Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-08
Withdrawal Of Washburn and the
Nomination of Oolfax.
Erhridge's Plot to Throw the
House into the Hands Of the
0opperheads.

ries. Dawes, Of Massachusetts, nomina-
ted Washburne, Of Illinois, for Speaker;
Pomeroy, Of NsW York, nominated Fenton,
of the same State; and 0rth, Of Indiana,
nominated Schuyler COlfax, Of the same
State.
Washburne, in q few brief remarks,
stated that be was grateful for the conf
denee of his friends, in nominating him,
but he would withdraw in favor Of Colfsx,
Of Indiana. Fenton then withdrew, and,
without ballot and by acclamstion, Colfsx
was nominated as the Republican csndi-
date for Speaker Of the Thirty-eighth Con-
gress.
The question of rumored omission Of
names by the Clerk, Of members not hsV-
ing proper certificates, came up, and was
warmly discussed generally. It was re-
marked that delegations from Vermont
West Virginis and Michigan were inform
al. But q member remarked that an off,
cial list, by Etheridge, included all the
names but those Of the members from
Louisiana. Thad. Stevens and Winter
Davis spoke on the question, ard debate
continued until the caucus adjourned, at
ten o'clock, till Monday night, for nomina-
ton Of other officers Of the House. 1t was
generally understood, 81 adjournment,
among members, that by close calculation
Etheridge could not rule out enough to de-
feat the election Of Colfax.
The Democratic members at their caucus
did not exceed fifty. A general exchange
Of views occurred, and after an hour
session an adjournment was had, without
any nominations being made Il is be-
lieved that on Monday, in the House
Democrats will generally throw their votes
for Cox, Of Ohio.
1t is not certain that the Message will GO
in on Monday. The Presidents friends
do not agree as to the principal points of
the Message; some claiming that on the
reunion question it is brief and conserva-
tive, and others that he submits a lengthy
plan Of his own. 1t will be telegrsphed.
The department reports will be mailed to-
morrow, in advance OF delivery.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.
This is the eve Of Congress, and intense
excitement has prevailed here all day.
The city is crowded to overlooking, and
/ the hotels are filled from cellar to garret
The halls and corridors are occupied by
dense masses Of people, and Senators,
members Of the House, Office holders, Office
seeking lobby-men and contractors, are sll
actively canvassing their various claims
tonight.
The Republicans claim to have discov-
cred that q Illn is on foot to deprive them
Of the organiZstIon Of the House sltogeth-
er and party feeling is running high on
/ the question which has this foundation
1t appears that Just before the adjourn
ment Of the last Congress q law was passed
| providing that all certificates Of election
should be in certain form, 50 as to be
strictly in accordance of all State laws,
and the United States laws regulating
Congressional elections, makingit the duty
OF the Clerk Of the House 70 swear in nc
member Of whose certificate was not thus
drawn up. This law was passed to prevent
the election of Congressmen by military
orders in insurgent States. Emerson
Etheridge, the present Clerk, it is under
stood, intends to enforce this law; where
upon it is alleged that large number o.
Republican members have improper oerti
fcstes. If they are not admitted, thl
Democrats, II seems-Who we're written 4
have accurate certificates, and who, will
slight exceptions, have them-csn organ
I
Etheridge waited on the Attorney Genera
to-day for an opinion, as to the correc
construction Of the law, but Mr.. Bates de
clined to give it. Nevertheless, it is un
derstood that Etheridge will enforce tn
law. Personal threats and loud talk o
violence are heard about various politica
circles, ss contingent, if he should carr,
out his ruling, At COlfax's headquarters
at the National, there is an unusual crowd
Greeley has been there all the evening
The Corporation of Washington gave
dinner there to night.
Private Henry Wright, Company c, u
Vermont, and John Campbell, 26th Ind
sna-the former for sleeping on his pos
} has been psrdonel from death and tn
latter, for murder, has been sentenced
be shot to death-snd the President hs
} approved the sentence.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.
The Ohio Democratic delegation held
caucus yesterday. Fourteen were presen
I Nine votes were for Cox and three fO
Pendleton-Cox and Pendleton, being can
iidates, did not vote. It was resolvee
that Cox should be the nominee, and Per
J dleion should present his name in th
Z HOUSE. Fernando Wood has been urgin
. Pendleton's nomination. Cox is openl
3 for the war, and says he will vote supple
! Of men and money, as he has done herett
fore. If the Democrats find that by uni
ing on Mallory they can organize Ii
House, they will do 80. If q compliments
~ vote is to be cast, it will be for Cox.
Green Clsy Smith and Lucien Anderson
j, Of Kentucky, voted for Colfax, in th
: Union caucus. Brutus J. Clay WAS not
Z the caucus, but will vote for COlfsx t,
3 morrow.
3 A committee appointed ct q ReFublies
: caucus last night, consisting Of Wint'
" Davis Of Maryland, Stevens of Pennsy
!, vsnis, Garfield Of Ohio, DAVIS Of Mass
: ohusetts, and Pike Of New Hsmpshir
y waited upon Mr.. EtheIidge to-day, and il
( quired Of him what course he intended
9 pursue in regard to the election certii
: Gates of members.
He replied that ne intended to adhel
strictly TO the law of March lsct, requiriu
all certificates to read that each membj
e was duly elected in accordance with Il
United States and the State Laws; that
was mandatory upen him, and he coul
% not disregard it. He also stated that de
g egations from Maine, West Virginia, ar
% Virginia and Vermont have informal or
q dentials, and would be ruled out, and th
he hsd received none from California al
2 Kansas. The Republicans claim that, vii
! ! this omission, Colfax's election is secure
l. is doubtful whether the message will
sent in tomorrow. It was completed t
: night
r. The Presidents message Is not yet fl
= ished. He now expects to furnish the la
pages to the printer tomorrow forenoon
Il will make about 8 sixteen page pan