The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-12-07

Gus.
The Democratic members of Con-
gress met last Saturday evening in the
Capital at Washington for the
purpose of nominating officers
of the House. The contest was be-
tween Carlisle, of Kentucky, Randall
of Pennsylvania, and Cox of New York,
for the speakership, and vigorous
caucus had been made by the friends
of each, General Rosecrans called the
caucus to order, and Mr.. Geddes of
Ohio was elected chairman. A roll call
showed 1873 members present, and when
the vote was taken, the result was 106
for Carlisle, So for Randall, and 80 for
Cox. On motion of Governor Curtin
Carlisle's nomination was made unani.
nous, and he was escorted to the hall
by the defeated candidates. On taking
the speakers chair Mr.. Carlisle spoke as
follows
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF
THE Caucus Your committee has
just formally notified me of my unani-
nous nomination for the office of
speaker of the house of representatives
for the Forty. eighth congress, and l am
here to thank you very briefly and
very earnestly for the confidence you
have reposed in me. If this lad been
mere personal contest between me
and either of the three distinguished
gentlemen whose names have been men
toned in connection with this nomi-
nation, / should have had but little
hope of success. They are gentlemen
of great ability, and | assure them and
their friends that this contest closes, 80
far as l am concerned, without the
slightest change in the friendly perso-
nal relations which have heretofore
existed between us.
Gentlemen, trust that you may
never have reason to regret your action
this evening, and that when the labors
of the Forty. eighth congress are closed
you may be able to congratulate your
selves tina: no material interest of your
country has been injuriously affected
by my administration of the office for
which you have nominated me. In
fact, may go step further and ven.
ture to express the confident hope that
every substantial interest will be ad-
vanced and promoted by the united ef-
forts of the presiding officer and the
democratic majority on the floor. Such
result will insure victory in the great
contests yet to come, and guarantee a
long line of democratic executives with
an honest, economical and constitution
al administration of our public affairs.
But, sir, you have much other labor to
perform, and, again thanking you for
what you have already done, l shall
say no more.
RANDALL's GRACEFUL ACKNOWLEDGE
MENT.
Mr.. Randall then addressed the eau
Gus. He said "a majority of the
democratic representatives of the Forty
eighth congress has seen fit to desig-
nate the distinguished gentleman from
Kentucky for the exalted position of
speaker. His administration shall have
my firm, fixed and honorable support.
To my friends, the minority, who may
be disappointed at this result. l tender
my gratitude for their support, which
was actuated by noble, disinterested
friendship, based upon the highest con-
siderations of duty, as they believed,
both to their party and to their country.
| bow to the decision of a majority of
my colleagues, The duty imposed
upon me by my constituents will be
performed with earnest zeal for their
interest, for the triumph of my party
and the real prosperity of my country.
If in the future there be any service I
can render that will tend to these ends
it will be performed with a cheerful
ness that no other citizen can excel"
Applause.
Ex-congressman Clarke of Missouri
was nominated for Clerk, John p.
Leedom of Ohio, for Sergeant-at-A Arms,
j. G. Wintersmith of Texas for Door
keeper, l.. Dalton of Indiana for Post
master, and Rev. j. S. Lindsay of
Georgetown ID. G. for Chaplain.
On motion of General Slocum, of New
York, seconded by General Rosecrans,
of California, it was unanimously re.
solved that the fourteen crippled and
disabled soldiers now borne on the
soldiers roll under the doorkeeper of
the house of representatives shall be
retained on said roll, subject however,
to dismissal for just aud sufficient
cause. The caucus then, at half past
twelve a. m, adjourned sine die.