The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-02-09

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 enter my solemn
protest against the gentleman making
a speech.
MIR. Moore-I don't acknowledge the
right of the gentleman to interrupt me.
Mr.. Sherman insist upon this point.
/ will not withdraw my objection.
Mr.. Moore-The gentleman has no
right to be snarling here.
The Clerk said the gentleman had a
right to object.
MIR. Cox-I ask my colleague to with
draw his objection. 1t will facilitate
the ballot.
Mr.. Moore-I ask no favor. l will
not be indebted to him.
The Clerk said he could assign rea-
sons for changing his vote.
Mr.. Sherman with that understand
ing withdrew his objection.
Mr.. Moore denounced those who had
acted with him who had in any degree
contributed to the election of Repub
lican. If others would agree, he would
stay here till the 4th of March, 1861,
before he would let a Republican fill
the Speakers chair but he was sure
that that could not be accomplished.
He had the highest personal respect for
Mr.. McClernand, but differed with him
on an important question. He there
fore voted for Mr.. Boyce.
Mr.. Davis, of Miss, had not voted
for the man, McClernand, but for the
country.
Mr.. Florence had been governed by
patriotic motives in voting for Mr.. Nc
Clernand.
Mr.. Briggs, who was one of the tel
lers, said before the result of the vote
was announced, rise for the purpose
of changing my vote. 1t will be recol-
lected that a day or two since l made
statement as to what / might do in a
certain contingency. That contingent
cy has now arrived, and it becomes me
to state my reasons fer the vote am
about to give. The time has come
when my vote will elect Speaker. l
have said on several occasions that
could cast my vote for any conservative
gentleman like Mr.. Pennington or Mr..
Corwin. Gov. Pennington now has
116 votes, and III will elect him. l
give my vote to gentleman whom |
am assured will act fairly and impair
tally to all sections of the country
Aware of the responsibility which as
sumo in so doing, Mr.. Clerk, / now
withdraw my vote from Mr.. McCler-
nand, of ILL.,, and cast it for Mr.. Will
liam Pennington, of New Jersey.
Prolonged applause.
Mr.. Douglas stood at the desk
watching Mr.. Briggs during the whole
of his remarks.
The vote was then announced:
Whole number Of votes 23S
Pennington III
McClernand IS
Gilmer Is
Scattering 9
The announcement of the result was
| followed by applause.
The Clerk declared Mr.. Penning ton
elected Speaker.
Mr.. Hindman rose to call the atten-
ton of the country to some facts con-
nected with the election, but was met
by loud and prolonged cries of "order."
Mr.. Grow, elevating his voice to the
highest pitch. A Speaker has been
elected, nothing is in order till he has
been conducted to the chair. Cries
Of that's SO. Let him take his place. I
The Clerk sustained Mr.. Grows sug-
gestion, and appointed Messrs. Bocock
and Sherman to conduct Mr.. Penning-
ton to the chair. These gentleman at
once entered upon the performance of
their duty, and escorted him to the chair.
The Speaker, amid quiet that
strongly contrasted with the excited
and disorderly preceding which pre-.
viously prevailed, spoke as follows:
Gentleman Of tho House Of Repre-
se'atatives II return you my grateful
Acknowledgements for the distinguished
honor you have been pleased to confer
upon me in eleoting me Speaker of the
House. Coming here for the first time
at the present session to be associated
with you as 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 justice to say that / have not
sought the position, as l certainly new
err desired it. l am nevertheless as
conscious of the dignity and Importance
of this high Office as any gentleman
can be, but should have beer far better
pleased could its duties have been en-
trusted TO other and more experienced
hands.
After witnessing the almost insur-
mountable obstacles in the way of an
organization of the House, came to
the conclusion that any gentleman of
any party who could command ma
Ijority of the votes for Speaker, was
bound in Difference to the public ext
gencies to accept the responsibility as
an act of patriotic duty, whether it as
agreeable to his feelings or not. As
shat choice has unexpectedly fallen on
me, have not hesitated to accept it.
In the execution of this high trust,
my object will be to do my duty with
l,,o,orx;,1;tx, opd ;uet;oo A. III r Il III