Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-01-30
Notes From the Capital.
Special Correspondents Of the Bulletin.
DEs MONIES. Jan. 90, 1871

Auc lOu2 agony ~ ovcT. 1IseA
l4l "tie" votes the spell was broken,
and at the l42d, just nine more bal
lots than in the great struggle which
elected Mr.. Banks Speaker at Wash
ington in 1855 and SO.
But it is of no small Importance
that the process by which the "dead
lock" was picked should be detailed
in connected narrative, to be carried
down in history. This will now be
attempted by one who, by day and
by night, watched the entire pro-
ceedings.
need not review the position Of
the parties, nor of the innumerable
details of roll calls. That your
readers understand. The first point
to note is the popping Of the ques-
ton" The voice OF the people was
beginning to be heard against the
continuance Of the struggle, and all
here felt that unless the human feel
ing of pride of position should be
dropped, no adjustment would ever
be made.
And here let it be recorded that
the dominant party-the party that
in the eyes of the civilized world
was entitled to the organization,
was the magnanimous one to open
negotiations for an amicable adjust
ment. They made this liberal pro-
posal-to release all the members
from party obligations, and go into
a joint caucus and there ballot for
the officers. Strange as this may
appear, this liberal proposal was re-
jected by the Innominata, but they
offered to take chance game on it
by "castihg lots" This was de-
clined by the Republicans on the
ground Of illegality and impropri-
ETY..
The Republicans then proposed a
JOINT committee Of five from each
side to agree on a plan of adjust
ment. This was agreed to, and the
committee devised plan giving
the Speakership and Postmasters to
the Republicans, and all the other
| Offices to the Innominats
This liberal scheme was promptly
adopted by the Republicans, but re-
jected for some unaccountable rea-
son by the Innominats, but they
offered to change sides, or adopt the
vice versa. This tho Republicans
could not concede to 90 any consist
ent grounds. Had the committee
SO arranged at first they would have
done SO. But there was even .
doubt that they would adhere even
if it had been agreed to.
Here comes in an episode to be
recorded. One of the prominent
Democrats became disguised with
the backing and filing process of
! ! the Innesninats, and gave the pub
lie notice that if the Republicans
would renew their last proposition,
and the Innominats should again
refuse to accept il, he would change
his vote to the Republican side.
On this announcement, the Re.
publicans, after rejecting another
"draw CUT proposition from the
other party, renewed their proposal
as requested by Mr.. Paul, Of Iowa
City, the Democrat mentioned, and
the Innominats rejected it.
This seemed to be a settlement,
but Mr.. Paul was so beset by his
associates with threats and denun-
Citations that the next morning, after
having been labored with the entire
night, he~fclt it to be his duty to
his friends in Iowa City and else
where to absolve himself from his
promise.
Again was the whole question un-
| settled. Darkness prevailed. The
Innominats then led off by propo-
sal to 60 into joint caucus with the
stipulation that there should not be
ballot. but an open roll call, and
further, that the unsuccessful party
for speaker should have the other
officers, and still further, that both
Mr.. Dixon and Mr.. Gear should
withdraw from the contest.
The Republicans amended the
proposition so that the mode of bal.
lotting should be left to the joint
caucus and making both Mr.. Dixon
and Mr.. Gear eligible with others
in the caucus. They also sent in
another proposal as an alternat.
giving choice between that and
the amended proposal. The alter
nate was accepted and adopted by
both sides as follows:
l. The Republicans to have the
Speaker and the Craftsmanship of
the standing committees (Which of
course makes them in the majority
counting the chairman.
2. The Innominats the other Of
ficers Of the House, and the Chair
manship and majority ofthe inves-
tigating committees of the House.
On Friday this scheme was car
ried out, and the following officers
elected: John H. Gear, of Burling.
ton city, Speaker; J. M. Weart, of
Buchanan county, Chief Clerk; L.
Irvine, of Story county, LIST Assist.
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