Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-01-25
Congress-NO Speaker Yet.

OOuSIcSS-NV CpC0ECI ACss
Some days have elapsed since vote was taken in
the House for Speaker. The discussion continues,
mainly on the slavery question.
On the 18th it became apparent from the debate,
that number of Democratic members had firmly
determined to resist by all parliamentary means to
the last extremity the adoption of the plurality rule
Mr.. Branch and Mr.. Wnslow, of this State, both
declared that they had reason to know that this de-
termination had been formed and would be carried
out. We think these gentlemen arc right. We
trust they will resist to the utmost all attempts to
organize the House by an abolition minority, for
that is what the proposition to adopt the plurality
rule unquestionably means
On the same day that miserable traitor, Hickman
of Pennsylvania. undertook to lecture the Demo
cratic side of the House for the delay in the election
of Speaker, and to charge that the Northern Demo-
cratic members under the control of their South
ern associates. He was replied to by Mr. McClen
nard of Illinois, and Mr.. Pryor, of Virginia, with
much force and eloquence. They placed Hickman
on the pillory of public indignation, and exposed
him in all his dcformities to the gaze of the House
and the country Hickman covered and subsidized.
stated that he would never consent to vote on the
plurality rule; whereupon
''Mr Colfax. Will you allow the Clerk to put the
question: aye or no?
Mr.. Clark. I will resist it by every expcdent
known to the laws of the land I mean what say.
Mr.. Stevenson of Kentucky, Oem.,) inquired
whether Mr.. Seward did not recommend the Helper
book, and whether Mr.. Seward was the gcntleman's
candidate for the Presidency
Mr.. Colfax was understood to say he did not know
whether it would be Mr. Seward or anybody else.
Mr.. Stevenson asked whether if the Republicans
should nominate indorser of the Helper book, he
would not receive the support of that party?
Mr.. Collax Unquestionably he will.
Mr.. Stevenson. Then you become an indorser Of
the Helper book"
We repeat that it is in the power of the South
American members, if they vii! vote with the DEM
ocrats to put any conservative man ahead Of Sher-
man. By putting such man ahead of Sherman
they will compel enough anti -Lecompton Democrats
to come to his support to defeat Sherman These
anti-Lecompton Democratic members were elected
by Democratic constituencies, who are with the ad-
mnistration of Mr.. Buchanan on all questions ex-
ccpt his Lecompton policy; and these members
know that their constituents would prefer sound
national man for Speaker to the black Republican,
Sherman. Theys will not dare, when the question
is fully and finally presented to vote for Sherman.
The feeling in their Districts is much stronger against
Seward and his "irrepresslble conflict" than it is
against Mr.. Buchanan. But the South Americans
hold off-Mr Gilmer holds off.-and the result is
these members are not brought to the test.
Democrats are called upon to vote for Mr. Gilmer
for Speaker, and yet Mr.. Gimcr has not thus far
voted the first time for Democrat In the CLASH
cal language of contemporary Of the Register,
what mingled impudence and nonsenser'
See the letter of our Washington correspondent
WAsuINGToN Jan. 90
HousE.-Various personal explanations were made
in the House to-day. Mr.. Pryor spoke of the New
York HeraHs structures on his public conduct He
characterized Bennett a wretch who bears on his
back the scars of many merted chastisements, and
as having heart tainted with every conceivable
contaminaton-as miscreant consenting to the dis
honor of his own family-as foul and filthy crea-
ture, &c.
Mr. Sherman asked Mr. Clark, of Missouri, to
withdraw his ant-Helpcr resolution, in order that
he might have an opportunity to make explanations.
Mr. Clark refused, saying that Mr. Sherman had a
sufficient opportunity to do so.
Mr.. Hlndnan, Ark, said that he never heard of a
defendant in court asking the indictment to be with
| drawn in order that he might explain his past
! course.
| Mr. Sherman refused to make any answers to va
rious questions propounded to him unless Mr. Clarks
| resolution was withdrawn.
Adjourned to Monday.