Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-12-16
cLEARFIELD. pa, DEC. IS, 1853.
MEETING OF CONGRESS.

MEETING OF CONGRESS
Both Houses ofCongress assembled on Mon
day a-week. The galleries were densely
crowded long before the hour for the opening
of the session arrived. The Vice President,
Mr.. Hamlin, called the Senate 10 order at
noon. Rev. Mr.. Sunderland offered PRAYER
expressing the gratitude of the country, that
though the storm drives the Republic still
lives.
Mr.. Davis, from Kentucky, raised the ques-
tion TO the right of the gentlemen from
West Virginia to take their seats. He held
that there was constitutionaly and legally no
such State West Virginia, and there conld
be, therefore, no Senators from such State.
After furter debate. Mr.. Davis, as test ques-
ton, moved that the oath of Office be admins
tered to the gentlemen from West Virginia
The motion was carried-yeas SO, nays s.
Mr.. Buckalew. of Pennsylvania, voted with
the nays. Mr.. Lane, of Indiana, gave notice
OF the introduction of bills to repeal the $500
communication feature of the enrolment act.
and to increase the pay OF non com N stoned
off GERS and privates in the army fifty per
cent. The Senate adjourned.
TEE HoUsE.-At noon Mr. Etheridge, the
Clerk, raped the members to order, and
said, this being the time designated by the
Constitution OF the United States for the meet
ing of the Thirty eighth Congress, he would
now proceed to call the roll OF members, and
Of such 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. The Clerk then read
the roll of members from all the States except
ing Mary land, Virginia, West Virginia, Ore
gon, Missouri and Kansas. After some de-
bate the gentleman from all the excepted
States We're admitted to seats. The next i'm
portant business before the House was the e.
election of speaker. The Hon. Schuyler
Colfax, Union, from Indiana, was elected on
the first ballot. Whole number of votes cast
Isl, necessary to choice 81.
Mr. Colfax, l0l Mr.. Mallory, 10
Mr.. Cox, 42 Mr.. Stebbings,
Mr.. Dawson, II Mr.. Blair,
Mr. King, 6 Mr. Stiles,
The anBouncement of Mr.. Colfax's election
was greeted with vocferous applause. Mr..
Colfax, on taking the chair, said
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REpREs ENrA-
TVEs To-day will be marked in American
history as the opening of Congress destined
TO face and settle the most important questions
OF the county, and during whose existence
the rebellion, which has passed its cuimiua-
ton, will, hey ond all question, thanks to our
Army ard Navy and Admin stration die a
deserved death. Not only will your constitu-
ents watch with the st:ietest scrutiny your de-
iiberatiOns here, but the friends OF liberty
to the most distant lands, will be interested
spectators of your acts.
In this greater than Roman forum, invoke
you to approach these grave questions with
the calm thoughtful lness OF statesmen. freeing
your discussions from that acerbity which
mars instead of advances legislation and
with mistaken reliance on that Divine Power
which gave victory to those who formed this
Union, and can give even greater victory 10
those who are seeking TO save it from de>truc-
tion by the hand of the parricde and traitor.
/ invoke you, a lso TO remember that sacred
truth which all history verifes, that 'they
who rule not in righteousness shall perish
from the eartb.''
Thanking you with greatful heart for this
distinguished mark of your confidence and re-
gard and appealing to you all for that support
and forbearance by the al d of which alone
can hope to succeed, am now ready to take
the oath Of office, and enter upon the duties
you have assigned me.
The balance of the proceedings of the day
were in regard TO the admission of members
claiming seats from Louisiana and the teri
tories.
On Tuesday very little was done in the SEN
ate. In the House Hon. Edward McP herson,
of Pennsylvania, was elected Clerk.
On Wednesday, the Presidents, Message
was read in both no uses of Congress.
1t is worthy of remark here, that most of
the Border State-men voted with the Republi-
cans for Hon. Schuyler Colfax, for Speaker
of the House.
Dec. lO.-In the Senate, notice was given
of bill to encourage volunteers in the Naval
service, crediting all such to the military
quota of the states. Mr.. Sumner.gave notice
of bill to repeal all acts for the giving mp of
fugitive slaves. Adjourned TO Monday. In
tate the payment of bounties due on account
OF deceased soldiers. Mr.. Pemberton gave no.
tiee of bill TO admit Members of the Cabinet
to the Senate and Honse with the right to de-
bate matters touching their several depart
ments- The Treasury Report was handed in.
The House elected Chaplain the Rev. VIM.
FL. Claiming, Unitarian, had so votes; Bisb
op Hopkins of Vermont, author of Bible De.
fense of slavery, had 55 Mr.. Claiming was
declared elected. Adjourned to Monday.
At Bonneville, Missouri, two hundred negro