Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-02-02


Mr.. Smith, Of Va, before voting, wanted to
pnt q question to Mr. Morris, of Pa It was
whether the inteTrogatory to Mr. Smith, of N.
G., as to how he would constitute the Com.
Of Ways aud Means, PrOPOunded by Mr.. Nor
ris, was not made uLtIl after Mr.. Smith rad
been elected, and he wished to know whether
the gentleman from South Carolina, (Mr.
Gilmer,) had not said, as was reported, that be
would rather have a conservative Republican
{ r Speaker than vote for q Democrat.
Mr. Gilmer. l answer with pleasure.
never said any such thing
Mr. Smith. l vote for Mr. McClernand
Mr. Barksdale said be voted for that gentle:
man. with the assurance that if the whole
Democratic vote was given to him he might be
elected, but he desired to say that in so voting
he had no intention Of endorsing Mr. McCleI..
nands squstter sovereignty views. He asked
Mr. Leach whether, if all the Democrats voted
for Mr.. McCemand, all the votes of that gen:
tleman's party would be given for him.
Mr.. Leach replied that he was sincerely de
sirous Of detecting the Republican candidate.
He could not say whether all his political
friends would vote for Mr. McClernand or net.
Mr.. Barksdale replied that by concentration
of votes Mr.. Pennington could be defeated. II
Mr. Pennington could be elected on this ballot
Mr.. McClernand will be responsible for Mr.
Penington's election.
Mr.. Skinner objected to the gentleman's
proceedings.
Mr.. Barksdale said he was not violating any
agreement in speaking. The vote had already
been taken.
The clerk remarked that Mr. Barksdale had
obtained the floor by unanimous consent to
make his explanations.
Mr.. Barksdale concluded his remarks saying,
unless Mr.. McClernand's vote was now in
creased in the manner suggested Mr.. Pennington
would be elected, as one gentleman, Mr.. Briggs
had declared that be should in certain eontin-
gency, vote for him
Mr.. Mallory asked whether he understood
Mr. Barksdale to say that Nj. McClernsnd could
be elected by combination of the Democrats
and South Americans vote!
Mr. Barksdale-I say by such a union Mr..
Pennington can be defeated.
Mr. Sherman made the remark that all this
discussion was out Of order
Mr. Hill said that Mr.. Keitt had made a faS
vOrable show Of Mr. Pennington.
| Mr. Barksdale said if Mr. Pennington was
elected the representatives of slavehOlding
constituency would be responsible for it. But
withoJ the vote of Mr. Davis of Nd, Mr.. PEN
nington could not be elected That gentleman
too was a member ofthe American party.
Mr.. Sherman again called Mr. Barksdale to
order.
There was much confusion throughout these
proceedings.
Mr. Moore of Ala, began to speak.
Mr.. Sherman-dOes the gentleman propose
to change his vote!
Mr. MOOre-you have no right to ask that
question.
Mr. sherman-I enter my solemn protest
against the gentleman's making a speech
Mr. Moore don't acknowledge the right of
the gentleman to interrupt me.
Mr.. Sherman-I insist upon the point. will
not withdraw my objection.
Mr. Moore-The gentleman has no right to
be snarling here.
The Clerk said the gentleman had right to
object.
MF. Cox-I ask my colleague to withdraw
his objections It will facilitate the ballot
Mr. MooIe-I ask no favor. will not be in
suited by him.
The Clerk said he could assign reasons for
changing his vote
Mr.. Sherman, with that understanding with
drew his objection.
Mr. Moore denounced those who had acted
with him, who had in any degree contributed
to the election Of a Republican. If others
would agree be would stay here till the 4th of
March, 1861 before he would let q Republican n
! fill the Speakers Chair, but he was sure that
could not be accomplished. He had the high
personal respect for Mr.. McClornand, but diff
fered with him on an important question. He
therefore voted for Mr. Boyck.
Mr.. Davis, Of Miss, had not voted for the
man, Mr.. McClernsnn, but for the country,
Mr. Florence had been governed By patriotic
motives in voting for McCernand.
Mr. Briggs, who was one of the tellers, said
lust before tho result ofthe vote was announced
II ri,e for the purpose of changing my vote.
It will be recoIlected that day or two since l
made statement as to what might do IN a
certain contingency. That contingency has
now arrived. It now becomes me TO state my
reasons for the vote l am about to give
The time has come when my vote will elect a
Speaker. have said on several occasions that
/ would cast nv vote for any conservative
gentleman like Mr.. Pennington or Mr. COrwin.
Mr. Pennington now has lI6 voths, and III will
elect him, give my vote to gentleman whom
am assured will act fairly and impartial to all
sections of the country. Aware Of the respon
sibilty which / assume in so doing, Mr. Clerk,
| now withdraw my vote from Mr. McClemand
of Illinois, and cast it for Mr VIM Pennington,
Of New Jersey. prolonged aPplause.)
Mr. Douglas stood at the desk watching Mr.
Briggs during the whole Of his remarks. (lm-
patiert cries of proclaim the vote.')
The vote was then announced:-Whole No.
233; necessary to choice III; Pennington III;
MeOlernand s5; Gilmer l6.
The announcement of the result was follow
ed by applause.
The Clerk declared Mr.. Pennington elected
Speaker of the House.
Mr.. Hindman rose to call the attention of the
country to some fact connected with the
election, but was met by loud and prolonged
cries of order.
Mr.. Grow, elevating his voice to the highest
pitch, said, Speaker having been elected,
nothing is in order till he has been conducted
to the Chair.
Cries of "That's so; let him take his place. "
Tho Clerk sustained Mr.. Crows suggestion,
and appointed Messrs Bocoek and Sherman TO
conduct Mr. Pennington to the Chair.
These gentlemen at once entered upon the
performance Of that duty and escorted him to
the Chair.
The Speaker, amid quiet that strangely
ccntrasted with the excited and disorderly pro-
ceedings which previously prevailed, spoke as
follows:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives
I'll return you my grateful acknowledgements
for the distinguished honor you have been
pleased to confer upon me in eleeting me
Speaker Of this House. Coming here for the
first time at the present session to be associated
with you as a member, no event could have
been more unlocked for than that should be
called upon to preside over your deliberations,
and my friends will do me the justice to say that
I have not sought the position, as certainly
never desired it. l am, nevertheless. as con
! ciOns Of the dignity and importance Of the high