Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/895

 The vote on this and the two succeeding ballots stood, 115 for Pennington and 113 for Smith.

— On Tuesday, January 21, the programme again changed. Mr. Smith withdrew, and Mr. McClernand was nominated in his place. Only one ballot was taken this day, resulting in 116 votes for Pennington, and 91 for McClernand; 26 scattering.

. — The final ballot took place on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Mr. Briggs of New York voted for Mr. Pennington, giving him 117, the number necessary to elect. Thus, after wrangling for nearly two months, was the House organized. Mr. Pennington was at once conducted to the chair, duly sworn in, and so ended this remarkable and exciting contest.