Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-03-04
Vermont Daily Transcript.
ST. ALBANS, VT.
THURSDAY, MARCH, 4, 1869.
Resignation of Speaker Coiidr.

An impressive scene took place in the
House of Representatives on TUESDAY,
On the occasion of the resignation OF
Hon. Schuyler Colfax as Speaker oil the
Iousc. We are informed that not only
was every scat taken at an carly hour
but the halls and corridors and door
ways were 50 closely packed that II was
impossible to approach within hearing
distance. On the floor every seat was
occupied, there being not more tlan
h If dozen absent members OF the For
tith Congress, while members eject ID
the Forty-First Congress occupied seats
upon the sofas, or stood III the area PACK
of the outer row of seats Speaker Col
fax read his valedictory, which vas
greeted at the conclusion with applause.
The Speaker alluded t. the eventiul
LEGISLATION, which had taken place du-
ring the IA wears he has been associates
with the Representatives of the people
at Washington. He said that III tie
responsible duties of Speaker for the
last six wears he had cndeavorcd to adj
minister with impariiality the ruls unih-
fluenced BIZ political opposition or antag-
onsms. He expressed gratification that
while no decision has been reversed
there has been no appeal, sometimes
taken as they ale by minority. speak
er Colfax closed as follows:
Asa protest against power under the
H. 81 inritx- xthinl hnS ever been
decided by strictly party vote. lfin
the quickness with which presiding
officer here is often compelled to rule,
hour after hour, on parliamentary points,
and in the performance OF his duty to
protect all members in their rights; to
advance the progress of public business
and to preserve order any word has
fallen from my lips that has has justly
wounded any enc, desire to Withdraw
il unreservedly. | leave this hall with
no feeling of unkindness to any mem
Der with whom i ha been associated
in all the years of the past, having ear
nestly tried to practice that lesson OF
life which command us to write our en-
mites on the sand, but to engravc oui
friendship on the granite. But the last
word cannot longer be delayed. | bid
farewell to the faithful and confiding
constituency, whose af1ectionate regard
has sustained and encom passed me
through all the years of my public life.
Farewell to the hall which in its excite
ments and restless activities 50 often
seemed to represent the throbbings and
intense feelings of the national heart.
And finally fellow members and friends
with sincere gratitude for the generous
support you have always giTen me in
the difficult and often complex duties OF
the chair. and with the warmcst wishes
for your health, happiness and prosperi-
ty, one and all, bid you farewell.
Mr.. Colfax Immediately retired from
the Chair, MT. wilson OF iowa taking IT,
when Mr.. Woodward, of Pennsy lvania,
rose and addressed the chair, and, being
recognized, stated that at the instance
of his polit cal colleagues he desired to
offer resolution expressive of the sense
of the House ut the retirement of Mr..
ColfaX, and he then offered a resolution
highly honorable and complimentary
to the retiring Speaker The resolution
was unanimously adopted, and was sub
sequently ordered to be engrossed OF
parchment and signed by the officers OF
the House and presented to NJ. Col
fax.
Hon. Theodore NJ. Pomeroy, of New
York was then elected Speaker OF the
House for the rest of the Fortieth Ses-
sion, and was escorted to the Chair by
Messrs. Dawes and Woodward.