The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-02
FpoV AN OCCASIONAL CORREsPON-

WASHINGTON, February l, 1850.
The telegraph will, ere this, have informed you
of the election of Ex-Governor Pennington, of New
Jersey, as Speaker of the House of Representatives
after the most protracted contest in the history of
the Government; but the incidents OF the day may |
not be without interest When Mr. Winter Davis
on Yesterday deserted his party and apostatized to
the Republicans, it was felt that the struggle was
near its termination; vote only being needed to
elect The Democrats, in order to obtain breath |
ing SPELL and time to look about them, secured an
adjournment with the understanding that to day
should be devoted to ballotlng. Last night was
spent in caucusng, and it was generally under
stood that unless McClernand could concentrate
so large support to-day as to give hope OF his Ill
innate success, Briggs, of New York, and Riggs,
of New Jersey, would feel compelled, In view OF
their private pledges, and public declarations to
vote for Pennignton. To be sure there was a for
lorn hope that the long expected Stallworth-the
Grouchy of the Democratic party-mlght arrive In
time To nroduce tie; but this was little depended
mon. and every effort was made, to induce the
Southern Democrats and Americans, who objected
to Netherlands squatter- sovereignty views, to
come forward to his support, so as to enable Briggs
| and Riggs to hold out some time longer. HOW
unsuccessful this effort was the result of to- day has
! shown.
| At the hour of meeting this morning the attend
ance the Republican side was full, and the gale
! ries were crowded to their utmost capacity. The
| Jewish Rabbi Raphael, opened with an impressive
PRAYER an event, which, from its novelty, (no Is
raeiite having before oliicated in the House)
excited no little attention. The sheet journal hav-
| inc been read, the Democrats moved a call OF the
| House in order to give their men time to get in,
after which the ballot commenced. When Briggs
name was reached he gave hisavote for McClernand
| This was expected, and it was whispered that he
would change before the result was declared
When Winter Davis name was called, he again
voted for Pennington and this, though not unex-
pected created sensation. The South Americans
| md tha Carolina a.
| bamians still refused to vote for McCernand.-
| Then the Democrats began to despond. The cleo
! ton of Pennington was staring them in the lace
| Mr. Barksdale rose to make last appeal and ad-
dressed his remarks to the South Americans. He
! told them that unless Mr. McClernard obtained
concentration of the entire Democratic and South
| American vote, there gentlemen who would
change to Mr.. Pennington. Ii the latter should
thus be elected the responsibility must rest upon
the Americans Mr.. Gilmer and others replied to
the effect that they could not help how others might
choose to vote-they could not support MIR. Nc
| Clernand.
Moore of Alabama, then desired to make per-
sona explanation. Sherman objected, and appealed
| to the Clerk. The latter ruled that Moore could
only speak by unanimous consent Moore INSISTED
| on speaking, when some sharp passages occurred
between him and Sherman Finally Moore an
nounced that he intended to change his vote, and
upon that was allowed to make his explanation
He declined being held responsible for the election
of a Republican Speaker because he did not vote
for McClernand, and then voted for Miles, OF South
Carolina. A long pause succeeded, but the South
ern men still refused to come forward. Loud cries
now came from the Republican benches to declare
the ballot. At this juncture Mr.. Briggs, of New
York who had been acting as one OF the tellers,
arose at the Clerks desk and announced that he
was about to change his vote. The House, which
before had been turbulent and noisy, was now
hushed into silence. Mr. Briggs, with great EN-
barrassment of manner then proceeded to state his
position. He was American and represented an
American district, but had announced early in the
H. TN fnnn fnIp 0nnnn N
conservative views who affiliated with the Repub
cans Gov. Pennington one of those, and in order
terminate this protraced contest and relieve the
country, he would change his vote from Mr.
| McClernand to Pennington. This announcement
was greeted with immense applause by the Re
publicans and their sympathiZers in the gallery
and with Kisses from the Democratic members
Many of the Republicans crowded around Briggs
to express their thanks, and for while there wal
general commotion. fiery gentleman from thu
South arose to make some remarks but what ht
attempted to say was drowned by shouts of "order
ORDER" and he was finally pulled down by the Goa
tails by some friend behind him. The Clerk theI
desired MIR. BOcock, of Virginia, and Mr. Sherman
of Ohio 1.-THE rival candidates in the early part o
the session. to conduct Mr.. Pennington to thu
Chair, which they did. Mr. P.'s salutatory wa
!, well conceived and well delivered. He is portly
dgniied gentleman of some go or 65 years, ant
possesses full sOnorous voice when he chooses t.
exert it. He is as acceptable 10 the Democrats a
any that side, and is said to be in favor o
the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law.
Thus has ended a contest which will ever b
memorable in Congressional annals. 1t has le
to the exhibition of bad blood and has served to wi
den the divisions between the different parties. 1t
result will be manifest throughout the session.
Already the organization of the committees i
spoken of, and Mr.. Sherman will almost certain
be appointed Chairman of the Ways and Means
= which post gives him the leadership of his part
in the House His influence over his part
friends was strongly manifest in the wit
which he transferred them nadSse from himself
Pennington.
The leading competitors for the Clerkship ar
l Forney, and Allen, the present incumbent. Th
former cannot get the Republican vote unless he re
cedes from his engagement to support Judge Doug
las if nominated at Charleston. Hon. II. W. Hof
man will be the American candidate. Glossbrer
ners advances to members will probably secure hi
recollection Sergeant-at-Arms.
The President, it is stated, is about to send in
message to Congress, recommending the promp
e construction of Pacific Railroad. 1t is under
stood that he will advocate both Northern an
Southern Road, for portion of the distance q
| least.
s Senator johnson, of Tenn, by consent of b
committee, will shortly report his Homestead bi
{ | in the Senate.
Mr.. Seward will define his position on the slave
e nv issue, in carefully prepared speech, durin
l the early part of next week. p.