The weekly Butte record., 1861-01-19
The Sueakership.

ou tHt ltiu. Hc Fotc StOOu, DuTueii, 4U !
Wood of Plumas, 36. Both these gentlemen.
are sound National Democrats. and we're cleo
ted members Of the Legislature on the platform
adopted by the National Democratic Conyen-
tion at Charleston. Neither was the recipient
of party nomination for Speaker, although
Burnel had received semi-otficial nomination
by the withdrawal of Conness, in his favor
the latter gentleman having been honored with
the Democratic nomination for that position.
During the candidacy of Mr. Conn, s., some
of the Democratic members grew restve, un-
der the belief that he could not be elected, and
among them. were Gen. Harris of Butte, and
Gen Wood, of Pumas. This was claimed by
some of the more offhand correspondents and
writers, as bolt on the part of these gentle
men to the Breckinrid :e seceders from the
National Convention. While doubling the
propriety of The movement, we cannot question
the motives actuating them. But. if we are to
publcans for supremacy in the State, 10 Gods
name let US abide by party usage, and, present
ing an united front. sweep them from the land.
II, upon every little occasion. the right to bolt
nominees be recognized and practiced, the De-
mocracy of California will be swept away by
the miraculous east wind that will soon be
npon them. az were the waves Of the Red Sea.
The Democratic party should pursue straight
forward. uni'ed course, with success If they can.
but with defeat if it must be so. Tampering
with sectional fanaticism, now arrayed against
each other in the ranks of the Breckenridge
and Republican factions is but to contaminate
the National Democracy and invite defeat
The Breckenridge faction in Butte, were in
high glee over the reported remarks Of Gen.
Harris, when placing Gen. Wood in nomina-
tion. but experienced fall the following day
when Gen. Harris corrected the report, and
Gen. Wood defined his position. MIR. Harris
spoke as follows:
Mr.. HARRIs-I wish to offer a word by way
OF explanation. My few remarks yesterday
morning when nominated General Wood for
the Speakership, have not been properly re-
p 'rted. or | did moi express the sentiment |
intended to express
Several gentlemen on the right of the desk
rose 10 say they could not hear the honorable
gentleman.
The CLERK-It is impossible to hear the
honorable gentleman from Butte at the desk.
MIR. Harris continued am made to say
in the report of the debate that my natural
affiliations are with the Breckenridge party
That does not express what l intended to ex-
press. The proposition on which based my
remarks WAS this. that speaker could not be
elected without the assistance of either the
Republican or 'he Breckenridge party; that
in the event OF it becoming necessary to call
for the assistance of either Of those parties to
co operate with the Donglas party, that felt
my natural allies we're with the Breckenridge
party, and not with the Republican party. 1t
was evident that Speaker could not be elect
ed without calling Oh one party or the other
The honorable and eloquent gentleman from
Sierra thinks differently. His associations
point differently he believes that they point
his destiny to the Republicans as his natural
allies. Ii is matter of taste between u.s.
But wish to be distinctly understood that
standing on the Douglas platform, | will sac
rlice no principle of that platform in the elec-
ton of Speaker, and no other officer of this
House / am also-
The CLERK-1he Clerk would remark that
the exp analion of the gentleman on the ques-
ton OF privilege is not properly in order at
this moment.
Mr.. HARRIS One more word and l have
done. | am also made 10 say that 81 felt that
in my heart The other day when the PROPOSE
tion was made by that party" meaning the
Breckenridge party, that we had put forward
for Speaker man who was Objectionable to
them. and for whom they would not ote."-
The sentence is not completed. The PROPOSE
ton that they proposed to vote for any other
unexcepionable Douglas man, meant to say,
was no sacrifice Of principle. The proposition
was reasonable and rational. Now, sir. have
nominated General Wood for the Speakership,
without consultation with him and without
his consent aud knowledge did not wish to
embarrass this Ho1se, nor to depart from any
principle ] made the nomination in the hope
that the interests OF the State of California
were paramount 10 the elevation of any parti-
cular man to the Speakership who could be
elevated without sacrifice Of the principles
on which we stand. find | am mistaken.
and without the consent of that gentleman, or
his knowledge. l cheerfuy withdraw his name.
General Wood is no longer candidate for
The Speakership
Gen. Wood of Plumas, defined bis position
as follows:
Mr.. WooD said: propose TO submit but
verv few remarks on this occasion. | am
only induced 10 rise and address the Assembly
at this time. because have been asked to stale
my position upon this floor. Having answered
that request, having plainly and unequivocally
informed the Assmeby of my position here, so
far as | understand it, | shall cease to occupy
your attention My position upon this floor,
Mr.. Clerk. can be briefly stated stand on
the Cincinnati Platform; am a Douglas man.
My first vote was cast for Andrew Jac,s"n,
and my last was given for Stephen A. Douglas.
Gentlemen, my name has been placed before
you without any consultation with me, without
any one asking my cnnsent or advice in the
premises. 1t was withdrawn from before you
by the same gentleman who formally placed
me in nomination. He exercised the same
privilege aud freedom in the one case as in the
other Neither action was the consequence of
consultation with me. My name has again
been placed before you; not in obedience to
any wish or solicitation of mine. | am far
from having any particular personal ambition
in regard TO this contest. would this minute
if such step would secure the organization of
this House-w,hdraw my name myself. In