Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-01-25
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS.
WASHINGTON, CRY, Jan. 13,


change in the temper of the House. indicating a
speedy termination of the protracted struggle for
the Speakership. Bocock and Mson, two Demo-
Gratis, less obnoxious perhaps to the South Ameri-
cans and ntiLecomptonites than any others in the
House have been repeatedly voted for until it
clear that neither could secure an election; and it
now appears that Notwithstanding Hamilton's flat
terng vote his prospect If an election is not whit
more promising. There are a few stubborn men in
the House-hard-heade impracticables who stand
IN the way of an organization and render abOrtive
every effort made by the conservatives of that body
to end this disgusting strife. But while these OBJ
structionsts evince such perverse determinations
reject ali overtures to compromise which shall end
this struggle, they exhibit a ready and remarkable
willingness and aptitude to foment disorder and be
get disgraceful rows.
Yesterday scene of the most disgraceful type
occurred in the hall of the House, deserving the
most indignant reprObaton and cenSure of every
good citizen. few days ago private conference
was had by gentlemen representing the three organ
zations in the House, in order to confer together
and devise some means to perfect an organization
The Democrats were represented by Gov. Winslow,
Mr.. McRae, Mr.. Crawford and Mr.. Robinson; the
South Americans by Mr.. Hill, Mr.. Gilmer, Mr. Eth
eridse and Mr.. Mallory; the Anti-Lecomptonites by
Mr.. Clark of n. y and Mr. Riggs of N. j. The
resolution offered the first part of the session, by
Mr.. Clark, of No. in relation to the Helper book,
seemed to be stumbling block, ard it was agreed
to offer substitute for it, follows:
"WHEREAs, The agitation Of the slavery question
is productive of no good, but solely of evil to the
whole country, and its further discussion ought to
be discontinued by all parties: Therefore be it
:" Resoirea That man who has recommended
still insists upon and does not now disclam the doc
trincs contained in the extracts from the work
called 1.-The Impending Crisis of the South" by
one Helper, as read from the Clerks table, and who
is not opposed to the further agitation of the slavery
question: is fit to be Speaker of this House.
The presence of Mr. Clark, of n. y, CA. I.). at
this conference, and his sanction of its proceedings
gave umbragc to John B. IIaskin, of n Y, the
polished gentleman and scholar who, while McRae,
of Miss. was explaining the action of the confer
ence meeting demanded whether his colleague
CLARK of y. ~ had consented to proposition "tO
vote for that Sunday substitute" Mr.. McRae de
clined answering, when Clark, Of N. Y, addressing
him, said: THAT is none of my colleagues bust
ness" Whcrcupon the fasti,lious Haskin grew en-
ceeding wrathtul ana ravcd about nti-Lccompton-
ties, circus-rdng. etc. At this juncturc the most
uproriouS scene of confusion and disorder cnsued.
Mr. IlaSkn thrust his hand into his bosom to draw
revolver, but owing to his Shaky nerves. to the
insecure t,SteningS, the pistol dropped to the floor,
in few feet of Mr. Clemens, of Va. Here fuel
added to the flame; "settle your quarrel out of
DOORS" screamed out Kcitt of S. C.; "1ick mp that
tHtHI Npllcsl SOID, Ol :tid I!iuilldt, ol Am,
who was near IIaskin and watching him like cat
does mouse it is about to pouncc upon, baw'cd out
to him: What did you drop that for? If yon
want to rSc it, do it like man." 1t will be seen
that Southern men were mixed up in this affair; but
that is at once understood when state that every
one. at first was under the impression that Mr..
IIa>kn demonstration was intended for Mr.. McRae,
who was unarmed. The Sergcant-at-arns, with mace
in hand at length succeeded in restoring order when
the honorable John sought to explain why he was
armed. lie stated that he lived in the vicinity of
locality which he regarded as unsafe to pass without
weapon for defence; besides Washington was a
lawlcss place, and man needed other protection
than that afforded by the laws; farther. that his
volvcr had "arcidentuly" fallen upon the floor
presume he accidentally" thrust his hand in his
bosom at the time it fell and that he would have
made an "accilcnaT' use of it had an occasion "ac
cidcnally" offered itself
The Republicans do not evincc any intention of
withdrawing their can'lid,te, Mr.. Sherman; they
will doubtless win or lose with him. Although
there is nothing cheering hopeful in the present
condition of affairs, trust there WILL after WHILE
be some plan adopted by which the Opposition ele-
, llentS in the fIOuse may be combined and that a
Suund, national man may be elected Speaker. The
members growing weary of this harassing strug-
gle and seem to be more inclined to make conces
sions than heretofore; bat days time may pre-
sent another and different state of affairs.
The great speech of the session has been that of
Mr. Green, of Missouri, upon the Squatter-Sover-
elgnty doctrines of Judge Douglas 1t was the most
thorough exposition of the untenableness of Judge
d. argument which has yet been iven to the pub
/ lie lie told the Judge that if it was his purpose,
and that of those who acted with him. to force upon
the Democratic party the recognition of this odious
doctrine, that then they would be compelled to insist
upon the passage of slave code. He made stir
ring appeal to the "eninent Senator from Illinois, !"
(Seward on Dougas) TO abandon his perncious here
sv and return to the full fellowship of the Democra-
cy The Judge sat silent during the delivery of the
speech not once nterrupting to question explain.
1t seems that the mum policy rules in the Senate as
well as in the House. Pugh Of Ohio, who has been
promoted to the post of fugcman of Judge d., under
took to ntcrrOgatc Mr.. Green and to contrOvert
some of his points but the vigorous, clear intellect
. of the Missouran stilled the feeble walls Of
the little Ohioan, leaving him chapfallen and abash-
: ed This speech of Senator Green's great
triumph and has added largely to his fame one Of
the readiest and ab!est political debaters in this
: country. 1t is the intention Of Judge Douglas to
wait until the Senate have concluded their debate,
/ and thcn-to use his own language" fire into them
| all at once" Mr.. Clingman, of N. c., has the floor
. in the Senate to-day.
| The action of the Kentucky convention is a sore
subject to the Douslasite politicians i'll this city,
they having counted with certainty upon an almost
J unanimous Douglas delegation from that State.
! From the present tone of feeling at this point
fear that the Charleston Convention will not be so
HARMONIOUS as one could wish. and that instead Of
Il triangular, may have quadrilateral fight
However, in the ever-bubbling political cadron,
many things may see the light which will material
ly change the present phase of affairs
Hon. Chas. j. Faulkner has been confirmed as
Minister to France learn that attempt will soon
be made to increase the salary of Representative
to the French court, to the same rate now paid our
Minister to England; that of the latter being $500
more than the pay of the former.
Judge Hughes. of Indiana has been nominated to
the Senate as one of the Judges of the Court Of
Claims. This is capital appointment the Judge
having the reputation of being of the very ablest
lawyers of the northwest. 1t will be remembered
that Judge Ii. member of the last Congress,
and tbrnuml all the deSnerate Kansas STRUGGLES