Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-12-04


Kansas on the first Monday in Oct.
Mr. Phelps asked the usual course to be
pursued.
Mr.. Grow objected. and was about to
state his reasons WHEN Phelps said it was
known that vacancy had existed in the
representation from Kansas. Credentials
bad been presented and read. and this enti-
tied Whitfield to have the oaths administer
ed him. Last session the seats of delegates
from New Mexico, Nebraska and Kansas
were contested. Their credentials were
received and the oaths of office administer
ed to them scverally and without objection
being proposed.
Dir. Crow objected.
Phelps-I mean without serious objection
The course proposed TO be pursued by the
gentleman from Pa, was Contrary to pre-
cedent with one exception. reler TO the
New Jersey contested election.
The Speaker observed that. objection be-
ing made it would be the duty Of the Chair
to submit the QUESTION whether the gentle
man from Kansas be sworn as delegate.
Mr.. Campbell Of Ohio, suggested to ssMr.
Grow whether, as this is short session and
there is much unfinished business, it would
not be better to allow the matter to pass
over as i. did last session on similar oc-
casion. He Gid not see that anything could
thus be lost.
Mr. Crow cannot accede 10 the request
Mr. Campbell. lave done my duty.
Mr. Grow, in reply to Mr.. Phelps, said,
the course he proposed was not unprece-
dented, and there were strong cases IN the
books to justify it. in that New JERSEY
contested election, neither set of delegates
were admitted until the committee on cleo
tions, after two or three months, reported.
The House last session sent a commiss,n n
to Kansas to investigate the affairs of that
Territory, and after full delberaton the
House decided that no valid election had
been held and hence Mr. Whitfield was
elected from his seat. What change has
taken place in the organic act of that Ter
ritory since last session! It's legislation
stands as it did six months ago, when the
delegate was rejected.
The House was now asked to overurn its
decision ard give validity to the tyrannous
acts forced upon an unwilling people by the
arm of Government being used to shield the
inroads of their rights from neighboring
States
Mr.. Phelps said he would at proper time
be ready to defend the validity of TIE legis-
lalure aid laws OF Kansas. At the last
session Whitfield was sworn in and the Gre
deutilis referred to the committee oa cleo
tions, who reported adversely to his taking
his seat,& IN favor of Reeder. A vacancy,
occurred& he IS now here for that purpose.
Yet the gent Ioman from Pennsy lvania pro-
claimed this3question was ddjudicated & de-
lded last session. The gentleman, while
voting against Whitfield, assigned as a rea-
son for dong SO, that he was .ected under
unconstitutional enactment; but he voted
for R eedcr 10 take his seat in absence of all
law.
Mr.. Grow explained He had stated that
the people of Kansas were entitled to re-
presentation, and he desired to bestow il in
that way as proper, under the peculiar Cir
cumstances.
NIL hCiPo' iN9uhllHS odlu' plo" POoI-
ton was that the people of Kansas are en-
titled to delegate, but who was here to
contes: the right of Whitfield. If the gen.
! tlemln from Pennsylvania was desirouS TO
see them represented, with what sense of
justice could he oppose Whitfield, there be-
ing no contestant os seat. Where was his
love for the people of Kansas! The gen.
tleman's course would prevent such repre-
sentatOh. Let the delegate be sworn in
The credentials can then be referred to cOm-
mitee tn cleo ions and when Il report is
made the House can act as they believe
justice requires.
The question was taken, shall Whitfield
'e sworn, decided in the negative, 81 against
l04.
Mr.. Grow moved a reconsideration Of the
vote and to Iay that motion on the table.
Unsuccessful motions were made to ad-
lourn, for call of the House, etc.
4 O'Clock Various gentlemen paired off,
hunger and fatigue serving as excuses.
Nj. Campbell, of Ohio, remarked that, as
a number Of gentlemen on his side had gone
TO dinner, he thought it right the House
should adjourn. Rejected.
Mfr. Mllson said he was not willing to be
punished BY being kept here because others
chose 10 pair off.
| His motion for call Of the House pre-
vailed.
One hundred and thirty-eight members
answered TO their names, the joors were
closed and excuses he ard for the ahsentecs,
some Of humorous chagactsc exciting en-
cessive laughter. During these proceedings
Mr.. Wilson spoke Of the exposure of the
reputation Of Congress to the ridicule of the
people and the deci sion of public press. He
had always attempted 10 prevent struggles
similor to that in which the House is now
engaged.
Various propositions were made, when
the House adjourned.