Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-01-27
The Wrangle for Speaker,

and our Congress remains but little bet
ter than a tumultuous, unorgasised mob,
and from all we can learn there IS no
more prospect now of this senseless strife
about a Speaker being closed than there
was month ago. 1t is now more than
seven weeks since Congress met; no le'
zislation or any public business has been
done; the whole time has been wasted in
a hitherto vain attempt to organise the
House by choosing Speaker. Had our
Representatives been disposed to smuse
themselves for few hours, or even for a |
day or two, in practicing this tom-foolery, !
though we might have regretted itas i'm
proper and undignifed in so grave an
assembly as the Congress Of the United
States, yet it might have passed OIL with
out exciting other feelings than mirth or
shame. But the long continuance Of this
strife begins to excite more grave emo
tions and more serious approximations,
and demands rebuke from an indignant
nation.
The time Of the sessions Of the House
has been wasted in trihing debate, in dis
cussing the merits of Helpers book, or
in personal recriminations which would
disgrace bar room, and would never he
allowed in any decentIy constituted March
meeting. When is this to end? What
viii 1t result inn If the House in SO
long time have not been able TO choose
Speaker, when win they elect one and
proceed to their proper business? Mean
while the public interests suffer; credit
ors are delayed in receiving their just
dues, and it would seem to be impossible
for the mails to be continued much longer
unless the appropriations for the post
office are granted, which ought 10 have
been made last session. Many new laws
need to be enacted, and many important
subjects affecting the public interest:
should be discussed, but all are neglect tee
for their crazy clamor about matters o
comparatively little or no importance
If Congress should be organised to-day
we should still suffer many incongenien
ees.
Tire public business has been delayed
and at the close of the session we shall
ind that many important bills have no
been passed under the pretence that Con
gress have not had time to attend to then
and many crude and imperfect acts vii
be hurried through the forms Of legisla
ton, and enacted without proper attentio
or discussion.
It may perhaps seem inyidious in U
20 attach blame TO any one Of the partie
IN the present unfortunate wranglr, nor
than to another, but we think We ca
safely assert that the Republicans are Il
least liable TO censure Of any, and furthe
that they stand forth exhonorated fro
all blame. They have thrown no fir
brands into the ranks Of their opponen
for the sake of provoking their wratl
challenged no one to debate any Of Il
exciting issues before the country, al
only in two or three instances have tht
taken up the glove which has a thousar
times been insultingly cast at their fe
by a slaye-trammeled democracy, and
these instances they we're forced to d
eept the challenge in consequence of
unueasured abuse which has been heap
upon them. The democracy, on the &C
irary, have persisted in disorganising
House from the first moment Of the s,
sion till now. 1t cannot, TO be sure,
expected that they will vote for Mr.. Sh,
man, the Republican candidate, for Il
would be asking for our candidate wi
we would not be willing to accord to the
in like circumstance. There is q vi
however, in which they can let the Hol
be organised, be consistent, still be true
their party, and save tender democra
"bonor" from receiving a mortal wou
that is to vote for the adoption Of the P
rality rule, which would seem to every
iional mind eminently justproper, and
very thing to end all dispute, harmon
the conflicting elements,secure a SPEAK
and thus let the wheels of governm
roll on in the good old way. But I
contamination so deyoutly 10 be wis
tor" they declare they will never sub
to, and one gentleman has proclaimed
before he will vote for the plurality r
he will stay there and ballot until
fourth OF March. 1861. In view of ii
facts, then, can the Republicans DO au
else than to stand up like a band Of br,
era, as they have thus far, and vote
Mr. Sherman, it need be, till the " or
OF doom?"
But what will be the result, if