“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. Howland, purveyor, to assist the committee in making selections.

“A recess of half an hour was then taken, and some little caucusing 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 character and standing of the gentleman from Louisiana far from it.  I respect and esteem him as much as any gentleman here present possibly can; but none of us can be blind to the fact that he has lost more flesh during the week that we have lain here than any among us—­none of us can be blind to the fact that the committee has been derelict in its duty, either through negligence or a graver fault, in thus offering for our suffrages a gentleman who, however pure his own motives may be, has really less nutriment in him—­’

“The chair:  ’The gentleman from Missouri will take his seat.  The Chair cannot allow the integrity of the committee to be questioned save by the regular course, under the rules.  What action will the House take upon the gentleman’s motion?’