New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-17
FROM WASHINGTON.
From Oar Own Correspondent.


WASHINGTON, Jan. Is, 1870.
No Developments have yet been made beforctAs
Committee appointed to investigate the Harpefs
Very foray with which the public not already
familiar through the trials. In compiling ttese
facts, the design is TO present connected history
of the affair, 80 that it may be made available IN
the Presidential election.
Since all other expedients have failed, it 10 now
suggested that Speaker should be chosen BY bal
lot instead Of rira roce. This was the uniform
usage from the foundation Of the Government down
TO 1888 During the memorable contest between
Mr.. Bell and Mr.. Polk for the Speakerstip, tho
friends Of Gen. Jackson feared that some Of his
followers might prefer Mr. Bell who ran in opposi-
ton to the Administration, and the r:ra rors
vote was substituted as q mode. OF coercion,
with the expectation that the doubtful MEM
bers would not openly dare to resist ths
wishes of the President. The practice tber1nau-
gurated hasbeen followed since, but thereis no
good reason why it should be continued. The belief
d entertained that if the ballot should be adopted,
the House could be organized in q few days Tho
fact Is known that considerable interest on tho
other side really desire this deadlock relieved, who
have not the moral courage to confront the dictate
rial demands made by sef-cOnstituted leaders.
The pretext Of constitutional objections urged ~
Mr.. Miles and Others against the plurality, could net
be mooted upon a proposition which long expert
ence sanctioned, and which conforms exactly 70
the spirit of our institutions.
Intelligence here from the West represents that
the Democracy have suffered seriously BY the de-
yelopments and the Disunion sentiments OF tho
Southern managers since the meeting OF Congress.
In many places their organization has been boldly
rcpudiafed and in others they have gone over IN
numbers TO the Republicans. 1t is freely admitted
here by Democrats that one half of the seventeen
members from the West have probably lost their
seats by voting for Know Nothing candidates for
the Speakership, who were put up without any 70.
aar1 TO their wishes or embarrassments. Some OF
them have been careful enough TO avoid this blum
der, but still have suffered from contact with tns
fire-eaters, whose only policy IS rule or ruin.
There is no mode OF extricatiOn from this dilemma
now but manly recantation and withdrawal from
all such political connection. No bond of sympa-
thy or interest really unites the West 18th these
domineering Disunionsts There are members
from that section in the House who are only sepa-
rated from the Republicans by mere name. If
they would rise to the assertion of their sincere
convictions, even that trivial fOrmslity would NOS
separate them. They have the power in their
bands to decide this contest tor the Speakerphip.
and without any sacrifice of principle 1t is clear
that no Northern Democrat can command even the
solid vote OF bis own party. AMIR McClernand
hardly received third of it, because he was q.
known to be friend Of Judge Douglass.
Mr. Valandigham was cheapy cOmplimented.
only when he ayOwed himself substantially Pro- .
Slavery propaganda. And Mr.. Davis OF In
diana, after being used, was abused most con-
temptuOusly. This is the manner in which West
ern candidates have been treated. The party has
been compelled TO choose, or rather TO alternate,
between Nullifer and a Know Nothing ever SINCE
the voting began. Southern men only have polled
the full Democratic strength as the records VIII
prove Bocock, Millson, and Hamilton wterari-
atoms upon Boteler, Maynard, and other Alnsri-
cans, tell the whole story. Scott OF California is
Virginian, and may be included in the same cate
CORY.
Ihiss the entertainment with which the Western
Democracy have been welcomed here. No wonder
that some of them should scken Of it, and demand
other nourishment. They can retrieve. their posi-
ton easily, by insisting upon IN organization, etsef
in voting directly for Mr.. Sherman, or 10 reinan8
to vote at all il any complication would result from
the more direct course. When the Apti-lecoinPeocA
members of the last Congress took their response
bility and voted with u.s. agreed to sustain 'nss.
aud did return them 10 Congress wltnoet e1So,AS
aDy conditions II Western and Northern Usmo--
Gratis will couTageousy come ior"ni1 NV, Ss'u
contribute their patriotic efforts 10 ieSuAe Tao 1s-
unionsts and 10 arrest the ceau,''on % assTcny
which they have produced. 'na. seisice ""srs
nroneriy be recognized in the seifM way. MI.
p,gb 81 Alabama, in behalf of the1action wAich he
,.nrssents announced u few daya ago that if his
Win could prevail. he would "psrpetuate dscOrd'
barc. We desire to prevent it, and whoever coop
crates to that end will be entitled to full recogzi-
ron. No bargain is proposed In the face of Gay
w. proclaim, that order must he restored, that the
public creditors must be paid and thaf q preSani-
nary to BOTH the House must be organized. Every
liberal constituency win appreciate TIC mon who, at
. time like this, viii bsve the GrpIsss to reallze
their whole duty, aud spuraing party dictalion, TO
discharge il fsg the good of the country.