Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12
FIFTY YEARS AGO
In THE STAR

NO party had a clear majority in the
House of Representatives, although the
republicans had a plurality. A deadlock
resulted in the organization of the House
which was not broken until after the be-
ginning of the new year. The first weeks
of the session were marked by the de-
livery of bitter partisan speeches, in the
course of which the possibility of seces-
sion and of civil war was frequently
preached. In The Star of December 5,
1853. Is news report of the opening pro-
ceedings. 1t is notable that on the first
roll call every member of the House but
seven responded, and some of these
entered later. The nominees for Speaker
were Thomas S. Bocock of Virginia, John
Sherman of Ohio. John Hickman of Penn
sylvania, Galusha Grow of Pennsylvania
and Alexander r. Boteler of Vir-
ginia. On the first roll call Sherman had
G6 votes, Bocock SO. Grow IS. Boteler II.
with II votes scatter ne. Mr.. Grow " tn
drew Immediately after the announce
ment of the ballot. The proceedings were
between members, with numerous Pc hts
o order and motions, which, in the alb
sence of a permanent organization,
caused the development of an abnormal
situation
Early in the debate the firebrand was
thrown into the hall Of the House in the
form Of resolution in
HelDer'S PRODUCED by Representa-
tive Clarke of Missouri
ooon' There had been previous
~ printed book on conditions in the
Cr;, .;c &c he
South" by Hinton Rowan Helper. 1t
will be remembered in this connection
that Mr.. Helper died in this city last
March, a suicide. His work had greatly
irritated the south and had been in
dorsed by many public men in the north.
Mr.. Clarke Of Missouri proposed to make
the Helper book an issue. and his reso-
luton, declaring that the doctrines and
sent ments in that work were "insurrec-
tionary and hostile to the domestic peace
and tranquility Of the country" was to
the effect that no member Of the House
VINO had Endorsed or recommended it was
fit to be Speaker. The discussion of this
resolution occupied the remainder of the
day and on the day following motion to
lay II on the table resulted In tie, ZIG
to 116. This vote disclosed the narrow
whose views on the slavery subject were
not strongly defined holding the balance
of power. Every effort was exerted to
keep the membership of the House within
call. as roll calls for the speakership
wero held from time to time, but with
out result, Mr.. Sherman lacking four or
five votes of election.
In The Star of December 6, 1859, are
editorial references to the situation, in
dicating that the south
Conflict ern members of Congress
De-. were laying great stress
Deg un' upon the Helper test as
embodied in the Clarke resolution. 1t
appears that about s!xty-two members
Of Congress had Endorsed Helpers PAM
phlet. and while their names were known
it was sought by southern partisans to
draw them into the open in the House to
avow their sentiments. The Star said:
mo one can read yesterdays proceed
ings In the House without comprehend
ing the fact that the 'irrepress' BILE con-
flict' is indeed upon the country. The feel
was intense. indeed. There was nothing
said or done to lead to the conclusion
that any, either OF southern members or
of the Osawatomites. entertain the least
idea of giving up a single point in connec-
ton with the slavery question. True. the
congressional signers to the Helper
pamphlet are prepared to deny any knowl-
edge whatever of its contents. Yet every
man of them will practically sustain
every recommendation Of that publication
with his voice and vote throughout the
winter. More or less gentlemen elect
ed as anti-Lecompton democrats will
watomite ranks ere the contest for Speak
err closes"
While the bitter contest ragged on
Capitol Hill summary relaxation was
furnished the people by
Dead Letter the annual dead letter
aA. sale, which in the old
0"CIi1A' days was an occasion
of general entertainment The sale
was held at McGuire's auction rooms
The articles placed on sale had ac-
cumuiated In the dead letter office
since 1s47. twelve years previous. 1t Is
evident from a glance at the miscella-
neous character of the goods sold that
patrons Of the post were just as care
less then as now in the matter of put
ting proper addresses on their packages
and paying enough postage, intrusting
all sorts of things to the mails needless
ly. In The Stars report Of the sale,
printed December g, 1859, is the following
description of some of the prize pack
There was quite a sprinklng of books
The Way to Heaven. Life and Speeches
of Henry Clay. two Volumes Keeping the
Heart, Fatalist, one hundred catechisms,
Forts Medical Practice, Stocktons Ser
mons. Missouri Harmony. African
Preacher. Paradise Lost. Allyn's Ritual,
Laws OF Georgia. Fred Douglass. Sumner
Family. Life Of Fremont. Danger In the
Dark. Flowers of Piety. Livingstone's
Travels. Cotton is King, Bay State Glee
Book, etc.
Among the odd things in the miscel-
lany were an extraordinary pair of en-
broidered suspenders. German style
which sold for 800; regala 18th degree
l. 0. 0. F.. brought $175: patent inhaling
tube to cure consumption, 81 cents; box
dissecting instruments. half dozen
chemises, gaffs for game fowl. one corn
field hoe directed to Queen Victoria.
the postage upon which amounted to $40:
German pipes. gold foil. inkstands, kid
gloves. 50 'ctacles, daguerreOtype plates,
violin strings, lot Of morning goods, two
shawls and sacks. comfort linen braids
(for colored personsl, black summer
coat, bed quilt. ear trumpet three pairs
of boots. brogans. lot of hardware. sign
o cotton cloth Ready Made Clothing,
lot of avis. five dozen " atch CRYSTALS
and SO on to the number of six or seven
hundred articles
The MESSAGE.
From the Toledo Blade.
INV wife read the first nara ora nj, of