Congressional Trivia

» Mugwump53 - Congressional Trivia Question

Since the formation of political parties, only two men have served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives who were not members of one of the two "major" parties at the time. Name these two "minority party" Speakers.

-- posted by Mugwump53

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» FortBrooke1824 - Henry Clay?

This is so far out of my field of interest. LOL I remember Henry Clay was a Speaker of the House and he tried to be netural.

-- posted by FortBrooke1824

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» Mugwump53 - Re: Henry Clay?

In response to message posted by FortBrooke1824:

No, Henry Clay is not one of the answers. He was always a member of one of the two major parties, usually the one out of power.

Keep trying. A hint: both of these men served before the Civil War.

-- posted by Mugwump53

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» FortBrooke1824 - Thomas Hart Benton?

I don't even know if Benton was a speaker only that you did an article on him and he war prior to the War.
I told you.....I am out of my field. LOL

-- posted by FortBrooke1824

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» Mugwump53 - Re: Thomas Hart Benton?

In response to message posted by FortBrooke1824:

No, it was not Thomas Hart Benton. He was the first person to serve 30 years in the Senate, but I don't believe he ever served in the House of Representatives.

The two men I am thinking of both played a part in the political or military arena before and during the Civil War, although their service as Speaker was earlier in their careers.

-- posted by Mugwump53

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» Mugwump53 - Hint #2

In response to message posted by Mugwump53:

Hint: One was a defeated presidential candidate. The other tried but never got the nomination (in fact, never even came close to getting the nomination).

-- posted by Mugwump53

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» FortBrooke1824 - Well........ then I will try...........

How about the Pathfinder? Fremont I think lost the 56' election for the Republicans. But he does not fit in well with the rest of the critera. If you give me some Civi War clues I'll probably come closer to finding the answer.
As it is now, it sounds like one of two men could have had either politcal or military experience during the War. That about covers everyone.
For my other guess I will say Andrew Johnson.

-- posted by FortBrooke1824

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» Mugwump53 - Hint #3

In response to message posted by FortBrooke1824:

One of the men was governor of a major state at the start of the Civil War, and served as a major general of volunteers during the war. He was one of the only Union generals to defeat Stonewall Jackson.

-- posted by Mugwump53

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» FortBrooke1824 - Well now

Not too many Generals could say they beat up on ole Stonewall. But it does seem to me that Jackson did fight a battle on a Sunday something that he did not do unless forced too. And he lost that battle and it was in the Valley if I remember right. Keanstown sounds familiar. This is probably not right but I'll say Banks.

-- posted by FortBrooke1824

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» FortBrooke1824 - After thinking

Banks never defeated Jackson. It was Shields who defeated him at Kernstown, VA.

Shields was a polictal general for some Northern State. I must admit I don't know much about him although I don't think he was born in America.

-- posted by FortBrooke1824

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