Weekly Trinity journal., 1860-03-03

ELECTION OF SPEAKEE.-The telegraph an
Jersey, was elected Speaker of the House of
REPRESENTATIVES on the I'd of February. He re-
oeived | II votes, and his Democratic competitor,
McClernand, of Illinois, S. The scene during
the balloting is reported to have been exciting
in the extreme. 1t is thus given in the Unions
telegraphic dispatch:
Briggs, of New York, (Amer y who was one of
the teers said, just before the result OF the vote
was announced, % rise for the purpose of chang
ing my vote. 1t will be recoected that a day
or two since | made statement as to what |
might do in a certain contingency. That contin-
gency has now arrived, and it becomes me to
state my reasons for the vote am about to give.
The time has come when my vote will elect q
Speaker. | have said on several occasions that
could cast my vote for any conservative gentle
man like Pennington or Corwin. Pennington
has ll6 votes, and III will elect him. j give
now my vote to gentleman who am assured
will act fairly and mpartiay to all sections of
the country. Aware of the responsibly which |
assume in so doing, Mr.. Clerk | now withdraw
my vote from McClernand, and will cast it for
Pennington, of New Jersey"
Briggs remarks were followed by prolonged
and enthusiastic cheering and impatient cries of
proclaim the VOTE" followed. The vote was
announced, and the Clerk declared Pennington
elected and he was escorted to his chair by Bo-
cock, of Virginia, and Sherman, of Ohio, when
he made the following speech
Gentlemen of the House Of Representatives.
| return you my grateful acknowledgment for
the distinguished honor you have been pleased
TO confer upon me in eleciing me Speaker of this
| bnr fop thn Grpf lima L.
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 ! have not sought the
position, as | certainly never desired it. L am,
nevertheless, conscious of the dignity, and
inheritance of this high office as any gentleman
can be, but should have been far better pleased
could its duties have been intrustod TO able and
more experienced hands. After witnessing the
almost insurmountable obstacles in the way of an
organization of this House, came to the concu-
sion that any gentleman, of any party, who could
command majority of the votes for Speaker
was bound in Difference to public eXgencies to
accept the responsibility as an act of patriotic
duty, whether it was agreeable to his personal
feelings not, as that choice has uneXpec tedly
fallen on me l have now to accept it. In the eX-
ecuton of this high trust, my object will be to
do my duty with impartiality and justice to all.
/ shall have great necessity, gentlemen, for your
indulgence in the position in which am placed,
and | feel entire confidence | shall receive it at
your bands-a Representative from the State of
New Jersey, upon whose soil many brilliant
achievements were accomplished in the Revolu
tonary War; and whose people have ever been
distinguished for devotion to the Union and the
Constitution. pray to the Great Arbitrator of
our destiniea that may do no act to impair the
integrity of either, but that, by wise and prudent
Is m rniU in mn
midst, and our free institutions may be perpetua-
Ted to our descendants. | feel that have "a Ma.
tional heart, embracing all parts of our blessed
Union. Again thanking you for your kindness,
now enter upon the duties Of that arduous and
responsible station.