Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-25
SPEAKERsHIp CONTESTS i

n@' z
Bitter Struggles for Control Be.
fore Civil War.
Slavery Extension the Chief Cause Of
Controvefsy-How Joka quincy
| Adams Stepped Into the Breach
| PARTY Unity Has De-
| creased Contents.
Although scarcely mentioned In the
Constitution, possessing few Of the at
tributes Of power that generally give a
man fame. and having practically no
patronage. the speaker Of the House Of
Representatives Is to-day generally ac-
knowledsed to be, next to the President
himself. the most powerful man in the
nation. says the New York Post. This
influence. as Prof. Albert Bushnell Hart
has pointed out. is largely a silent one.
Neither Constitution nor statute nor
rule defines his functions; they are the
result rather OF tho slow growth CT
unwritten practice. Ordinarily the choice
| of a speaker occupies but a few days.
and 1t seldom assumes the proportions
OF a national problem. while that Of the
President upsets the country for halt
year at least. II ia these things that
have led even 80 capable a critic OF
American government as Mr.. Bryce to
| miss the real Importance Of the spSak-
er's ONCE.
Joseph G. Cannon's election to the
speakership for the fourth timo Is not
without precedent. Henry Clay was Six
times elected speaker: Andrew Steven
son. like Cannon. was chosen four times
and Nathaniel Macon. Schuyler Colfax
James q. Blaine. John G. Carlisle. and
Thomas B. Reed served three terms
| each.
THE CONTEST OF 1900.
| Spirited contests for the speakershir
have been Of frequent occurrence. Many
times when party lines have been closely
drawn or when no party has had ma
tority. 1t has taken several ballots II
elect. Tho election OF 1909 afforded the
first instance Of a contest On the frs,
ballot Joseph B. Varnum. the speaker
OF the preceding House. received sixty
votes, Nathaniel Macon. who had served
thrice as speaker in former Congresses
thirty-six votes; Timothy Pttkin. twnnty
votes. while two other candidates re-
ceived one each. and there were tive
blank ballots. II the blank Ballots were
rot counted as votes, Varnum would
have majority and be elected. II
they were counted. there would be nc
choice. When It was finally decided &c
proceed to another ballot, Macon. who
had no expectation OF election himself
rose and announced that his health
would not permit him to accept the
spcakership II elected. and asked his
friends to vote for some one else. The
second ballot gave Varnum a majority
OF six votes.
The next contested election. like Al,
the historic contests Of later dates
arose over the slavery question. Tho
contest followed Clay's resignation Of
the speakership In November. 1920. Johr
W Taylor Of New York was the oandi
date Of 'he northern friends OF slavery
restriction. His principal opponent was
I,owndes Of South Carolina Seven bal
lots were taken on the arst Cay without
Success and on the second twelve more
ballots. with the same lack OF result
On the third day Taylor WAS chosen or
the twenty-second ballot. The four mos
memorable contests over the speaker
ship. however. were those of 1879. lSi9
1855. and 1850
The CONTESTED election OF 1879 hinged
ON tho question as 70 whether the con
tasted New Jersey election cases SHOULD
he taken up. The struggle was precip
itated when tho clerk, In reading tn;
roll, asked whether tho New Jerse,
members should be included. Without
the New Jersey members, the Hous:
comprised lls dem ocrats and llS wings
Tho admission OF either contesting del
egation would give Its party control o.
the House. The democrats. hoping Z
gain the speakership at any rate. fought
for delay. Scenes OF the greatest dis
order ensued. the clerk refusing Per
sistently to put any question to tn,
House on the ground that he had M
authority to do so.
ADAMS TO THE RESCUE.
After four days OF futile wrangling
ex-President John Quincy Adams. then a
representative from Massachusetts. ros.
t., his seat and made a stirring appea
to the members to proceed to organza
ton by placing on the roll those Neu
Jersey members holding certificates sign
ed by the governor. 'sBut who will pu
the notion" Quened . timid member
II will put the question myself" wal
the ex-Presidents prompt reply. A doz
on msmbsrs moved that Adams tax.
the chair ana the motion was carrie;
by practically unanimous shout .,d
ans presided. nrmly and resolutely
controlling the House ~ probably n,
other member could have done. After {
week OF debate the House voted to pro
coed to organization. excluding all tn
New Jersey contestants. The decision
pleased the democrats. but the ANAL out
como was bitterly disappointing to them
A ANAL group dissatisfied with the ad
ministration forces. effected an allian>'
with the wings. which. on the eleventh
ballot. resulted In tho choice OF Rober
NJ. T. Hunter OF Virginia. who calleC
himself an Independent.
The contest In the rhirty-hrst Con
gress us4s) was one Of tho bitterest tina
had UP to that time been waged for tn,
speakership. When the House met tc
organize. Howell Cobb, the democratic
caucus nominee led on the hrst ballo
over Robert G. Winthrop. who had beer
speaker Of the last House, by sever
votes. the free soil followers OF Giddings
on tho other hand. AMI small clique