Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-06
proposed. but Lone Of them received the

proposed. but Lone Of them received the
sanction OF the House.
On the 23d day Of January, after the
122d ballot. the name Of Mr.. Richardson
was withdrawn, and the regular democrats
united upon Col. James L. Orr of South
Carolina. On the 1st Of February Mr..
Cobb offered what he termed an "olive
branch Of peace" in the shape Of a resolu-
ton declaring VIM. Aiken Of South Caro-
lima speaker. Mr.. Washbrrne promptly
moved to LAY the olive branch on the
table" The resolution received 1903 votes
as against 10 in opposition. This encour-
aged the democrats very much, as most
Of the know nothings voted for 1t. They
thought they saw the beginning of the end
and that the end would be in their favor.
At the reassembling of the House the
rext morning. Mr.. Smith. democrat. Of
Tennessee, offered a resolution providing
that the House should proceed at once to
take three ballots for Speaker. and II at
the end of the third ballot no one should
have majority of all the votes, the roll
should again be called and the member
having the highest vote should be the
Speaker. This was adopted. and the bal
lotlng proceeded amid the most intense ex-
element The both ballot resulted in CIV
ing Mr.. Banks 102 votes. Mr.. Aiken %, Mr..
Fuller IA and six votes scattering. The
two succeeding ballots were the same and
then the plurality rule operated. AS the
roll call progressed the hopes of the demo-
Gratis grew as several of the know nothings
voted for Mr.. Aiken, but when the last
nounced it was found that Mr. Banks had
the highest vote.
Mr.. Spinner. who was afterward treasurer
OF the United States. had been elected as
an administration democrat. but voted for
Mr. Banks. VIM. A. Wheeler, afterward
Vice President under Hayes, voted for
Aiken. John Scott Harrison, father of the
eX-Presdent, voted for Lewis d. Campbell;
but Mr.. Campbell himself voted for Mr.
Banks.
On the Eve of the War.
The winter Of 1890 witnessed another
memorable struggle. The balance of power
was held by the know nothings and few
free soil democrats. who did not like to vote
for republican. The republican candidate
was John Sherman, who several times came
within three votes of an election, but could
rot get the other three. The contest lasted
until the Sd of February, 1860. More violent
speeches were made during its continuance
than ever before, and each days session
was scene of turbulence, which often
threatened to end in bloodshed. Each side
was persistent, and UP to the last moment
there was hardly a prospect of a peaceable
solution. The opposition vote divided up
and new names were frequently brought
forward. but the republicans stuck stead
Easily by Mr.. Sherman. Threats of dis
uIion were freely made and motion after
motion was made to adjourn and go home.
but the balloting went on, with but little
change, until The name Of VIM Penning-
ton Of New Jersey was brought forward.
Mr.. Remington was a conservative and
was serving his first term in Congress. He
was a republican. but had never been iden-
tilted with the radical stalwart element
of the party. When Il was seen that the
republicans could be rallied to his support
Mr.. Briggs of New York announced to some
of his friends that whenever the time came
that his vote would elect a conservative
man Speaker he should cast his vote for
that purpose. On the Sd of February the
roll was called for the last time. When the
name of Mr.. Briggs was reached, with q
few words of explanation, he voted for Mr..
Pennington; but still one vote was needed.
Henry Winter Davis Of Maryland could
end the struggle. and the question was
would he do ii. All eyes were turned to
him, but he gave no sign. He slowly
pacing back and forth in the lobby in the
rear of the seats. When his name was
called he did not reply. Again the clerk
called him, but he remained silent, until
the last name on the roll had been called
Then, before the clerk announced the re-
suit of the vote, he said: Mr.. Clerk, call
my name" Once more the name of Mr.
Davis was called by the clerk. and in a
loud, clear voice he cast his vote for Mr.
Pennington. thus ending the long struggle.
w. II. SMITH.