The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-03
The Contest for Speaker.

oil Representatives., has terminated IN the
election Of Mr.. Pennington, of New Jersey,
a conservative Republican. The result
was not free from doubt, however, al our
last advices, as some new combination OF
The pro-slavery elements nigh, defeat him.
The Republicans came very near suffering
an humiliaiing dereat,on Friday last. The
events of that day are thus recorded by
correspondent Of the New York Times
As had predicted some days ago. Mr.
Smith, Of North Carolina. was put in nomi.
nation, aud received five Republican votes.
The Americans next came to his standard
and lastly the Democrats wheeled into line
and as thoy did 80 tho excitement became
iutense State after State, and Democrat
after Democrat, followed IN support OF Mr.
Smith aud as each vote was announced. u
round Of applause went up from floor and
galleries. Ii appeared evident That an Uec.
zion would bo had, aud tho interest was
every moment increasing. At last it was
ascertainod that Mr.. Smith had hundred
and fttocn votes a hundred and fourteen
being necessary to u choice. Before the
vote had bocn announced it was arranged
that Messrs. BOcuck and Sherman should
cbnlhUs the speaker to tho CHAIR
The fact of an election seemed too good to
be true. Tho hope was indeed delusiyr,
for discovering that Mr. Smith was actually
elected, as tho vote stood. MIR. Mcpherson, d,
OF Ponns ylvania, who had led off iu support
of Mr.. smith, got up and changed his vote.
withdrawing it from MIR Smith and casting
it for Mr.. COrwin Mr.. Morris and Mr..
Scranton followed suit, thus reducing Mr.
Smiths vote to hundred aud twelve. Mr.
sherman then voted for the first time. which
rendered hundred aud fifteen necessary
to II choice. Tho Democrats then rndra
vored 10 obtain three votes moro, and to
again elect Mr. Smith. Now Mr.. Cox, of
Ohio. came to tho rescue, and Mr.. Holman.
of Iudiana, agreed to do likewise, provided
the third man could DO obiaiued.
Every possible influence was brought to
bear upon Allon. of Ohio, and Davis, of In-
diana, but without etfcc.. and the result was
announced Mr.. Smith ll2; Mr.. Sherman.
l06. Had Mir. Smith himself not voted he
would still have b0en elected. as tho votes of
Cox and Holman would have been sufficient
Democrats now urged anuther ballot. but
tho Republicans resisted, aud moved an adj
juurnmcnt. Mr.. Stanton, OF Ohio, stated
hlvo another ballot, and theroupon tho
Democrats yielded to u motion to adjourn.
Intense oxctumont prevailed throug hout
the proceedings.
MIR. Sherman is now regarded as out Of
tho ring, ard ho requested his friends to
msut in caucus at noon tomorrow. Ono
iact is worthy Of note, tho South cast II
united vote. save one. for the first tmo 10
4
an old limo Whig-tho last of tho Mnhicans
Tho chances new are that Mr.. Corwin will
bo elected on Monday.
Mr.. Sherman called conference Of his
friends on Saturday, Mt which it was de.
cided 10 withdraw his name, and Mr..
Pennington was nominated.
The House was thronged, on Monday.
by eager spectators Of both sexes, and the
most intense interest and excitement pre-
vailed. Before the members proceeded o
ballot, Mr. Sherman withdrew his name,
in lorcible and manly speech, of which
the telegraph brings the following sketch /:
Mr. Sherman arose amid profound 81,
leuce. He said, throughout this pro.
lonyed contest he had been supported by
large plurality OF his friends-thry till
now had adhered 10 him with a fidelity
and devotion which he respected and
whioh he believed had received the ap.
rlause Of their constituents. They had
stood here undsmayed amid threats Of
disunion and disorganzalIon, conscious Of
the recIilude Of their intentions, firm in
their alteration of the Constitution, and the
Obedience 10 all laws, they had been silent
firm and manly.
On the other hand they had seen their
ancient and national adversaries broken
into Iragments-they have seen scme Of
them combined by written agreements TO
prevent majority Of the House from pre-,
scribing rules for the organization of this
body. They have heard others proclaim
that it Republican should be elected
President of the United States, they would
tear down the fair fabric and break up the
Union of these States, and now they have
seen their ancient adversary, broken, dis.
persed and disorganzed. unite in sup.
porting a gentleman here in open aud
avowed hostility TO their organization
l should regret extremely and believe il
would be national calamity, 10 have any
one who Is supporter directly or indi
rectly Of this Administration or who owed
il allegiance, or favor, or affection, occupy
any position in this House. should re-
gard it as n public calamity to have the
power Of this House, directly or indirectly,
under the control OF this Administration,
and il would be, it seems to me, n fatal
policy 10 trust the control OF gentlemen
who have proclaimed that in any event
and under any circumstances, they would
dissolve the Union OF these States. ! re.
gard it as the highest duty to submerge
personal feelings, and that every man
should sacrifice all private interest for the
good of his country.
| proclaimed here few days ago and
have always stood upon the position
that whenever any OF my political friends
or associates could combine a greater
number of votes than could, l would re
tire from the scene and give him the honor
If there is any honor in the position
occupy. l believe that the time has now
arrived; believe a agreater concentration
can be made on another gentleman, than
upon myself, OF those outside Of the Re :