The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-02
HOW SPINNER ELECTED BANKS.
Banquet to the Ez-Speaker Which
Recalls the Great Contest.

From the Baltimore american.
WASHINGTON, May 29.-There was a
reception followed by an elaborate dinner
at the Arlington in Washington this even
ing of the surviving ex-members of the
Thirty-fourth congress who voted for Gen.
Banks for speaker. Gen. Banks has this
term been returned to congress. and repre-
sents the First Massachuse Is district. Oaly
about two dozen OF the 103 members are
now alive, but they were not all present.
Those who did attend were Senators John
Sherman and Morrill,, Gen. John A. Bing-
ham of Ohio, James H. Campbell Of Penn
sylvania, Russell Sage, Edward Dodd and
U. 1. Flagler of New York, G. G. Chaffee
OF Massachusetts, Sidney Dean of
Connecticut John j. Perry of
Maine, and Earin H. Cragln of New Hamp-
shire and myself The other members who
could not come ere Gen. Francis E. Spin
ner of New York, James Bishop of New
Jersey, ex-speaker Lucia A Grow of Penn
sylvania, Jo,eph Pike of New Hampshire.
y. L. Knapp and L. B. Comins of Massa-
chusetts, j. j. Pearce of Pennsylvania, Guy
X. Pelton of New York. James s. T. Stran-
ahan of Brooklyn. and Rufus King of New
York. OF the 1O3 members who voted for
Gen. Banks thirty-fve years ago. only
twenty-five are living to tell the tale. Nearly
all the Survivors of the Thirty fourth con-
gress have taken prominent part in max
ing the history of the country. Most of
them, In one way or another, have con-
tinued to attract public attention, and,
with few exceptions. they are all hale aud
hearty as old men 60.
or those who still survive none outside of
congress are better known than Gen. Spin
ner, President Lincoln's treasurer-the man
OF The famous signature. Gen. Spinner,
who Is now dying at his home in Florida,
was the man who practically elected Banks,
and he regards it the greatest act of his life.
In a letter written two years ago to the sur
vivors of the Thirty fourth congress meet
ing then, as tonight, Gen. Spinner wrote:
II was the only membe of that congress
who had been nominated and elected to 1t
by the regular organization of the Demo-
cratic party who voted for Banks.
Being an out-and-out free-soiler, and
hence strongly opposed to the extension of
slavery into free territory, refused to at
tend the democratic caucus for the nomina-
ton of the officers of the House, and, thus,
was left free to vote for the anti-slavery
extension man for speaker. For obvious
reasons declined to attend the caucus of
the opposing party.
after the nomination of Gen. Banks for
speaker | refused to 60 to his room. al
though passed his door at Wizards, where
we both lived, many times every day dur
ing the two-monthS struggle for the cleo
ton of a speaker. For Uime | voted with
several auti-slavery extension democrats for
speaker, but finally joined those who voted
for Banks.
"On the night of Feb. 1, when Gov. Aiken
had received three more votes than were
cast for Banks, and when it was evident
that the plurality resolution would be
adopted in the morning, in coming from
my room late in the evening to mail my
letters, came in contact with number of
our friends near the door of Gen. Banks
room. Edwin B. Morgan, a member from
the Cayuga district of New York, urged me
to go to Mr.. Banks room. l declined, but
was overpowered by four or five other
members from our state, who rushed me
into Banks room. l found there was
evidently a conference of a number
of members who had for SO long
time voted for Banks for speaker.
Stanton of Ohio had the floor.
He ceased speaking, and after order
was resumed, said: AS have Just stated,
some of us think that Mr.. Banks should
decline to be a candidate, and should name
the, candidate to be supported on to-mor-
row. | was aroused at once to the threat
enlng danger. l knew enough of tactics to
see the danger OF changing front in the face
of the enemy. The thought of coming de-
feat made me very angry, and cried out
Let come what will, let who vote for whom
he will, as for me, so help me God, shall
vote for Natheniel P Banks until speaker
is electedp Then forced my way out and
slammed the door after me with bang"
The rest Is known. Gen. Spinners bold
stand crushed the rebellion rising against
Banks among his own friends. The next
day he was elected.