Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-02-01
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS.
WAsH1NGrok CRY, Jan. ~, 1860.

Days and weeks have passed away, and still the
anxious observer can discern no rift in the clouded
political sky, giving promise of an early organza
ton Of the House. All efforts to reconcile differences
and secure union Of the conservative elements
the House against the common enemy have proven
failures, and to-day the prospect Of electng pre-
siding officer is less encouraging than ever The
democratic members thoroughly convinced, after re-
peated trials, that unaded they can accomplish no
thing, have abandoned voting for regular nominee,
and are casting their votes at random until some
change manifests itself in the ranks of the South
Americans and anti-Lecomptonites to invite con-
centration of their strength on some member
There are many who think that Mr.. Bocock, who
can command the entire democratic vote, should
have been adhered to and never permitted to with
draw his name The democrats however in pursu-
ing this exhibited their readiness to yield
personal preferences and unite on any sound man
who could bring to his support more votes than
their regular nominee. When Mr.. Bocock
nominated there seemed general understanding
that the South Americans would cast their votes for
him. and thus secure a sound and competent pre-
siding officer the head of the fanatical nominee
of the republicans. But when his name was pre-
sented the American party bolted, assigning as
reason that their support of a caucus nominee of
the democratic party would be regarded as an aban-
donment of their party organization The demo-
crats anxious to organize the House. and willing to
make sacrifices to that end at once met this obec
ton and made clear the way by allowing Mr., b.
cock to withdraw his name Here then was offered
the opportunity which the Americans professedly
sought for acting with the democracy. Did they
avail themselves of it? The record proves they did
not After Mr.. Bocock's withdrawal, Mr.. Botcler,
member Of their oson party, nominated Mr.. Mill
son. and after repeated ballots it demonstrated
that he could not get half of the know nothing
vote Again this same party, so intractabe, exact
ing and insincere intimated that Mr.. Hamilton, of
Texas, would be acceptable to them 1t was thought
that as he was but little known, had no record
against him and was elected over the regular demo
cratic nominee in his district he would prove sure
card. The democrats yielded again, and were again
met by failure on the part Of the Americans to
support this gentleman. Mr.. Hamilton, although
gentleman of worth and ability, not the choice
of the democracy, who sought success with can
ddate who was, by experience eminently fitted to
discharge the complicated and difficult duties of the
Speakcrship satisfactorily; but they readily and
cheerfully supported him on the ground Of Graila-
bility when all other efforts had failed. And here
will remark, without any intention to disparage
Mr.. Hamilton reflect upon his fitness for this
post, that there are numbers of gentlemen whose
names appear prominently in connection with the
Speakcrshp whoare supported not for what they have
DONE but for what they have notnot that they occu
py elevated position in the House. and possess
manding influence, but they are little known, and
their political reputation being confined to their
districts, little be said against them The mega
tive man is now the most available, and that will
explain the prominent position of some members
who, but for this contest, would never have been
known to the country.
But to return to the state of affairs in the House.
Yesterday, Mr.. Hamilton, satisfied that he never
could be elected, formally withdrew his name and
the democrats not nominating member Of their
party gave scattering votes of which Bocock :ecev
cd "a. The know nothings having abandoned Mr..
Gilmer united upon Mr. Smith of N. c., and by the
aid of a few democrats ran up his vote to 81. Mr..
Smiths chances of success have been thoroughly
canvassed for the last ten days and his nomination
strongly urged by his party, who thought that he
was new member, had no record, and no political
asperities to smooth away, he would be available.
But how is his election to be compasscd, even giving
him the democratic vote? Itrcquircs 11S to elect;
of this number the republicans have IA, the demo-
Gratis 81, the know nothings "a, and the anti-I.e-
cOmpton-anti-A Administration men 5. To elect it
would be necessary to get the entire democratic and
know nothing vote and three of the antLecomp-
ties These three votes Mr.. Smith can nerer get, as
these men have been approached on the subject and
peremptorly refused their support 1t is plain then
that Mr. Smith is not auailabl his friends urged
he was-that if the whole vote of the democrats
were given him he would still lack three Of an cleo
ton This being the case, it is expecting quite too
much Of the democracy that they should go outside
their own organization to give mere compgimenta-
ry vote to any man. l see no promise of an end to
this struggle. The democrats have made concession
after concession without efecting anything; the
know nothings hold back and refuse to aid them,
while Thad. Stevens the mouth piece of the repub-
lcans, declares that they will adhere to Sherman
until the crack of DOOM"
In the Senate they have been discussing the reso-
pf Mr.
mittee to report bill for the protection Of each
State and Territory from invasion from other States
and Territories, and for the suppression and pun
shment of conspracies, &c. &C. The speech of
Mr.. Douglas on his bill is regarded as bid for the
votes OF southern men in the Charleston Con1en-
ton. The Republicans, who claimed him as con-
vert to their political faith, are nightly stirred by
the position he takes, and the whole hive arc swarm
ing about the little giant nicting some pretty Sc
we're stings. Wilson, of Massachusetts, has got off
his annual grafton, not, however, without dig in
the ribs fran Senators Clingman, and Davis of Mis-
sissipp of SO telling nature to require another
"oration" from Wilson, in an attempt to regain
what he had lost by the encounter.
Giddngs of Ohio, John Brown, Jr., Dr. Howe of
Boston, Sanborn of Connecticut Thad. Hyatt of
New York City, and others had been summoned be-
fore the Harpers Ferry investigating committee.
There is a very pretty quarrel going on Just now
between Wendal and Gen. Bowman, which will ul-
timately evolve some political scandal injurious to
all concerned. Wendall AYERS that he gave Bowman
the q pion" newspaper establishment, 500, 900, in
consideration of Bowman's securing and turning
over to him the Senate printing After Bowmans
election by the Senate he repudiated this alleged
bargain, and made arrangements with Jno G. Rives
to execute the work in the Globe office This arous-
ed the ire of Wendall and gave rise to difficulty
which is now to be settled by the courts A gov
eminent printing office should be established, and
then this source of corruption would be not only
removed, but the work executed at cost of about
one-half the rates now paid
would call the attention of your mercantile
readers to the last dodge of knavsh spectators on
the political condition of the times. Lists of Re-
publican and anti-Republican northern firms are be-
ing published for the avowed benefit of southern
purchasers, in order that in buying they may not
patronze an abolition house. These lists are unre-
TABLE, and l presume the most intense Heferite
c0uld nv liberal hrihipp ooci1y hovo h, ,,,oo -,