Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Washington correspondence from November 25, 1843, reports on Congress members arriving, new boarding houses amid reduced numbers, and intense discussions on electing House Speaker (likely Mr. Wilkins over Mr. Dromgoole and Mr. Lewis), Printer, and Clerk. Efforts to avoid caucus system to prevent Van Buren allies' dominance, with Calhoun supporters resisting.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
Correspondence of the Phil. Mercury and Journal.
WASHINGTON, November 25, 1843.
The Members are coming in briskly and the City wears a bustling and active appearance.
During the recess several commodious dwellings have been erected for Boarding House purposes, which, with the fact, that the last ratio reduces the aggregate number in Congress, creates considerable competition in this class of our population. The arrangements, so far as comfort and ease are concerned will be found more accessible this winter at the Capitol, than has been realized for many years.
The principal theme of the day is the election of Speaker, Printer, and Clerk to the House.
The really prominent candidates for the first, are Mr. Wilkins, Mr. Dromgoole and Mr. Lewis.
One of these gentlemen will certainly be elected; and in all probability Mr. Wilkins is destined to be the choice. He is less a partizan than the others, though an equally sterling and substantial Democrat, and is likely to concentrate the calm, judging, and reasonable men of opposite politics.
An effort is making to prevent the adoption of the caucus system, which, from the present condition of the party in the House, would place the whole power in the hands of Mr. Van Buren's friends, and thus deprive the minority of all rights and representation in the important offices. There is nothing in the former usages of the party, which makes the caucus practice either imperative or binding, hence any portion of the party may segregate on this issue and insist upon the different questions being fairly presented to the House. Mr. Calhoun's friends, many of whom are already upon the ground, have come here determined to insist upon every privilege which attaches to them as members of the party and will distinctly and emphatically refuse to go into caucus. If they adhere to their candidates in the House throughout, the Whigs will have the choice between them and the Van Buren branch and have the power to make their own selections in every case, from among the aspirants presented by the majority.
The question of 'Printer' creates unusual excitement.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Washington
Event Date
November 25, 1843
Key Persons
Outcome
election of speaker likely mr. wilkins; efforts to avoid caucus system to ensure minority representation; unusual excitement over printer selection.
Event Details
Members arriving in Washington for Congress; new boarding houses built due to reduced numbers creating competition; main discussions on electing House Speaker, Printer, and Clerk with candidates Mr. Wilkins, Mr. Dromgoole, Mr. Lewis; resistance to caucus system by Calhoun's friends to prevent Van Buren dominance.