The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-01
A FAMOUS CONTEST.
A Congressman's RecOllections of the Banks
Contest for Speaker


Congressman's RecOllections of the Banks
Contest for Speaker.
John J. Perry in Lewiston (Me) journal
1t was our fortune to be connected with the
American House of Representatives at one
of the most important periods in our coun.
try's history. The Thirty-fourth Congress.
which convened in December. 1855 con.
tanned many of the ablest statesmen in the
country, and it met at time when political
excitement ran high Nine long weeks were
spent in organizing the House, which was at
last reached by the election of General Banks
to the Speakers chair. But of this great
contest we do not now propose to speak,
but take a hasty look at two
or three prominent characters in the
House: During the long struggle in organ
1zlng the House, every member selected his
own seat, subject, OF course, to those which
were pre-occupied. 1t so happened that our
nearest neighbor for the time being was
General John A. Quitman, a representative
from Mississippi. He was at that time but
fifty-six years of age, yet his personal appear
ance indicated much longer period of years.
His hair was very gray, worn after the style
of 'Old Hickory" his form erect and soldier
like, his eyes dark and piercing, his voice
naturally mild as a child's, yet trumpet
tongued when aroused by excitement. In all
his associations he was perfect gentleman.
In politics he was an extreme Southron
"a regular seceSsionist-yet socially one of
the most pleasant men in the world He
had trankness about him, square way of
expressing his opinions which no one could
help admiring, however much they might
differ from him in political be-
Lief. We well remember that upon
one occasion, when referring to
the antagonizing elements growing out
OF the slavery question between the South
and the North he remarked that Seward
was right when he said there was an ''irre-
pressible conflict between freedom and
slavery, and then went on as with the pro-
phetic ken of prophet to point out that it
would end in a civil war between the two
sections of country that in such an event
slavery would either be made permanent
institution under the shield of Southern
republic, or come to an end as military
necessity''-if the South should be subiu-
gated.
When Preston s. Brooks made his coward
ly attack upon Charles Sumner General Quit
man did not hesitate to express in private
his detestation of the whole transaction, and
at the same time said it would hasten on the
crisis between the North and thd South,
than which truer words were never spoken.
General Quitman was major-general in the
Mexican war-distinGuished himself at Mon
terey, Vera Cruz and Chapultepec and was
Military Governor of Mexico after its cap
ture by our troops. He held nearly every
office from member of the Legislature to
Governor of his State, and was four years
member of Congress. Had he lived, he
would undoubtedly have been great milf
tary leader in the war of the rebellion on
the side of the South. He died at his resi-
dence in Mississippi, July II, 1858.
In the next seat in front of US sat ex-Gov-
ernor William Aiken, of South Carolina, a
man in all his social relations very much like
General Quitman. He was said to own more
slaves than any other member of the House,
and like the General was kind master Gov
ernor Aiken, although South Carolinian,
largely interested in the peculiar institu-
tion" was a strong Union man, an anti-Cal-
noun man, and opposed to secession. After
the House had become well nigh exhausted
in its efforts to elect Speaker it adopted the
plurality rule, in order to put an end to the
prolonged contest. AT this point powerful
effort was made to unite the opposition
against General Banks by making Governor
Aiken his rival candidate and had not six
members, then belonging to the "Know-
Nothing" party, refused to vote for him, he
would have been chosen. We we'll remember
the intense, tremendous excitement which
Banks elected. DIR. Marshall, fire.
eating member from Kentucky,
offered a Ssolution declaring Howell Cobli,
of Georgia, elected Speaker. Kett, of South
Carolina, seconded the motion in one of his
fiery, ranting harangues For few moments
everything indicated the breaking up of pro-
ceedings by a fight upon the floor of the
House, when Governor Aiken mounted his
seat, and in voice that rang out above the
fury of the storm declared n. p Banks
elected Speaker, and that he would person
ally accompany him to the chair. The South
erners quailed before the voice of their chosen
leader, and for moment their fury and rant
were hushed into silence and, selling the OPP
portunity, Governor Aiken and ex-Speaker
Cobb, of Georgia, escorted Banks 50 the
Speakers chair, when shout went up from
freedoms champions on the first great Re-
publican victory achieved in the nation.