Demoine courier., 1856-12-18
Tuesday; Dec. I'd, 10 o'clock A. M.

The House met at the hour Of adjournment
and the Journal OF yesterday was read. The
Committee on Credentials, by the Chairman
MIR. M'Farland, reported that they found them
in order, and the persons bearing them entitled
to seats.
Mr.. Woodin, Of johnson, moved that the
members elect be called according to districts
to take the oath Of Office, which motion pre-
vailed. The members then came forward on
the reading of the GA by the Clerk, and sub
scribed theiI names, the Speaker pro tenn. adj
ministering the oaln to the members, and Mr..
Holmes, administering the oath to the acting
Speaker.
Thereupon the House proceeded to vote for
Speaker, viva voce, with Samuel Mcfarland
and Green Il. Clarke, as nominees, who on mo-
ton of Mr.. Holmes, were exclsed from voting
Mr.. Mcfarland received SO votes, and Mr..
Clark e, Is. Mr.. Mcfarland being declared
duly elected. was introduced to the Chair by
Messrs. Dorland and Hardic.
The Speaker elect on taking the Chair adj
dressed the House as follows
Gentlemen Of The House Of Representatives.:
thank Won for the honor You have confer
re- upon me, in calling me to preside over
your deliberations. acknowledge ms inabii-
ity to perform properly the duties you have
imposed upon me; and ask in advance, yourin-
dnlgence, for any error may commit. ! hope
10 rec Give your counsel and cooperation, in ex-
planning and enforcing the rules of order.
We come here as strangers, / trust we shall
go away as friends. Our country has just
passed through another exciting and interesting
Presidetial campaign. Party spirit has run
high. Bitter animosities have been engender-
ed. May we in our deliberations, forget all
these feelings and go to work to advance the
interests and increase the prosperity Of our
young and flourishing State. Dwelling here
4 ~, ~, .rnuN U,lI.. 60 a. W. 49, -xoA-~I
State of the mightiest empire the world ever
saw-we should seek to make our laws a
model for other States and nations; and by
their observance, our peoph happy and vir-
tuous.
Messrs. Anderson and Coolbaugh, as a
conkhittee of the Senate, announced the orr
ganlzation of that body.
Fhe House then proceeded to the election
OF other officers. viz;
the Journal, was elected chief Clerk, having
received 80 votes over VIM. W. Tomlinson, of
Polk county, who had 10 votes; VIM. p. Hep
burn, of Marshall co., Assistant Clerk; Geo.
A.. Hawley, Of Decatur county, was chosen
Enrolling Clerk, over Prias Emmerson, by a
similar majority; Alex. r. Fulton. of Jefferson
county, Engrossing Clerk, over w. J. Sny-
der; Wm. Said, of Keokuk county, Sergeant
at-Arns. over HI. Alexans er and Jesse Brown.
Considerable discussion arose here, on the
question of a Doorleeper, Messrs. Holmes,
Franklin and Dorland arguing in favor of dis
continuing the office, and Messrs, Goodwin and
Mills in favor of such an officer. Lost by
Nays 40. Yeas 80.
T.. Wilson, of Johnson CO., was elected chief
messenger, over n. P. Woods.
Adjourned till o'clock, P. M.
Tuesday p. NJ, 2 o'clock.
The House resumed the choice of officers
U. j. Stratton was chosen second messenger:
r. Westcutt was elected Sd messenger.
Mr.. Wcodin nominated Rev. C. Billings
Smith for Chaplain, who was elected, receiving
81 votes. :
On the election of a Chaplain, Mr.. Franklin
and others, went into a somewhat extended dis
~cussion in opposition. Mr.. Franklin said he
had for a long time had little to do with church
affairs was opposed to any chaplain, as throw
ing away more than a hundred dollars. He
believed in one God, and reason was his pro-
phet. There was something disgracsful in the
matter. Two years ago, The Clergy Of the
| city proposed in rotation, to tender their SER
vices without pay. Then as they could not
agree, there being a Universalist among them,
a Chaplain was elected. Iwish to wash my
hands of this corruption.
Mr.. Sawyer nominated Jesse b. Brown as
Assistant Serg't at Arms, and he was chosen !;
yeas "a nays 81.
Messrs. Dorland and Baker were appointed
a committee to inform the Senate of b organ
i~zation of the House.
Messrs. Price, Holmes, Clark, Baker, No
bic and Bigelow Were appointed a joint COM
mittee to wait on the Governor, and INFORM
him that the House was ready to receive any
communication from him.