North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-03-21

Democratic members, having answered TO
their names, proceeded to the election OF
Speaker, which resu tied IN the election OF
William Hopkins. Thus was presented
the extraordinary spectacle Of two Speak
ers occupying the chair at the same time
no, not exactly the chair, for Mr.. Hopkins
occupied it, while Cunningham stood on
the platform on his right.
On the night of the day on which those
proceedings occurred, quite an exciting
scene occurred in the Senate. In this
body the same attempt was made, and for
: time was successful, OF forcing into seats
two men as Senators who had been reject
ed by the people, and while Mr. Brown,
one of the duly elected Senators, was ma
king an effort to be heard in vindication
of the majesty of the ballot box, some in
dignation was exhibited on the part of
those prest Mt whose rights had been tram
pied upon, and Stevens q Co., finding
themselves foied in their treason, and fear
ing that a righteous retribution might be
visited upon ,hem, like trembling traitors,
made good their escape out at back win
dow of the Senate chamber.
This "Rump' House met for some days
in room at Wilson's Hotel, and after
wards in the supreme court room, and the
regular House net in the hall of the House
1t is due to three OF the members of her
| cunningham House to say that they
never met with that body. after the first
day, but having discovered the intamy of
the conspiracy, like honest men went in
to the '.Hopkins House" as it was called,
in contradistinction from the Cunning
ham House." and took the oath Of office.
This let the "Rumpcrs' with but forty
eight members, including the eight spuri-
Gus men from Philadelphia, who had been
as has been shown, rejected by decided
majority OF the people. Those three were
-Mcssrs. Butler and Sturdevant, of Lu
zerne county, and MonteIius. Of Union
county. The latter testified before the
committee of investigation that he told
Mr.. Stevens that his conscience would not
permit him to sanction these 'corrapt pro-
ceedincs.' conscience, indeed SAID Mr..
Stevens, "throw conscience to the devil,
and stand by your party" The two Houses
stood as follows:
HOPKINS HOUSE.
Regular Democrats without dispute 48
With Philadelphia disputed. 3e
CUNNINGHAM HOUSE.
Regular Anti Masons, without dispute 43
With Philadelphia disputed. 81
To aid in this infamous scheme of sub
verting the Government, Stevens induced
Governor Ritner, who, though perhaps
honest, was a very weak man, to call out
the military. and some twelve or fourteen
hundred volunteers. with all the pomp of
war. with 'Juck-shot nd ball." were quar-
tered at Harrisburg for weeks. at an ex-
pcnse to the people of perhaps hundred
thousand dollars, for the purpose of intim-
idating the Democracy. Bnt 1t failed,
law and orler were maintained, and the
integrity of the ballotbox preserved, very
much to the discomfort Of the consprators.
Is it any wonder then, that man with
such anteccdents should now be found at
the head of band of conspirators against
.'thc life of the nation,' setting at nought
the unanimous protest of the white popu-
lation of the District of Columbia as we'll
as those of the Southern States?