The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-01-31

In the House Of Representatives, on Fri
day afternoon, after motion had passed
that when the House adjourn. it adjourn to
meet on Monday next. Mr. Pennington, of
New Jersey, said
Mr.. Clerk, | desire TO say word in
relation to the organization of the House,
and On that subject alone for | must be
permitted to say that am among the num-
Der of those who believe that all discussion,
aside from the main question, is against
the spirit and meaning Of the Parliamentary
law as t certainly is Of no practical utility.
There Is 80 question before the House on
which a vote On any Of tie great matters
involved III the debates can be taken. Be
sides, il must strike the common sense OF
every man in the country that the idea Of
two hundred and thirty seven members as
sembling here and rushing at once into a
discussion of all things on the earth and
under the earth. ;aughtcr, of things visible
and invisible, of things true and untrue, with
out a head to the body. without the men,
berS being sworn, and without one step be-
ing reached toward an organization, is a
most extraordinary and cxtravagant course
OF procedure,
IIow can the House he organized (!
| There are four distinct party organizations
in it; and say for them all. that we have
no right TO blame one another for our votes
here. Our constituents may do so. but We
have no right to say to a gentleman Of the
South American party, Y ou shall vote SO )
or to a gentleman Of the Anti, Lecompton
party, You shall vote So We have all OF
us a right to vote as We have mind to,
without being called in question by one
another upon this floor. [ do not know
that any one party is more to blame than
another Each is tenacious of his own
Great efforts have been made in this House,
and we learn that great efforts have also
been made IN caucus out OF it, TO make COM
binations to create majority. This is all
lawful and proper, but 1t has failed Ii
must be apparent to all that no such result
can he produced.
Il have been sitting here from FIVE to
SIX weeks, and more wearlsome or profit
less time never remember to have passed
Not that much has not been said, and some
thing well; but all to no purpose. 1t car
, accomplish nothing. We have been SOW
inc to the wind, and have come once ol
: twice very near reaping the whlrlwlnd
Now, sir, the country demands an organlza
ton Of the House, and that we proceed t
!, the business we are sent here to accomplish
No candidate can get a majority tha
. seems clear. We are bound, then, in
sist, having made every effort to elect by
majority, to adop; the plurality rule an,
: that party who will not join in that risk, o
! object to the resolution for such a rule. ar
. responsible to the country, and should b
!; 50 held. IN my humble judgement, for No
: organizing the House. II has been said b
/ some gentlemen on tie other side of th
House, and | remember particularly it I
10 have been so said by the gentleman fror
: South Carolina, Nr Miles that the pit
: rality rule was unconstitutional. Let I
I look at the point he made The languas
If the Constitution on this subject is en-
? braced in few words:
: The House of Representatives, sha
choose their Speaker aud other officers.
Z This is all the provision. How the
shall choose them is left to their discretio
10 You may vote ballot, or rira roce, or yc
% may establish the plurality rule. But II
- gentleman referred to contends that II
words '' the House of Representatives il
- plies a majority hut does it not imply
o. great deal more in the connection in whit
p it is there used-does it no, imply not o
es ly najoity, but the entire HouSe-eve
l, member 7, aud if so, it covers too mu
p ground for the argument Of the gentlema
But, sir, these questions should receive
IS settled construction, and no, forever rema
. as vexed and disputed points. Two ca:
y are before Us Of recent date, one on ca
O. side Of the great political parties Of the cor
le try, that should place it at rest. Mr.. Col
e5 on the Democratic side, was elected Spes
er by the plurality rule, and Mr.. Ban
5 on the Opposition side, was elected Spe;
20 er by the same rule. These gentleu
: acted throughout their respective teri