Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-12-16
NXxyIIi CoNGRESs---FIRsr SESSION.
w AsHINGroN. D.. q

called the House TO order and said he would
proceed to call the roll of names of such
members only, whose credentials show that
they were regularly elected in accordance
with the laws Of their state and the United
States
The Clerk then read the roll of members
from all the States excepting Maryland, West
Virginia, Oregon, Missouri. and Kansas.
MIR stevens, Of Penn, desired that the
credentials of all those whose names were not
on the roll be read
The Clerk said he had placed on the rcll
the names of those whose credentials bore
/ evidence IN accordance with the law passed
! by this House in March last
Mr. Washburne asked whether there we're
any contestants of seats.
The Clerk replied that there were three or
tour from Missouri, one from VIRGINIA and
one from Kentucky as he recolicctcd.
Mr. Stevens repeated his request.
AN ACT regulating the duties of the CLERK of the
House of Representatives in preparing for the
organization OF tue House.
Be Il enacted 6y the Senate and House of Repre-
seHtattreS Cf tte United States Of Hserca an Con-
greSS assembled, That before the first meeting of
the next Congress, and every subsequent Congress
the Clerk of the next proceeding House of Repre-
sentatives shall make roll of the Represe6ta-
tves elect and place thereon the OF all per
sons, and Of such persons only whose creden tails
show that they were regularly elected in accord
the laws of the United States.
At the request Of Mr.. Stevens the Clerk
read tue form of the credentials of the Mis-
souri, members which he had ruled out for
| informalitv
Mr.. Dawes offered a resolution that the
names of the Maryland delegation be placed
on the rolls of the House and moved the pre-
vious question, which was seconded.
Mr.. j. C. Allen moved to lay the resolution
, on the table.
The question was taken on Mr.. Aliens
motion to lay Mr.. Dawes resolution on the
table and it was decided in the negative
yeas II, nays "a; which caused much ap-
plause from the galleries. and on the floor of
the House.
! Mr. Dawes demanded a vote on his resolu-
! ton, which was adopted followed by APP
/ plause. So the names of the Maryland dele
| gates were placed on the roll.
The names of the members from Missouri
! Oregon, Kansas, Virginia and West Virginia
were directed to be placed upon the roll.
Mr.. Stevens then asked that the credentials
! of the Louisiana members-Messrs. Beal,
! Coltman and Baker-be read. The creden-
| tials state that the election was in accord
| auce with the Constitution and laws of Loui-
siaDa, and that said election was held on the
| % of November last The credentials of the
! Louisiana members are signed by y. l..
Riddle, Governor of Louisiana"
Mr.. Stevens moved that the names Of tho
| Louisiana members be stricken from the rolls.
Mr. Brooks said the House could elect a
| Speaker without the names of these Louisi-
ana gentlemen being stricken off the rolls
Mr.. Stevens protested against their admis-
sion, but in order TO facilitate the organiza-
ton Of the House, lie would withdraw his
| motion for the present, and again offer it
when the Louisiana members were to be
sworn in
Mr.. Washburn moved that the House pro-
ceed to the election of a Speaker viva voce,
which was agreed to.
Mr.. Washburn nominated Mr.. S. Colfax
Mr.. Pendleton nominated Mr. Samuel Cox
Messrs. Pendleton, Dawes, Wadsworth
and Pomeroy were appointed tellers to con-
duet the election. The House then proceed
ed to vote with the following result: Whole
number of votes, 18l; necessary to a choice,
90; Colfax, l0l; Cox, AZ; King, Mallo-
ry, 10; Stebbins, s.; Dawson, Il; Blair, , :;
Stiles, l.
The Clerk declared Mr.. Colfax duly and
legally elected. The announcement was
greeted with vociferous applause.
Messrs. Dawson and Cox were appointed
to conduct the Speaker to the chair
The Speaker on taking the chair, delivered
| a brief, eloquent, and patriotic address, which
was received with general applause.
The members of the House were then
sworn in The names of the members from
Louisiana being called, Mr.. Stevens objected
to their being sworn in Considerable dis
cussion ensued, when Mr.. Stevens offered
| resolution that their credentials be referred
TO the committee on elections Mr.. Allen
moved to lay the matter on the table. This
was lost by 107 TO "A. The resolution of Mr.
Stevens was then adopted by 100 to "A.
The Clerk then proceeded to administer
the oath to the delegates from the several
Territories The House then adjourned.
SENATE.-The Vice President called the
Senate to order at noon.
The credentials of Messrs Wiley and Van
Winekle, Senators elected from West Vir-
ginia, were presented by Sen. Collamer.
The credentials of Mr.. CONFESS, of Califor-
mia, were presented by Sen. Nesmith, and the
credentials Of Mr.. Henderson, of No, b.
Sen. Foote. Messrs CONFESS and Hender-
son were qualified and took the oath of low
atty prescribed by the last Congress.
Sen. Davis rose with a question of the
right of the gentlemen from West Virginia
to take a seat He held that there was con
stitutionally and legally no such state as West
Virginia therefore there could be no Sena-
tors from such State. His object was simply
to put on record his objections. He believed
the old State 70 be intact and that this whole
thing is . fragrant violation Of the Conetitu-
ton.
After debate, Senator Davis, as test ques-
ton moved that the oath of office be admin
istered TO the gentlemen from West Virginia,
which was carried by yeas 80, NAYS 5 !; the
nays being Buckalew, Davis, Hendricks, Nc
Dougal, and Powell
On motion of Sen. Foote, resolution was
adopted appointing committee OF three, IN
connection with committee on the part of
the House, TO wait upon the President of the
United States, and inform him of the readi-
ness of Congress to receive his annual mes
sage Senators Foote, Trumbull and Nesmith
were appointed.
Sen. Foote offered resolution for the
classification of the Senator'S from West Vir-
ginia by the usual means drawing by lot,
which was adopted:
Sen. Van Winckle was chosen to fill the
long term, expiring in 1869, and Sen. Wiley
the short term expiring in 1865.
Senator Lane, of Indiana, gave notice of
the Introduction of bills 70 repeal the $500
- h. I'M ant