Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-03

of the deadlock, but none was approved
by the House.
After the 1920 ballot, on January %,
the name Of Mr.. Richardson was with
drawn and the regular Democrats
united on Col. James L. Orr Of South
Carolina. On February 1, Mr.. Cobb
offered what he termed IAN olive branch
Of peace" in the form Of resolution
declaring Representative william Aiken
of South Carolina elected Speaker.
Representative washburn promptly
moved TO clay the olive branch on the
table" and it received 103 votes with
10 cast in opposition. This gave con-
siderable heart to the Democrats ana
most Of the Know Nothings voted Tor 1t.
They thought they were enjoying a
fore-taste of victory.
When the House assembled next day
Representative Smith, Democrat, OF
Tennessee, offered the resolution that
the House proceed at once to take three
ballots for Speaker and II no one was
elected, then a roll call should be taken
and the person receiving the largest
vote should be declared elected. The
l30th ballot gave Banks 102 votes,
Aiken SO, Fuller II and scattered.
The two succeeding ballots held the
same and then the plurality rule went
into operation-and Banks won. Rep
resentative Spinner, who was later
treasurer of the United States, had been
elected as an administration Democrat
but voted for Banks. William A.
Wheeler, afterward Vice President
under Hayes, voted for Aiken. John
Scott Harrison, father Of the ex-
President, voted for Lewis D. Campbell
while Mr.. Campbell himself voted for
Banks.
Struggle Of 1890.
Still another memorable struggle Tor
the Speakership was waged In the
Winter of 1859-60, when the Know
Nothings combined with a few Free
Soil Democrats who were reluctant to
vote for a Republican. John Sherman
was the Republican candidate, and sew
eral times came within three votes OF
being elected, but couldn't make the
grade.
The contest milled along until Feb
ruary 8, 1860, with turbulent sessions
daily which increased in vituperation
and violent utterances, until bloodsheo
was threatened and seemed inevitable
Each side was obdurate and up TO the
last moment a peaceful settlement
GECIL4Ch 41IlROOolDAC
While the Republicans stuck steadily
to Sherman, the opposition tried out
several candidates. Threats Of disun1on
were frequently made. Motion after
motion was made to adjourn and GO
home The balloting went on and on
with little change until the name OF
William Pennington of New jersey was
brought forward. He was a conserva-
tive, serving his first term In Congress,
a Republican who had never been loen-
titled with the radical or stalWart branch
Of the party. When it seemed likely that
the Republicans could be rallied to his
support, Representative Briggs OF New
York announced that whenever his vote
would elect a conservative Speaker he
was ready to cast it.
The roll was called for the last time
on February 8. When the name Of Mr..
Briggs was reached, with few words
Of explanation he voted for Pennington,
but there was still one vote needed
Henry Winter Davis of Maryland could
end the struggle and all eyes turned
upon him. He was slowly pacing back
and forth In the lobby and did not re-
ply when his name was called. Again
the clerk called his name, but he re-
manned silent until the last name on
the roll had been called. Then, before
the clerk could announce the result OF
/ the ballot, Mr.. Davis said: Mr.. Clerk,
call my name" and when the clerk
complied, in a loud. clear voice Mr..
Davis voted for Pennington.
The present outlook is that the House
is facing such another historic contest
for the speakership next December.