The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-08
From The Harrisburg pa Iasfhge"eer Erfa' Dee' o.
uousr oF REPRESENTATIVE

I'D scenes truly disgracefu 70 the Commonwealth.
| We shall attempt faithful sketch
Al an early honr the Representative Hall was crowd
ed with members elect and spectators TO the number Of
several hundred II was manifest that scenes in
our history would be enacted. Philadelphia county
seemed have furnished goodN number OF actors on
the OCCASION and sent them to Harrisburg But our
friends the Democrats, like their fathers Of old at the
Boston tea party behaved with admirable GOODNESS and
frmncss, determined to ask nothing but what clear
ly right and submit to nothing wrong"
II given out that at eleven a. NJ, the House
would convene. A few moments before the hour, Mr.
Hill, Of Wes,moreland, I.ocoloeo made few remarks
Of mild character, insisting the spectators in the
galleries preserve order, and at precisely he called
the House to order by moving that the Clerk OF the for
session. (Mr +. r. Skunk act Us Clerk IN organ
izng. which agreed to- The Secretary OF the
Commonwealth then introduced, and presented,
according law, the scaled returns which had been
placed in his Office Tho Clerk then proceeded to
open the packet and break tho SEALS when no read the
returns from the city Of Philadelphia He next took the
returns from the eoaaiy Of Philadelphia and was pre-
pairing to read the legal returns when Mr.. Pray, who
claims from the county, moved that the reading
Of the returns furnished by the Secretary he dispensed
with, and presented another return, which nc said was
ates,ed by the hand aud seal Of the Prohonotay aud
was therefore the proper one, and moved II be read
Mr.. t. s. Smith, Of the city, protested earnestly
against receiving the Of r Pray, insisting that
the Secretary ofthe the only legal
mel through which return reach the House. ard that
no or decision the legality of any paper could
be had till the House organized, the members from
the city being the only whom yet knew official
y TO be members The only evidence Of membership
which could, in the first instance be received, was the
return furnished by the Secretary, and the Talmud
might as well be read any other return lie insisted
that the law should be acted upto
Mr. M'Elwee OF Bedford, then arose, and in his
usual STYLE harangucd the audience in the galleries.
dealing largely in nvectiye against the Secretary, lie
afer time ,hec Inv md
Pray, when MIR. Hopkins, Of Washington. moved that
both returns be read No vote taken on this mo-
ton, but the clerk allowed to proceed with the read
ing of the return furnished by Mr. Pray. Gas had no
doubt been previously agreed upon,) which having
finished he then read the legal return, which OF course
gives the democratic wings seats, Whereas Mr. Prays
return gives the seats to the Loco-focos.
The Clerk then went to read the returns from the
other counties Of the commonwealth, which he did with
out Interruption .
Mr.. Stephens then and said that as there would
doubtless be difficulty in settling this vexedquestlon, the
members differing in opinion to the mode Of settlement
he would make proposition to all those who were DIS
posed 10 proceed according to law and who believed
the Secretary OF the Commonwealth to be the only Of
hcer individual, authorized by the Constitution and
laws to present returns to tho House. And he hoped
that any action which might take place might be IN good
temper-wlich would be the best evidence Of an honest
difference of opinions He believed that the only mode
of proceeding authorized by law, was to take the evil
/
who members, until the house is duly organized and
ready to act the questian deliberately and in order
If we are wrorg, sand he there tribunals and laws
aud their judgmen, will submit TO ; and he hoped
that the dignity of the Commonwealth and her laws,
would be regarded IN the persons OF her representatives
He then proposed that eIlers he appointed, ard the
House proceed to organize and he hoped tina. those
who thought with hun would vote for those telers
lie said IL might happen tina, heo Speakers would he
chosen. but the difficulty springs from mere difference
aE all
in perfect harmony-perfect quiet and perfect peace.
He then nominated MIR. Watts, of Erie and ZeIn, OF
Delaware, as telers
Mr. Hopkins then and said there were two
returns from Philadelphia county, he would move tha'
the following persons (naming Pray a"d Tue o'he'
| I.oco focosl take their seais - members
Mr. T. S sanisf said, he hoped those who thought,
with him would on the question, as no appre-
hended that yet the House was not empowered to do
Mr. Hopkins at once moved that the Clerk act
teller and call the names of The members, which he did,
when the ,ellers nominated by Mr. Stevens also began
to call Now a OF orderly disorder ensued The
tecrs, Watts and Zeiln, proceeded steadily to call all
| the of the members land of our friends from
Philadelphia county, Mr. Skunk called all the names Of
the Loco .ocos from the county-when Il 5. CUNNING
HAM, of Mercer, duly elected having received 81
votes, and none being cast against him
Mr. CUNNINGHAM was conducted to the chair and
| took his seat
Mr. Skunk continued to call, and when ,hroush-the
Loco focos only answerng-announced w. HOPKINS,
OF Washington, as Speaker!
Gen Cunningham, in the meantime, had been dolly
sworn in by MIR L. S, Smith, and had begun to swear
| in The members as is usual.
Mr. Hopkins being announced, the Locofocos-
ruffians, members and al-began to stamp and clap,
and yell uriouslv, and great was the uproar for
moment that the Representative Hall seemed converted
into den of fends.
Gen Cunningham and the ,elers behaved with adj
mirable cooness and proceeded with the business il
nothing unusual enactng, as they were determn-
cd pursue the pointed out by the law regard
less Of consequences.
Mcssrs Spackman and T. S Smith were appointed
committee to inform the Governor that the House
was organized and ready proceed TO business
Messrs Cunningham, OF Huntington, and Crabh, were
appointed similar committee to the Senate. And
Messrs Cox, Stevens. and Day. were appointed a com
mtec to report rules for The government OF The House.
it also resolved that the rules Of the last House be
adopted
A motion was now made and carried, that the House
adjourn till hall past two to-day
The Loco focos with Hopkins at their head pro
cecded 10 swear themselves in, and appointed commit
tees &c. They adjourned about two o'clock.
We present these facts 10 the people, confident o
their approval Of the pursued by our friends
who have noby stood up for the Laws and Constitution
OF their country
Nothing can exceed the conduct Of the Ioco-iocos
for backgnardlsm and brutality They seemed to con
sder the Hall forum for devils incarnate, 10 hail ,hei
fellow spirits in
II will be question for the Supreme Court to de-
eide we presume on which side the la lay, but 10 on
minds it is very clear OR friends have stood up fo
their rights and will be susained il not our free govern
meut is the despo,,m Of icentious gang of maraud
crs, who neither respect their own rights nor those
any others
The Governor and Senate will doubtless recognize
the House as organized by the election of Mr. Gun
bingham, as the only legal body, and the Iocooco in
surgcuts will be no regarded than so many ndi
,lduss who had not been before the people for thcl