The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-12-09
Congress.

The National Legislature assembled On Mon
day last, in regular session. The Senate was
called to order by the Vice President, and the
House By Mr. Ethridge, Clerk at the last session
A plan had been set on foot by the opponents
Of the administration, which il was hoped could
be carried ont, TO prevent the organization OF
the House. It was 70 be consummated through
the Clerk, and was grounded on certain techni-
cal deficiencies existing in the certificates Of the
members of some Of the States, they not being
worded in exact accordance with law passed
in the last days Of the last session requiring the
Clerk TO place upon the roll Of the House no
name cave those which are certified to him as
having been duly elected under the laws OF the
State and Of the United States. The object OF
this law was to prevent the possibility of filling
the House with bogus members from Southern
States, who had never been really elected, but
might nevertheless present certificates Of some
sort. aud gain admission in sufficient numbers 70
control the House. The Clerk claimed that this
law required him to insist that each certificate
should specify in this given form that the men,
Der was elected according to the laws OF the State
and Of the United States. Now the certificates
from Oregon, Minnesota, Western Virginia,
Maryland ard part Of Missouri, read that the
members were duly elected according TO law.
The game was to throw out the certificates Of these
members, a. deficient, and thus deprive the adj
ministration men Of some sixteen votes, and thus
delay, if not prevent the organization OF the
House. This grand scheme was knocked IN the
head, however, the Clerk being Instructed tc
put the names Of the members elect from the
States named above on bis list By a resolution o
the House, and the gentlemen were admitted to
their seats. Hon Schuyler Coitax. Of ILdiana
was elected Speaker upon tie FIRST ballot, receiv
ing lOl votes out Of Isl, the whole number
cast Upon taking the chair, Mr. Col'ax dehg-
cred a brief, eloquent and patriotic address
which was received with applause. The mem
bers we're then all sworn in, except some bogus
representatives from Louis lana. Their creden
tals we're referred 70 the committee on elections
Themessage was probably delivered yesterday
as the minor officers Of the House had beer
agreed upon in caucus, and the mere Formally
Of their election was all that manned to perfec
the organization. 1t j. stated that the President
in his message, discusses mainly the questions o
slavery, reconstruction, military and naval move
ments, and the progress Of the war. lie hold
that, by virtue Of his proclamation, slavery i
dead in all but the excepted States. He re
counts our victories and dwels upon the presen
hopeful aspect of the war
Mr.. Lane, in the Senate, from Indiana, CAV
notice of the introduction Of bills to repeal TN
$500 Communication feature OF the enrolment
and to increase the pay Of non-commissioned of
fcers and privates in the army so per cent.
Notice of a bill for the same purpose ha- beer
given in the House.
The House completed its organization on Tues
day by the election OF Mr.. Mcpherson, of Penn
sylvania, Clerk, Mr. Ordway, Of New Hampshire
Sergeant-at Arms, Mr.. Ira GoOdenough, th'
present incumbent, Doorkeeper. and Mr. w 5
King Of Minnesota, Postmaster.