The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-10-21
SENATE.

SENATE.
THURSDAY, Der. 10.
The President called The Senate to order. On
calling the names It appeared hat all the Senators
were in their places bu, one.
On motion Of Mr. Starr the rules Of The las, sus-
sion were adopted until others are provided
Canrassing Commilicc.-NlessIs. Sheldon,
Townsey, Briggs, Field, Starr. Hatch, French.
Dillingham;, Bartlett, llubbell, Camp Butler Brig
ham and Sowes.
Resolutions--By Mr. Barrett, assigning o'clock
this afternoon, for joint assembly to hear the re-
port Of the cahvassing committee; ndOpied-by Mr.
Sheldon, providing one weekly and one daily pa
per for each Senator.
On motion Of Mr. IIubbell the House was infor-
med Of the organization Of the Senate.
Zeblna c. Camp, was appointed door-keepcr OF
the Senate, and Samuel l.. Billings assistant door
keeper.
ResOluions-By Mr. Briggs, providing thu, the
Governor be informed Of the organization Of the
Senate; adopted, and Nlessrs. Briggs and Dlng-
ham appointed 10 perform that service--By Mr.
Barrett. providing, Tor the publication of LegisIa-
tive Directory; laid upon the table on motion Of
Mr. Camp,
Bill, BY Mr. Camp, for dividing the State into
four districts, and prescribing the mode of elecing
members of Congress Read the first and second
times and referred to the committee to be raised
on the Judiciary.
On motion Of Mr. Butler, the Senate resolved,
thai when i, adjourned i, adjourned 10 meet at 3
o'clock.
Resolution, providing for legislative directory;
called up by Mr. Camp, vaIiousy amended at his
suggestion, and adopted.
On motion Of Mr. Butler the Senate proceeded
to the election Of Secretary. Mr. Bartlett nonna-
ted c. g. Eastman, Mr. Townsley nominated De-
witt c. Clark. Mr. CLARK was elected The bal
lots were, for Mr. Clark Is, Mr. Eastman ii. I'd
ward A. Stansbury was then elected assistant Sec
Rotary by n similar ballot over l.. p. Poland.
AIessrs. Camp, Briggs and Bartlett were op7oin-
ted upon The committee on rules, when the Senate
adjourned.
HOUSE.
The members Of the House were called to or
der by c. l.. Knapp, esq. Acting Secretary Of
State, when the roll was called and the oath Of Of
| flee administered.
| The Acting Secretary Of State informed the
House that paper was presented from the proper
officer, stating that Jonathan lloughton was duly
elected representative from the town Of Reads
brro', accompanied by certificate, in accordance
with the law, tina, he had no, resided IN the town.
for one year previous to his election.
! Mr. Harrington moved that Mr. lloughton be adj
mi,,ed to seal, urging that the certificate as to res
idence was merely prima fdcie evidence, which
might be controverted by other evidence. lie
thought this question us 10 eligibility was one to
be investigated by the committee Of Elections, and
that until decision was made against the member,
he was entitled to seat, having the same evil
dence Of legal election as other members.
Mr. Hebnrd opposed the notion: the law was
unequvocal as TO the question Of residence, and u
gentleman claiming seat last yeaI, under the
same circumstances, was refused by nearly a u
unanimous vote. Mr. IIough,on had not even p, l.
ma facie evidence Of right to n seat, under this
certificate; and he ought no, to be admitted unit,
his right was established, after investigation BY the
committee Of Elections, and by decision OF the
House.
Mr. Harrington further sustained his motion,
coniending that by the provisions Of the law for
the organization Of the House, the Secretary Of
State had no right 10 raise this question-no dis
erection was TO be exercised by HIM. but he WINS
bound 10 receive all the credentials and admins
ter the oath. Any question arising 10 the rights
OF members was subsequently to be examined by
the committee Of Elections, and decided by the
House.
Mr. Villas sustained this view Of the question: il
was not for the Secretary TO Judge of The qualica
tons Of menbers-lhat was the privilege Of the
House ITSELF lie thought the decision of the ques-
ton last year was right. the error was in the Sec
Rotary, raising the question.
Mr. Shnfier deemed il the duty Of the member to
present evidence not only Of his election, but Of
hls eligibility: both facts were necessary TO consi-
tutc right TO a seat. lie differed eniey fiom
tie views expressed as to the duty Of the Secre,a-
~ Of State.
Af'er further discussion by ,fosats. Wins, lie.