New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-02-03

ID anssly Is nyor Ill last. Alter Two months |
spent In idle attempts ID organize, ths House Of
Represent dives o Tuesday last, elected William,
Panning ION, Ex-Governor III New Jersey, 10 the
posits Sd n Speaker Gov. Pennington was elected
az lid fortysfourth ballot III majority having
received IIs Votes This result WAS accomplished
BIZ tlhe gaing over to hss side of John r, Riggs,
ansELeoompton Democrat from New Jersey, and
oil Henry Winter Davis, American, from Balt
more, 1t was hailed with some tokens of rejoicing
by TIL Republican politicians III Washington but
Ne aga told that tho most farssighted leaders Of
tAat party regard The withdrawal Of Sherman as q
substantial defeat and one that presages the final
overthrow, III November, of the Republican candi-
date for tho Presidency.
William Pennington, Tie newly chosen Speaker,
II his aDtecedenta Gan be relied On in forming d
correct estimate of his character, ii probably az
unohjsctionable a man 10 the South as ii was pos
sibie Tor Che Republicans To have selected IN Con
gress. He il, undoubtedly tinctared with anti
slavery notions but his past history has been free
from ultraistn, and Id his acts and words he has
ever shown disposition to respect the rights Of
the South. He was not elected to his seat in Con
| gress from New Jersey al d Republican, but run
on the Opposition ticket, which united ID its
support all the opposing elements to the Admins
tration Democracy. whether Republican Ameri-
\ can, OH Anti ecempton Democrats. Hence we
/ have reasonable room FOR the hope that in his ad-
minstraton 81 The ofise HE will BE conservative,
and free from partisan prejaaicss and ssperities.
4 On the score Of personal character Coy. Penning-
4 ton has ever borne an unspetted reputation. He
Is not man ,of brilliant qualities Or commanding
abilities, but possesses wen balanced mind, sound
/ Judgment and industrious habits. Werepeat then,
We we're compelled to take the Speaker from the
Republicans, we should be well satisfied ut not get
ting worse man than Goy. Pennington.
\ The election of Pennington, it il presumed, will
/ give the Republicans the control Of the House
committees, which, during the Presidential cam
paign, will be important. iii auditing claims, APP
proving plans for expenditures. etc. the eharnlen
and nlajorities Of committees wsld considerable
power that we sorry 10 see pass into the hands
Of the foes of the South. Little or no popular
prestige viii be gained, however. It il too plainly
seen that this victory cost excessively dear. 10
get their ship into port the Black Republicans had
10 threw over their declared programme, throw
over Sherman, throw Helper, throw over even
partisan Repnbiieanism ITSELF and then barely
rubbed along to success. Surely no great amount
of popular Republican enthusiasm can be stirred
| up By snch victory rs this.
Now that the House i organized, let Us hope
that il will devote itself 70 tho performance d i'll
| legitimate duties. with an energy and assidnity
| that will go some way toward compromising for
the time That has been lost. Nearly all the De.
partments d The Government are in tlemoralized
condition The Postal Department, especially, il
1 ID the utmost CONFUSION. The failure Of the last
Congress ~ make the necessary appropriations 10
carry that braucii Of tie public service, aud the
delay Of the present Congress to organize. have
caused great embarrassment among the contract
orss resulting. in many instances, III the ruin 81 IN
4 disiauals and the stoppage q particular mails.
This matter needs prompt strengthening ont, and
We nope Congress will devote itself to The task at
once. Let the opposing politicians in the House
enter into temporary truce and give their united
! attention now to the crying necessities Of the
country.