Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-02-02
Excitement in Congress !
A SPEAKER CHosEN--ALMOsT
WARRINGTON, Friday Jan 27, lSG'


This has been the most exciting and event
full day of the session. The Southern Amerl-
cans held a caucuS ct | o'clock and agreed
to nominate Mr. VIM. \. II. Smith OF North
Carolina, upon whom a combination had been
proposed aud attempted daring the last ten
days. Before the voting commenced, appeals
were made to various Opposition Members of
the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Delegations
to compliment Mr. Smith with assurances that
he could not receive the Democratic vote
When this had been accomplished, Mr.. Nal
lory, of Kentucky, Informed the House if the
Democrats would now fulfill their previous pro-
feSsionS by changing to Mr. Smith he could be
elected.
Having been TAINTED with Mr.. Gilmer'S de-
feat on two occasions, the Southern wing OF
the marty Immediately wheeled into line, one
after the other explaining the reason for alb
andoning their own candidate. MeSsrS. Horace
Clark. Larrabee, and others, followed suit, but
John Cochrane arrested the stampede by
brief speech, obecting to Mr.. Smith, because
he was elected to Congress in opposition to
Democrat When it became apparent, if the
Democratic vote would be concentrated, the
result would be c0nSummated, every influence
was brought to bear upon individual members.
Finally. the result was about being announced
when fourteen Western and Northern Demo
Gratis had not recorded themselves for Mr..
Smith, and Mr. Keitt took the floor to speak
against time to allow persuasive influences to
be exerted
Most of the Democratic Senators appeared
on the floor within half an hour, and every re-
fractory Democrat was subjected to personal
manipulation until MesSrs. Adrain, j q. Davis
Holman, and Allen only stood out. Mr..
Morris of Illinois, who like John COchranp re-
sisted at first, caved in Messrs. Cox, Nalan
dgham, Pendleton, Howard Martin, ana
the like, who, but few minutes before, had
distinctly pledged themselves not to vote for
Mr. Smith, turned ronnd and ate their words.
During the delays which occurred in the pro
preSs Of a single ballot, which lasted over three
hours, three questions were addressed to Mr..
Smith in writing concerning his knOw-Noth-
ing antecedeuts, which he answered categori-
osally aye or nay. Those answers were hand
ed round privately by John Cochraue, and pro
duced the changes. Both the American and
Democratic friends Of Mr. Smith advised him
not to answer any questions on the floor, and
while The former voted for him as one OF their
Order and nominee, Democrats supported him,
ueQNlDI ludI uc Us Gl LAluGIICdu COIuCDONN y
must have been cheated.
When the changes on the Democratic side
had closed, Mcssrs Junkius, Morris Scranton,
and Wood OF Pennsylvania, and Mr.. NiXcn of
New Jersey, who had voted in compliment only
changed from Mr. Smith, ana thus disappont-
ed the expectation of Mr.. Smiths election
Mr.. Millward retained his position.
These transfers produced much SenSation.--
The Democrats became exceedingly indignant,
forgetting they had on former occasion pledg-
cd themselves not to support any candidate
who received Republican aid, and assigned
that as a reason for not electing Mr.. Gilmer.
When the Clerk announced the result, Mr..
Smith lacked three of an election, and our
friends, who had been much exercised during
the progress of the changes, drew long breaths
Of relief, and the House adjourned till Monday
to give both parties time to prepare fora final
struggle.
Mr.. Sherman has called a conference of his
friends for tomorrow at , clock, and will
withdraw if another candidate can be elected
lie has been prepared to do so for fortnight
and was only restrained by the fact that addi-
tional votes had no. been demonstrated upon
Messrs Pennington, Corwin, or Morris, as mad
repeatedly beef promised Mr. Pennington
will probably be nominated, as likely to com
mand the largest vote.
Mr. Smith will be dropped, and the South
Americans allowed to select Democrats upon
whom they can unite-Millson most likely
The whole power Of the Administration will be
brought to bear. If Messrs Holman, Allen,
and j G. Davis are brought in, it is probable
that the election will tGrn on a single vote.
Messrs. Riggs and Scranton, both of whom
are committed to Mr.. Pennington, were pair
ed off to-day, and Err. Reynolds was absent
impaired. Mr. Briggs committed himself pnb-
lcly fortnight ago to Mr.. Pennington, but
is doubtful. Mr. Maclay consented to pair
with Clark b. Cochranc, to day, in a bccom-
ing recognition of the previous liberality on
our side. But the latter is not yet paired for
Monday. The whole development to day re-
suited from an accidental demonstration of
Pennsylvania members on Mr.. Smith. Had
their votes been withheld he would not have
reached with him twenty five Of an election
The eypCriment was iIEtimed and unfortunate