The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-12-11
DOings in Congress.

The difficulties that were anticipated in or
At ganizing the House Of Representatives. in con
h sequence of the attempt made by the Governo
&c Of New Jersey to obtrude five men into the del
sgation from that state, who did not receive
= y majority of the votes given by the people, hav
n been partially realized. For four days lh
e House was in n state Of almost continued con
c fusion and uproar but nothing like violence
!. was attempted or evinced. Some degree Of or
: gsnization was effected Oh Thursday evening b,
: the election Of Mr. J. q. Adams. Chairman
i after which the House almost Immediately ad
journed.
. We give below sketch Of the proceeding,
which will enabs our readers to form their own
I judgments upon the causes Of the delay in or
I ganizing the House.
ON MONDAY-The Clerk. Mr.. GARLASD,
, at ~ o'clock, called the House to order He
, said that ri it was the pleasure Of the House
. ho would read the names Of the Members OF
the Twenty-sixth Congress from list which he
had prepared for the occasion" There was
moments pause, and no objection being made,
. the Clerk proceeded to read the names from
the written list before him. beginning with the
Maine delegation.
When the State Of New Jersey was named,
the clerk read the name of Mr.. Randolph. He
then said that there we've five contested seats in
the New Jersey delegation, which, if it was the
pleasure Of the House. he would pass over,
leaving the subject TO the future action Of the
House.
4 The first named Of the PENNSYLVANIA delega-
ton was then read, when the Clerk was inter
fupted by Mr.. Mdrlceu. one Of the New Jersey
delegation. Mr.. Maxwell called for the read
ing Of the certificate of election Of the five
members. Governor Penningron's certificate
announcing the election OF the six members
Messrs. AVcrigg. MaI,ceH, Hdfsteu@. .Strat
, ton, Yoke and Randolph. was then read. A
debate made mp Of suggestions merely, sprsng
up between Messrs. MdrtceH Of New Jersey.
Rires. Mercer and WjSe Of Virginia. pdnderPooI
Of New York. and several other members.
Mr.. Mercer OF Va. called for the reading OF
the Law OF New Jersey.
: Mr. Riues OF Va. called for the reading OF
The names Of the remaining members for the
purpose Of forming quorum.
Mr.. Hoffman objected 10 the proposiiiOn.-
He addressed the clerk and asked him what
righ, he had 10 call any member but ss he had
evidence OF his election through certificate
laid upon bis table. Mr.. Hoffman considered
IL an assumption Of power on the part Of the
clerk 10 70 behind the return Of the Governor
in the form Of certificate Of election.
Mr.. Hdlsfed. one OF the New Jersey delega.
ton. followed Mr.. Hoffman. lie said. 3" de-
rDand as q sovereign member ef the State Of n.
Jersey. that my name be called. demand il
in virtue OF my election. proved by the broad
sesl Of the State Of New Jersey" Mr.. II. dis
cussed his right. referring to the CUnstitu-
ton OF the United States and the Constitution
Of the State Of New Jersey to prov. that he had
T been lawfully elected.
Mr.. pdnderpool. Of New York. proposed that
the testimony Of the claimants be read before
the Law Of New Jersey applicable TO elections,
or in conne1ion with IT,
Mr.. Sergeant Of Penns. spoke at some length,
} eensuring the conduct OF the CLERK, and in re-
ply 10 some remarks made by Mr.. Sade Of
/ Vermont.
Mr. Bynuu. Of Norh Csroln,. spoke at
length 10 reply to Mr.. Ualsiead in defence Of
the conduct Of Mr.. Garland. the clerk. and in
regard TO the claim Of the five Van Buren, msm-
ben from New Jersey who have not the cer,iil.
\ cate Of election. The Clerk. he hoped. would
bold fast TO his present position. The Admin
i is,raiiou members were but defending the peo-
\ pie Of New Jersey in opposing their Governor.
I He had assumed power over an act Of the peo-
pie Of New Jersey which this House should set
right. The people OF New Jersey we're here
represented as well as the Governor.
\ Mr. GalLraih OF Penn. defended the same
! position, and was followed by Euereu Of Yer
mont. who took sides against the Clerk Of the
House.
! Nj. Craig said that prims faeis evidence
was not enough TO eniitle members TO their
seats. for fraudulent certificate was void
Mr.. White protested against tn. authority
assumed by the CLERK. when Mr.. Bynum re.
piled. after which the CLERK stated il as his
| opinion that in the present state Of the House
/ (the roll having been only partially called) no
| question could be taken either by yeas and
nays, or by tellers. or by connt. and that no de-
cison could be arrived at but by general con.
sent Of the House.
| BY general consent, the House then adjourn
ed.
ON TUEsDAY-Mr. GARLAND (Cisrk OF
the former House) called the House 10 order.
AID stated that the gentleman from North Car
olina Mr.. Bynum had possession Of the floor
at the time OF the adjournment on yesterday,
and. with the permission of that gentleman. he
would beg leave TO make respectful appeal to
the House. No man. said Mr.. q. feels more
than | do the deliescy and difficulty Of his po-
sition. From the beginning | have felt a high
responsibility resting upon me. and before God
and my country, | assure you have had but
one motive. and that vas to do my duty Justly
and impaui,lly. without regard to personal or
party considerations. l have been placed iu
novel and unprecedented situation. All the
cases Of contested elections heretofore present.
ell. have been presented TO the House Of Rep