Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-01-25

synopsis of the passage between, our
distinguished friend the Hon. Bill Mont
gomery. and one or two his Western Penn
| sylvania colleagues. The telegraph didn't
begin to do justice to the sprightlinesz of
the occasion as the following verbatim
report IN the Congressional G'o6s= win
show.
Said Moorehend to William in answer
to some remarkzof Williams:
If 1 thought my constituents would meet
me with the scoru and Indignation with
which know that gentleman's constitu-
euts will meet him when he goes home,
would not go home atall. [Laughter.l No,
sir, would't go home at all. | know the
character of that gentleman's constituents;
1 am acquainted with his district; | am
connected with an important public work
running through it; and say, to use the
expression Of one of his own papers, lie
literally ate dirt to obtain the Republican
votes, and know lie cringed to the Re-
pubiicans to obtain their votes. I have
letters in my possession from q Republican
who edits paper in his district, TO show
that the Republicans believed that Mr..
Montgomery would act with them in organ
izing the House, and in every other ques-
ton in which the Republicans were inter-
crted. How has he answered the expcctn-
tions of those who elected him, who res
cued him from utter defeat? How has he
answered them?
Said William in reply:
SIr. Montgomery. was elected by three
thousand two hundred majority. | was
elected in 1856 by nearly u thousand ma
iority. New, this House can appreciate
the statement OF the gentleman, when he
Informs them that was in danger of de-
feat He says that | was-uSing very
offensive, a very low-bred term, worthy
entirely of the gentleman who used it
that ate dirt to get Republican votes.-
Now let me say, | never made Il speech
from The day was nominated to the day
was elected. Iappealed tothe Democratic
party for nomination, and was sustained
BY an overwhelming majority. had near
ly two utLousand votes of majority in
contest where the popular vote system
prevailed i'll the primary elcction?. ! car
ried three thousand three hundred votes in
my own county, where but about three
hundred persons voted against me. was
making no appeals to Republicans when |
was seeking the nomination of my own
party-none whatever. On the contrary,
the Republicans of my own county, after
my nomination. put up candidate, ana
gave their whole strength to him, and
fought me as bitterly us they ever opposed
me before. 1t is true that in other counties
the Republicans did not fully concur in
shat nominations; but he was run in the
other counties as the Republican nominee,
and received in each of them n large Re
publican vote, and had many warm Re-
publican friends. l made none but public
pledges which carry out 10 the letter.
will risk the contempt of my constitu-
ents if the gentleman will risk the wither-
ing scorn with which his betrayal of his
party, by his vote for an advocate of
slave code. will be received by his constit-
ucnts We will see who will suffer most
from scorn and contempt lhavedcccivcd
no man-bctrayed no principle. Can my
colleague say as much? Can he say that
his vote for :. STAKEHOLDER and an advocate
of 4 slave code, rs Speaker, is not q base
abandonment Of principle, and treason to
his party?
Mr.. M0Orhcad.-I would like to ask The
gentleman what appeals lie made to his
Republican colleagues upon this floor to
save him from defeat? What appeals did
he make while the canvass was pending,
to his Republican colleagues upon this
floor 10 save him from defeat on account of
his course upon the Lecompton bill?
Mr.. montgomery received no assist
ance from any of my Republican colleagues
in my canvass for nomination.
Here the passage between the two run
down into what Etheridgc would call
a very tame and unintcresting degree of
cross-firing, when Covodc, another Penn
sylyanian, stepped in, and took hand
thus
MIR. Covodc-I will Getain the House
but for two or three minutes, merely for
the purpose of putting myself right, ann
of refreshing the memory of my colleague
from the Washington district. What |
have to say, MIR. Clerk, is not new to
great many Republicans. Enough of
and the gcntlcman's constituents know it,
and blame me. TO some extent, for the part
which took in bringing out the Rcpubli-
can vote for Mr.. Montgomery.
Mr.. Clerk, let me say, and say distinctly,
that, at the request of my colleague, l
wrote Il letter to the leading Republicans
of his district, on pledges made to me by
him.
Mr.. Montg pledges?
Mr.. Covode-I will state the case. The
letter will show it-asking them to make
no nomination and to leave him the field.
He was our leader here Mt the time, in the
matter OF tie observation-disclosures
amendment to the Kansas hill. l did
write that letter to the gcntlcman's con-
stitucnts-the leading Republicans, he
gave me their names. That letter carried
round to the Pennsylvania delegation and
got their signatures to it, and sent it off;
and, TO some extent, am held responsible
for getting the Republican vote for him,
Ii has been cast up to INC repeatedly that
lent my influence to get the Republican
vote for my colleague, Mr.. Montgomery.
Is the case not plain? Have done any
Injustice tony colleague? was referred
to.
Mr. Montgomery will answer when
Won have done.