The Portland daily press., 1863-12-08
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T0rHE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXvIII C0NGREsS---Tirst Session.

'iNti 1T HOUii to-udt
The Rev. Mr.. Sunderland offered a PRAYER,
expressing gratitude that though the storm
arlyes the Republic still lives.
The credentials of Messrs. Wiley and Van
Wrinkle, Senators elect from West Virginia,
were presented by Nj. Colamer.
The credentials of Mr.. CONFESS of Calfor-
mia, were presented by Mr.. Nesmith, and the
credentials OF Mr.. Henderson, of Missouri, by
Mr.. Foote. Messrs. Conness and Henderson
were qualified and took the oath of LOYALTY
prescribed by the last Congress.
Mr.. Davis, of Kentucky, raised a question
Is TO the right of the gentlemen from West
Virginia TO take seats. He held that there
was constitutionaly and legally no such State
as West Virginia, and there could therefore be
no Senators nom such State. His object
was simply to pat on record his objections.
Mr. Foote, OF Vermont, asked what was the
question before the Senate.
The President said there was none.
Mr.. Davis moved to refer the credentials of
the gentlemen from West Virginia TO The
judiciary committee.
Mr.. Trumbull, OF Illinois. said there was no
such committee.
Mr.. Hale, of New Hampshire, said that
when the credentials were presented the
question was on receiving aud reading and
then qualifying the parties. In the case OF
Gen. Shields, Senator from Minnesota, this
was the course pursued, aud then the creden-
tlas were referred.
Mr.. Fessenden, OF Maine, said that he had
made the motion in the case of Gen. Shields.
and the matter being referred, the committee
subsequently reported. In this case motion
could be made to refer to select committee.
Mr.. Foote said the question had never been
made as to Senators elect being sworn in.
The President said the usual practice was
to present the credentials. A motion could
then be made to qualify, or the subject be
postponed.
Mr.. Fessenden said it was unnecessary TO
refer to a committee, as the matter could be
considered in the Senate.
Mr.. Davis, as test question, moved that the
oath of office be administered TO the gentle
men from West Virginia, which was Carl led
yeas 80, nays 5-the nays being Messrs. Buck
alew, Davis, Hendrick, McDougal and Powell.
Mr.. Sherman, of Ohio, submitted a rcsolu-
ton that the Committee on the Judiciary en-
quirc and report whether the Hon. Robert
Wilson is still 4 member from Missouri, Mr..
Ii. Gratz Brown having recently been elected
Senator by the Legislature OF Missouri, but
not appearing here yet. Mr.. Wilson, who was
appointed by the Governor at the last session
to I'LL vacancy, was still in his seat to-day
The resolution was not voted on.
On motion of Mr.. Foote, a resolution was
adopted appointing 4 committee OF three to
act in connection with a committee on the
part OF the House, to wait upon the President
of the United States, and inform him of the
readiness OF Congress to receive his annual
message.
Messrs. Foote, Trumbul and Nesmith were
appointed the committee on the part of the
Senate.
Mr.. Foote offered resolution for the
classification of the Senators from West Vir-
ginia, by the usual means of drawing by lot,
which was adopted. Mr.. Van Wrinkle drew
the long term. expiring in 1869, and Mr..
Wiley the short term, expiring 1865.
Mr.. Lane, of Indiana, gave notice of the in
PRODUCTION OF bill to repeal the $500 COM
mutation feature of the Enrolment Act, and
TO increase the pay of non-commissionei
GERS and privates in the army fifty per cent.
The daily hour OF meeting was fixed at II
o'clock noon.
On motion of Mr. Powell the Senate ad.
journed.
HOUSE.
At IL o'clock (noon) Mr.. Etherdge, Clerk
OF the House, raped the members to order,
and said: This being the time designated by
the Constitution of the United States for the
meeting of the 3Sth Congress, he would now
proceed TO call the roll Of members, and of
such members only whose credentials show
they were regularly elected in accordance with
the laws of their States respectively, and the
laws OF the United States"
The clerk then read the roll of members
nom all the States excepting Maryland, Vir-
ginis, West Virginia, Oregon, Missouri and
Kansas.
Mr.. Stevens, OF Pennsylvania, desired that
the credentials OF those whose names were
not on the roll to be read.
The Clerk said he had placed on the roll the
names of all those whose certificates bore in
ternal evidence OF their election in accordance
with the law passed by this House in March
last.
Mr.. Washburn asked whether there were
any contestants of States.
The Clerk said there were three or four
from Missouri, one from Virginia and one from
Kentucky, as he recolected.
Mr.. Stevens repeated his request.
Mr.. Pendletou, OF Ohio, asked whether there
was any rule requiring contestants of seats
before the organization of the House, TO file
notices of their intention to contest.
Mr.. Stiles, of Pennsylvania, asked the read
ing OF the Act Of March Sd.
The Act WAS read as follows:
IAN Act to regulate the duties of the Clerk of
the House of Representatives in preparing
for the organization Of the House:
BE IL enacted, dc, That before the first
meeting of the next Congress and every sub
sequent Congress, that the Clerk Of the next
proceeding House OF Representatives shall
make roll of the Representatives.elect, and
place thereon the names of all persons, and of
such persons only, whose credentials show
that they were regularly elected in accordance
with the laws of their States respectively, or
the laws OF the United States
AT the request OF Mr.. Stevens the Clerk
read the form of the credentials Of the Mary
land members, which he had ruled out for in
Formally.
Mr. Dawes offered a resolution that the
names OF the Maryland delegation be placed
on the rolls of the House, and moved previ-
Gus question, which was seconded.
Mr.. Allen moved to lay the resolution OH
the table.
Mr.. Stiles asked whether the resolution was
in order.
The Clerk replied: "Clcarly, as pointing to
the organization"
Mr.. Cox wished to know why the names
were placed on the rolls.
He was called to order from the Republican
side OF the House, while Others demanded the
rolls to be called.
The Clerk said Mr.. Cox was not in order, as
the previous question was pending.
The question taken on Mr.. Aliens motion
to lay Mr. Dawes resolution on the table was
decided in the negative. Yeas IA, nays "a.
which caused applause from the gallery and
on the floor Of the House.
Mr.. Dawes demanded vote for his resolu-
ton
Mr.. Washburn hoped the rules would be
enforced as to the preservation of order.
Mr.. Dawes resolution was adopted, followed