Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/894

 .—.Mr. Scott, (Dem.,) of California, was put in nomination, receiving 17 votes on this ballot, none on the twenty-third, and 83 on the twenty-fourth. Mr. Maclay, (Dem.) of New York, received 12 votes on the twenty-second ballot, and the scattering vote was 35.

.—Mr. Maynard, (Dem.) of Tenn., was now made the Democratic candidate, on nomination of Mr. Brabson, receiving 65 votes, against 105 for Sherman, the rest scattering.

.—Mr. Vallandingham, (Dem.) of Ohio, was nominated by the Democrats, receiving 12 votes on this ballot, and rising to 69 on the twenty-sixth. He was then dropped.

Twenty-eighth Ballot.—There were seven leading candidates on this ballot, viz: Messrs. Sherman, McClernand, Bocock, Davis, Gilmer, Quarles, and Houston; 16 scattering votes were also cast.

.—Mr. Hamilton, (Dem.) of Texas, became the Democratic candidate on the nomination of Mr. Davis of Ind., and centered the vote of that party until the thirty-fourth ballot—his highest vote being 89 and his lowest 75.

An interval of fourteen days (January 11 to 25) elapsed between the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth ballot. During that time several exciting passages occurred in the House. Mr. Haskin created a sensation by dropping a pistol from his pocket; Mr. Pennington vainly endeavored to procure the passage of the plurality rule; Mr. Pryor uttered his fulmination against the New York Herald; Mr. Sherman defined his position; Mr. Corwin grew facetious over the troubles of the House; Mr. Etheridge's resolution to stop the talking and vote at least three times per diem was adopted.

.—The American vote was united on Mr. Smith, of North Carolina, in whose favor the tide ran strongly until the thirty-ninth ballot, when, but for the change of several votes, he would have been elected.

.—This ballot, cast on Friday, January 27, produced the greatest excitement in the House. Mr. Smith gained, but subsequently lost, the votes necessary to elect. The whole number cast was 228. Mr. Smith received 115 votes, but before the result was announced, three members, viz: Messrs. McPherson, Morris and Stanton, (all of Pennsylvania,) withdrew from Mr. Smith and voted for Mr. Corwin; thus reducing Mr. Smith's vote to 112—three less than the requisite number. The vote, as finally announced, stood as follows: Smith, 112; Sherman, 106; Corwin, 4; scattering, 6. The House then adjourned over to Monday. Before it again met, a Republican caucus was held, at which it was resolved to concentrate the Republican vote on Mr. Pennington, of New Jersey; Mr. Sherman announcing his intention to withdraw.

.—On Monday Mr. Sherman rose in his place and formally withdrew his name. Mr. Pennington was then nominated in his place. The Democrats and South Americans continued to vote for Mr. Smith.