Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-12-12
SPECTATOR.
-STAUNTON -
THURSDAY, DECEMBER IL, 1889.
CONGRESS-.

If confusion and disorder during the past
week. On the regular day of meeting the
House was filled long before l2 O'Clock, and
nearly every member chosen to Congress was
n his seat-only one being absent from the
whole twenty-six States and three Territories,
Mr. kempshall, who we believe is Wing,
rom the State of New York
At IL o'clock, the Clerk, Mr.. GARLAND,
called the House to order. He said that ''if
it was the pleasure of the House he would
read the names of the members of the Twenty
sixth Congress from list which he had pre-
pared for the OCCASION" There was mo-
ment's pause, and no objection being made,
the Clerk proceeded to read the written list
before him, beginning with the Maine dele
CATION. When the State of New Jersey was
named, the clerk read the name of Mr.. Ram
dolph. He then said that there were five
contested seats in the New Jersey delegation,
which, if it was the pleasure of the House he
would pass over, and leave the subject for the
future action Of the house. The reading of
the list of the Pennsylvania delegation was
then commenced, when the Clerk was inter-
rupted by Mr.. Maxwell, one of the New Jer-
sey delegates, who called for the reading of
the certificates of election of the five MEM
bers. Gov. Pennington's certificates announ-
cling the election of the six members, Messrs.
Aycrigg, Maxwell, Halsted, Stratton, Y orke
and Randolph were accordingly read.
Various suggestions We're then made by
Messrs. Maxwell of N. Jersey, Rives, Mer-
Ger, and Wise of Virginia, and other men,
bers-when Mr.. Mercer called for the read
ing of the law of N. Jersey. Mr.. Rivcs cal
led for the reading of the names of the re-
naming members with view to form quo
rum. Mr.. Hoffman objected to the PROPOSE
ton, and addressing himself to the clerk, as
ked him what right he had to call any men,
Der but as he had evidence through certifi-
cate laid on his table! That was the only ev-
idence he conld have ofany election, and you,
sir, said Mr.. Hoffman, have no more RIGHT to
pass by the names of the New Jersey mem
bers than you have to pass over mine. Mr..
Halsted of New Jersey, followed Mr.. H.
He said 81 demand as a member of the sove-
reign State of New Jersey that my name be
called. l demand it in virtue of my cleo
ton, proved by the broad seal of the State
of New Jersey. deny that the mere claim
of the opposing members-a claim set up a.
gainst precedent-against parliamentary u
justice-shall be so considered
as TO pass by the names of the members e.
lect.'' He denied that the Clerk or the House
could set aside an election before the House
was organized, and entered at large on the
discussion Of his right. Mr.. Vanderpoel, of
n. York, proposed that the testimony of the
claimants be read before the law applicable
to elections in New Jersey, or in connexion
with it. Mr.. Tillinghast said that.upon the
evidence of the Governors certificate, the
clerk had read the name of Mr.. Randolph, and
yet upon the same evidence, which proved a.
like and equally the election of the other five
he refused to enroll them. This,
he contended the clerk had no right to do
Mr.. Johnson, Mr.. Biddle, and Mr.. Sergeant
urged similar views, and all condemned
strongly the course of the clerk.-Mr. By
mum of n. Carolina, spoke in defence of the
conduct of the clerk, who he hoped would
hold fast to his present position. He said the
Administration members claiming seats were
but defending the people of n. Jersey against
the act of their Governor. He had assumed
a power over an act of the people of N. Jer-
sey which this house should set right. Mr..
Galbraith, Of Pennsylvania, maintained the
same position. Mr.. Everett, of Vermont,
followed on the other side. Mr.. Craig also
spoke in defence of the clerk. Mr.. White,
of Ky, spoke in reply to Mr.. Bynum, and re-
minded him of the position he took on the
contested election, that the certi-
ficate of the Governor was good evidence of a
right to seat, and that no one then gainsaid
it. The house broke up between and 5 o.
clock. The six Wing members have taken
seats in the House, and the claimants are on
the floor awaiting the issue.
Iuesday.-The House met at IL o'clock,
and the Clerk read the proceedings of Mon
day, as if the House had been organized.
He then asked leave to make a statement.
He said he felt the delicacy of his situation,
but declared that he was not influenced by
personal or party motives. Before God and
his country, he said he thoughthe was acting
Justly. Mr.. Jenifer enquired of him if he
meant to pursue the course he did yesterday