The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-28
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
Important Proceedings in the
House Of Representatives.
AN EXTRAORDINARY AND EXCITING SCENE.

Prolonged and Desperate Struggle for
the Speakership.
Union Of the Democrats and Southern 0pposi-
ton Upon an Old Line Wing,
TO-, &C.. 90.
Our Special Washington Despatch.
- WASHINGTON, Jan. q, $780,
THE CONTEST FOR sPkAxERsmP.
The ventilation process in the House today brings light
out of darkness demonstrates to Mr. Sherman that he
cannot be elected Six of his friends from Pennsylvania
and New Jersey went 10 Mr. Smith, OF North Carroll
ma tantalze the democrats than from any sup
position that the latter would concentrate upon Mr.
Smith, he being American; but, TO the
CONSERVATION of those gentlemen, all Of. the
democrats except Messrs Holman and Davis Of In
diana, and Allen Of Ohio voted for him. which would have
elected him had not five of the Sherman taken the
back track and changed their votes from Smith to Corwn
and Pennington. They did not do until Mr. Sherman
rose and recorded his vote for Oorwn, making aad
tonal vote necessary choice which the signal Of
danger
The democrats were highly indignant at the course
thus pursued by the five Sherman men, mas
much as the votes Of the latter were viewed
as challenge The democrats representing
districts containing large share Of foreign voters
accepted the challenge and voted for Mr. Smith, aud did
30 in good faith, believing that their votes were only
wanting TO elect Mr. Smith Mr.. Clark, Of New York.
voted with the democrats Mr. Smith. II the sub
ect Of remark that the leading friends Of Mr. Breckn
ridge for the Charleston nomination among the
active in their efforts 10 elect Mr. Smith.
The given by Of the Northern democrats
in the presence Of Mr. Smith, for voting for him, that be
initiated into the Know Nothing Order and did
not entertain sympathy with the principles Of Amer
causm rrated the feelings Of Of the Americans -
such extent that had the election Of Mr. Smith depend
ed upon the vote Of Of his American friends he would
have been defeated unless he dsavowed the expression
alluded 10.
Mr. Adrain refused IN vote for Mr. Smith, Southern
whg because he understood him to be in favor Of protect
ing slavery in the Territories says no will for
Northern wing, like Governor Pennington, which he will
probably have opportunity Of doing Monday.
The House engaged about four hours today
upon ballot. Much time consumed in
buncombe speeches, while unruly members were
being nursed and brought TO the scratch. The
greatest excitement prevailed, not only in the
and among the spectators in the galleries. but cx
tended throughout the whole city So evident did Il
al one time that Mr. Smith would be elected, that tee
graphic dispatches sent to all parts Of the country
announcing that he elected. Indeed, the members
themselves made preliminary arrangements for con-
ducrg Mr. Smith the chair, and there s doubt that
the gentleman himself had prepared the speech Of hsnks
| for bis debut
The record shows that impossible for Mr.. Saith
to be elected even had Holman, Davis and Allen voted
/ for him in
have also changed from Smith TO Pennington and defeat
| ed Smith.
Another vote would have been had to-day, and Mr..
Pennington would have been the candidate, had not
Messrs Sraton, republican, and Riggs, anti Iecompton
democrat, paired Off and left the city Although they
made the pair opponents, they are both understood
to be in favor Of Pennington. They have been sent for
and will be here on Monday Mr.. Briggs has heretofore
been quoted for Pennington, but says to night he shall
| vote for Smith as long as be is a candidate.
At the request Of Mr. Sherman his friends will meet
him The ball of the House, at twelve o'clock to morrow,
consider what they shall pursue In the future
The prevailing opinion to night is that Governor Pennng
ton will be the candidate OF the republicans, and viii be
! noninated by MIR. Sherman.
Mr. Reynolds has been sent for and will be here on
Monday.
b Ccchrane who is still home sick, is without pair,
and his friends cannot obtain for him. II Mr. Briggs
refuses to vote Pennington there can be no election
unless C. B. Cochrane is paired or Mr. Davis, Of Mary
land will vote for Pennington.
The democrats talking Of giving their votes
the next ballot for Mr. Mson, and some Of the Ameri-
cans smartng under the defeat Of today declare they
| are ready to vote for a democrat.
Many 81 the republicans would like To vote for Corwn.
others for Hickman but is evident frcm the canvas o.
opinion light that Pennington reach more out
side of shermans strength than any other man. and the
friends of Sherman will not object to him if the majority
| OF the republicans declare for him.
When the House met this morning it was not deemed
possible by any combination Of circumstances to concen
trate The clements opposed to Mr. Sherman upon any
man. for the Americans had just adjourned, after pro-
rac,ed caucus which six of them declared openly they
never would support a democrat But to-days proceed
nes show that there spirit above mere party and for
the sake Of an organization were willing TO come
together and elect national man
tits extremely doubtful whether the democrats Will
continue n support Mr.. Smith, OF North Carolina There
Is disposition among of them TO leave him and take
up democrat They say the Americans are bound try
their men, nasmuch as the democrats have car
ried out their part Of the arrangement
The republicans and democrats equally sanguine Of
electing their man.
COMPLIMENTARY sERENADE.
Carl Shurtz, German republican orator. OF Wisconsin,
here and serenaded at Gsrhardts House tonight
by sangerbund Of the Turner Society and Mozart Band
and waited upon by large delegation Of the Tur
ners and responded in speech in German, appealing
his counymen be true to the great ruling idea Of the
German mind, and sacrifice the principles Of free
DOM though standing in the very citadel OF the slave
power. He and his remarks enthusiastically
ceived.
sEwARp's RECEPTION.
Mr. Seward hada public reception at his residence TO-
| night which was numerously attended.
PRINTING sPona
Weed Wendell and Mattisons Aston House slate was
finally demolished to-day 10 the great CONSERVATION Of
large lobby most Of whom will have 70 retire minus the
| spoils.
| THE ADMISSION KANHAs.
| General Pomroy and Judge Army are now here, co.