Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-14
THIRTY-E1GHTH CONGRESS.
W.su,xarox Dac

err 8a WASHINGTON, Dec 7.
HoUsx.-Atnoon, Etheridge, Clerk. called the
House to order. He said be would proceed to
call the roll of members and of such only whose
credentials show they were regularly elected in
accordance with the laws Of their States and Of
the United States
HousE.-The Clerk read The roll Of members
from all the States excepting Maryland, West
Virginia. Oregon. Missouri and Kansas ia
Mr.. Stevens of Virginia, desired that the ere
dentiais of those whose names we're not on the
roll be read. 500
The CLERK said he had placed on the roll the
names OF all those whose credentials have evi
dence. in accordance with the law passen by this
House in March last
Mr.. Washburn asked whether there were any
seats vacant
The Clerk replied that there were or from
Missouri, one from Virginia and one from Ken
lucky as he called.
Mr. Stevens repeated his reqvest =
Mr.. Styles of Pa, asked for the reading of the
act Of March Sd. Dc a
| The act was read as follows:
Gan act regulating the duties of the Clerk of
the House of Representatives in preparing for the
organization of the House.
"Be it enacted, &C., That before the meeting
of the next Congress, and Of every succeeding
Congress, the Clerk Of the next preceding House
of Representatives shall make roll of the Rep
resentatives elect and place thereon the names Of
all persons. and such persons only, whose Gre
dentials show that they were regularly elected in
accordance with the laws of their States respec-
lively, OF the laws of the United States"
At the request of Mr.. Stevens, the Clerk read
the form of the credentials of the Maryland
members. which he had ruled out for informality.
Mr.. Davis offered resolution that the names
of the Maryland delegates be on the rolls of the
House, and moved the previous question, which
was seconded.
| Mr.. j. c. Allen moved to lay the resolution on
the table. The question taken on Mr.. Aliens
motion TO lay Mr.. Davis resolution on the table
was decided in the negative-yeas IA, nays "a,
which caused applause from tue galleries and on
the floor of the House.
/ Mr.. Davis demanded vote on his resolution
which was adopted, followed by applause; so the
names of the Maryland delegates were placed on
| the rolls.
Mr.. Davis, of Maryland, offered resolution
directing the names Of the Missouri members to
| be placed the rolls.
On motion of Mr.. Garfield the credentials of
the Representative from Oregon we're read, and
that gentleman's name was entered upon the
| rolls. o.
On motion of Mr.. Pike the same course was
adopted with regard to the names of members
from West Virginia.
Mr.. Stevens then asked that the credentials of
the Louisiana members, Messrs. Beal, Coltman
and Baker, be read.
Their credentials state that the election was in
accordance with the vote, condition and laws of
Louisiana, and that said election was held on the
ID of November last. The credentials of Louis
lana members were signed by j. L. Riddle, Gov
ernor of Louisiana.
Mr.. Stevens moved that the names of the
e.
Mr.. Brooks said the House could elect q
Speaker without the names of these gentlemen
being struck off the rolls.
Mr.. Stevens protested against their admission,
in order to facilitate the organization he would
withdraw his motion for the present and agan
offer it when the Louisiana members were to be
sworn in.
1 The credentials of the members from Virginia
were read at the instance of Mr.. Lovejoy and a
resolution was offered that their names be enter
ed on the rolls.
Mr.. j. G. Allen raised the point that the Gre
dentials were certified to merely by the County
Clerk He moved to lay the resolution OH the
table.
The Clerk read the credentials, as he under
stood they were in accordance with the laws oil
Virginia.
A brief conversation ensured as to the legality
of the credentials. when the question taken
members from Virginia were entered on the
rolls.
Mr.. Washburne moved that the House proceed
to the election of Speaker viva voce, which
was agreed to.
4 Mr.. Washburre nominated Mr. Colfax.
Mr.. Pendleton nominated Mr.. Cox.
Mr.. Gueder nominated Mr. Mallory
Mr.. Steele, of New York, nominated Mr.
Stebbns
Mose-s K;,, and Qi.;, az M;s,ocr; ,yara La
placed in nomination.
Messrs. Pendleton, Dawes, Wadsworth and
Pomeroy were appointed tellers to conduct the
election.
The House then proceeded TO vote with the
following result:
Whole number of votes lSl; necessary to a
choice s. Mr.. Colfax l0l; Mr.. Cox 40; MIR
King a. Mr.. Mallory 10; Mr.. Stebbins 3: Mr.
DAWSON ID; and Mr.. Blair g.
The Clerk declared Mr.. Colfax duly snd le-
gaIy elected.
The announcement was greeted with tremend
GUS applause.
! Messrs. Dawson and Cox we're appointed a
committee TO conduct the Speaker to the chair.
The Speaker upon taking the chair delivered ,
brief, eloquent and patriotic address, which wai
received with general applause.
! WAsAINGToS, December T.
J SESArE-The Vice President called the Sen
ate to order at noon to day.
The credentials of Messrs. Wiley and Van
, Wrinkle, Senators elect from West Virginia, wer,
presented by Mr.. Callgater.
The credentials of Mr. Convers of California
were presented by Mr. Nesmith
Thh credentials of Mr.. Henderson of Missouri
, were presented by Mr.. Foote.
Messrs. Convers and Henderson were qualifet
and took the oath of loyalty prescribed by III,
last Congress.
Mr.. Davis raised the question as to the right o
. the Senators from West Virginia to take seats
He held there was, constitutionally and legally
no such State. His object was simply to pu
{ ON record bis objection.
} After debate, Mr. Davis, as a test question
that the oath of Office be administered to tn
| Senators from West Virginia. which was carriel
, by yeas Sc. nays 5.
4 The nays were Messrs. Buckalew, Davis
Hendricks, McDougall and Powell
. Mr. Sherman offered resolution that tn
Committee on Judiciary Enquire and repor
{ whether Hon. Robert Wilson is still Senate
from Missouri Mr.. B. Gratis Brown having re
5 Gently been elected Senator by the Legislature o
: Missouri. but not appearing here yet, Mr. Wilson
, who appointed by the Governor at the las
Q session to MI vacancy, was still in his seat to
, day.
The resolution was not voted on.
' On motion of Mr.. Foote, resolution wa
adopted appointing a committee of three to wail
/ In connection with a committee on the part o
[. States, and inform him of the readiness Of Con
gress to receive bis annual message.
: Senators Foote. Trumbull and Nesmith wer
Oh