, 1862-02-20
Death OF Gov. Pennington, of New
1ErSETe

Jersey
The death OF William Pennington, formerly
Governor of New Jersey, and late Speaker Of
the United States House OF Representatives,
breaks another Of tie links that connected the
pr1sent with past age in our political history.
The event occurred on Sunday, the 18th inst,
Of typhoid fever, ut his residence III Newark,
in tic Goth year Of his age.
: Gov F. was j lawyer and identified himself,
at an early aye, with the affairs of his native
State His political afiinliies were with Clay
and Webster in the contests which gave risc
to the WliS party. lie was member Of the
Legislature in carly life, and in 1887 was made
Governor OF the Statc.-a station to which 1c
| Eus.re-elceted i've or six times by the Legis1a-
turc, under the old Constitution
Willie in that Office he acquired national
reputation in connection with tic celebrated
| ttBroad Seal'' Of New Jersey.
| The first session Of the Twcnty-sixth Cou-
| yress commenced on the 2l Of December,
1889; but, in consequence Of the clerk refus-
| ing to cali the names Of the five New jersey
t members, whose seats were contested, the
| House remained unoryanized until the 10TH Of
| that month; when r. N. 7. Hunter was elect
| cd speaker. In the meantime, John Quincy
Adams was chosen Temporary chairman
| On the l7tb, the members were sworn ill.,
with the exception Of the five New jersey
members. who, exhibiting Oh their certificates,
which were signed By Gov. Pennington, the
't!broad seal'' OF New Jersey, demanded their
right to be sworn, contending that that cvi-
dencc was conclusive in their favor.
This gave rise to animated debate, which
lasted Until the 31st, when the House complct-
cd its organization By electing clerk, and on
the following day President Van Burcn sent iu
his annual message. "
Mr. Pennington soon after resigned the
Goyernorskip and returned to the bar. Tres
ident Taylor appointed him Governor Of Min
nesota, but Gov. T. declined the honor Ht
also declined the appointment IS Que Of thu
| Judges for the settlement Of claims with MeXl
co, rendered him by President Fillmore.
In conscnting TO be 4 candidate for Congres:
in 1855 he yielded to tic wishes Of his friends
, He was elected by the ssPcop1e's pafty'' Il
represent tho Fifth Congressional District Q
: New Jersey, which Included Essex, Hudson
and Union counties.
Alter severe contest of about eight week
: for the election Of speaker-one Of the mos
G memorable af1itirs in Congressional history
| the Republicans FILLING to secure that positio
:. for Mr. Sherman, OH the suggestion of thu
n gentleman Mr.. Pennington was nominated O
n The 30th Of January, 1S60, as the Republiea
5 candidate for Speaker, and On inc flrst banc
CHOICE. On tie 1st day Of February 1T vote
only were necessary, which Mr.. z. received
il and was declared elected
:. At the close Of the Th1Tty Sixth Congress
. Speaker Pennington briefly alluded to the c,
= i1aordinary scenes Which had been witncsse
= during ihe session-seyeral States having the
). seeded, and I'LL their members with singl
;, exccption) having left the hall He said l
i lad been devoted friend of the Union Of I'll
!. States, and favorable to any just and -llber
: compromise. and therefore tue report Of tt
= committee of the t]1irt5-thrcc in favor Of
convention Of al the States to settle all actu
b or supposed grievances between the North an
C the South, had met Ills cordial approval. !!
IS the same time, he expressed his conrictio
;. that no tcnablc ground had been assigned fl
- dissolution Of The Union.