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

The contest for the speakership in
the next Congress, which Is now vexing
Republican party leaders, coming IN
expectedly at a time when the Re
publicans may or may not have a
majority Of one II they are able TO
get unanimous party support Tor one
candidate, with one Of the youngest
members being the only third party
voter, close and long-drawn-out though
it may be, will have to go some to
break historic records.
-Four bitterly contested fights over
the speakership are disclosed by a
search Of the old records, reaching
back for century.
In 1889 the Democrats really had a
small majority in the House over the
Wings, but they were cut up by d1ssen-
tions, as are the Republicans today. In
five hotly-conteste| cases from New
Jersey, the Democratic candidates
claimed the seats for which certificates
had been issued to Wings. The clerk
of the House was Democrat. In call
ing the roll Of the States in swearing
in the members, when he reached New
Jersey he announced that there were
contests which he did not feel COM
PEELED to decide and so would not call
the names CT any members from that
State. This promptly resulted in an
uproar which continued for flve days,
the clerk refusing to recede or to put
any motion. requiring him TO proceed
with the roll call.
The venerable John Quincy Adams
came to the rescue. On the fifth day
when the clerk was again calling the
roll, just as he reached New Jersey,
Adams sprang TO his feet, exclatming
Il rise TO interrupt the clerk" There
were cries Of Hear him" Let's hear
what John Quincy Adams has to say"
Challenge Is Interrupted.
A hush fell upon the assemblage and
all eyes were turned on the venerable
statesman. Casting whitening look at
the clerk, Adams turned his back upon
him and delivered an imprisoned ad-
dress to his oolleagues-picturing the
humiliation and degradation into
which the House was allowing itself
to be dragged because the clerk, a
mere creature Of the House, its servant,
chose 20 set the authority Of the House
at defiance. He declared it within the
power Of the House to compel him to
read the roll II he would not do so
Voluntarily. Another member then
interrupted TO say he was authorized TO
tell the House that the clerk could not
be compelled and was ready to resign
before he would read the roll for New
Jersey. To this Mr. Adams replied:
Then let him resign, and we may
possibly find some way by which we can
get along without the aid of his all
powerful talents, learning and genius.
If we cannot organize in any other way
if this clerk OF yours will not consent
/ n Our discharging the trusts confded IN
by our constituents, then let us ini-
taCe the example Of the Virginia House
CT Burgesses, which, when the colonial
/ Gov. Dinwiddie ordered it TO disperse,
refused to obey the imperious and in
sulting mandate, and like mem"
Here the voice Of the indignant old
man was lost in a shout of approval
from all parts Of the chamber. The
hour and the man had come to pave
| the way for the House TO proceed with
! its legislative duties. Having thus
awakened the House TO a sense Of the
shame attached to the Wrangling, he
presented a molten requiring the clerk
TO call New Jersey. He was Immediately
assailed by many voices, asking how
the question should be put. The voice
Of Mr.. Adams was heard high above
the turnult-"I intend to put the ques-
| ton myself"
Voted Right TO Preside.
At that, Representative Rhett Of
South Carolina jumped upon one of the
desks, waved his hands and shouted:
Il move that the Hon. John Quincy
Adams take the chair Of the Speaker Of
the House and oficiate as presiding ON.
Ger till the House be organized by the
election Of its constitutional officers. A:
many as are agreed to this will say
| aye He never completed the SEN
tence. for one tremendous shout Of aye
went up and Mr.. Adams was conducted
TO the chair in one Of the most spirited
elections ever held In any Legislative
body in all the worlds history. He pre-
sided until Representative Eunter OF
v!-gin,a was elected Speaker by the