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In the campaign for election to his fourth term in 1849, Johnson concentrated on three issues: slavery, homesteads and judicial elections.
He defeated his opponent, Nathaniel G. Taylor, with a greater margin of victory than in previous campaigns.
When the House reconvened, the party schism caused by the Free Soil Party precluded the formation of a majority needed to elect a Speaker.
Johnson proposed adoption of a rule allowing election of a Speaker by a plurality ; the rule was passed and Howell Cobb was so elected.
This commenced one of the most controversial sessions of Congress, as the issue of slavery took front stage.
The proposed admission to the union of California as a state set off a debate as to whether a prohibition of slavery should be made a condition of admission.
Henry Clay introduced in the Senate a series of resolutions, the Compromise of 1850, to allow admission while addressing concerns of both sides of the issue ; at the same time Johnson introduced a similar more streamlined version of compromise in the House.
Johnson supported the Compromise of 1850 with the exception of its abolition of slavery in the nation's capital.
Also in this term Johnson renewed in vain his efforts to bring the Homestead Bill to a vote.
As Chairman of the Committee on Public Expenditures, he also attempted but failed to reduce by one-fifth all federal salaries over $ 1, 000.
He reprised resolutions for constitutional amendments to provide for 1 ) the direct election of the president, rather than by the electoral college, 2 ) the direct election of U. S. Senators, rather than by state legislatures and 3 ) the limiting of judges ' terms to twelve years.
These were all defeated, by an opposition that included a fellow Tennessean, Isham G. Harris, who later became a bitter enemy.

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