. Leake, which must
first be settled.
Mr. Leake contended that Mr.. Penning-
nington's resolution was read only for in
and he could not have it acted
on until the three propositions already
pending were disposed of, one of those Of
a similar purport having been offered by
Beau Hickman. Laughter.
Hr. Hickman of Pennsylvania, Mt n SUBJ
sequent period, suggested that this discus
sion could do no good, and said it was ev-
ident that there could be no vote on Mr..
Pennington's resolution, or any other, for
the gentleman could raise points of order,
and discuss them indefinitely. Regarding
the subject in this light, and having the
declaration on the Democratic sida that |