CANNIBALISM IN THE CARS. 29^1 



1 

 " Mr. A. L. Bascom, of Ohio : ' I move that the nominations now close, and that 



the House proceed to an election by ballot.' 



"Mr. Sawyer: 'Gentlemen, — I protest earnestly against these proceedings. 

 They are, in every way, irregular and unbecoming. I must beg to move that they 

 be dropped at once, and that we elect a chairman of the meeting and proper. officers 

 to'assist him, and then we can go on with the business before us understandingly.' 

 "Mr. Bell, of Iowa: 'Gentlemen, — I object. This is no time to stand upon 

 forms and ceremonious observances. For more than seven days we have been 

 without food. Every moment we lose in idle discussion increases our distress. I 

 am satisfied with the nominations that have been made — every gentleman present 

 is, I believe — and I, for one, do not see why we should not proceed at once to elect 



one or more of them. I wish to offer a resolution ' 



" Mr. Gaston : ' It would be objected to, and have to lie over one day under 

 the rules, thus bringing about the very delay you wish to avoid. The gentleman 



from New Jersey ' 



"Mr. Van Nostrand : 'Gentlemen, — I am a stranger among you; I have not 



Sought the distinction that has been conferred upon me, and I feel a delicacy ' 



"Mr. Morgan, of Alabama (interrupting): 'I move the previous question'.' 

 " The motion was carried, and further debate shut off, of course. The motion 

 to elect officers was passed, and under it Mr. Gaston was chosen chairman, Mr. 

 Blake secretary, Messrs. Holcomb, Dyer, and Baldwin, a committee on nominations, 

 and Mr. R. M. Rowland, purveyor, to assist the committee in making selections. 

 " A recess of half an hour was then taken, and some little caucussing followed. 

 At the sound of the gavel the meeting reassembled, and the committee reported in 

 favor of Messrs. George Ferguson, of Kentucky, Lucien Herrman, of Louisiana, 

 and W. Messick, of Colorado, as candidates. The report was accepted. 



" Mr. Rogers, of Missouri : ' Mr. President,— The report being properly before 

 the House now, I move to amend it by substituting for the name of Mr. Herrman 

 that of Mr. Lucius Harris, of St. Louis, who is well and honorably known to us all. 

 I do not wish to be understood as casting the least reflection upon the high char- 

 acter and standing of the gentlenian from Louisiana — far from it. I respedt and 

 esteem him as much as any gentleman here present possibly can ; but none of us 



