Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-12-24

%. olaifsviIis, Ohio, Dsc. "a, 1858.
ecenes at the Organization Of tho U.
8. Houss sf Representatives.

ecenes at the orgsnixation Of tho u.
8. Houss VI Representatives.
Agate, the Washington correspondent
Of the Ciueiunati Gazette, siveSsn interest.
ing aud graphic description Of the scenes in
the Lower House Of Congress, pending the
recent organisation.
The Clsrk Of the last House Emerson
Etheridse, Of Tsunessee to preside
over the inchoste House until IL should be
organised. He refused to place on the rolls
of the House the names Of the members
elect from Maryland. West Virginia, Mis-
souri. Oregon, and Kansas on the ground
that their certificates Of election did not
show that they we're elected in accordance
with the laws Of their States respectively.
or the laws of the United States"
THE uorR OF MEETING.
The stream Of visitors grows larger as the
hour of meeting approaches. il pours up
the main entrance TO the Hall, but tho
watchful guardians sturdily protect the pas
sage; it spreads out TO each side Of the grsnd
staircases, stops to gaze at Lsntzc's picture,
and 6aally foods the galleries and submer
ese Ghs doorteepers.
Beneath is the old, familiar scene, e,-mem-
bers clustering in groups among the desks
and ct the cloak-roou,s, shaking hands With
fervor that 10 sometimes suspicion. md an
unetion that is always edifying; talking Of
the campaigns Of tbs Fall, and the APP
proAching contests; ard good humoredly
rallying one another on rspudiation BY in-
fatuated constituents, or added babies, or
prospering schemes. Beneath it is a watch
ful earDestness,-the touch is velvet but
there are claws beneath, and many believe
they will soon be needed.
Over on tho left ofthe Speakers chsir,-
time out Of mind the Administration rally
ing ground, ,--is thoughtful group. One
ofmany years, and half bitter, half kindly
smile that has alternately chilled and warm
ed . generation Of public men. is, as hc al
ways 10, the central 6gurs. When the reb-
els made good their boasts Of invading the
North, this man was the especial victim Of
their hate. They gathered their troops
about his possessions, sent for their leading
Generals, to give dignity and character to
tho proceeding, and then, by official order
and under official inspection, they paid their
debt Of hate for his life long services for
freedom by-burBing his iron mills, and re-
duoinG the wealthy old man Of seventy to
dependence once again upon his daily earn
ings fer his daily bread. Around him clus-
tor othsrs-a Msjor-G Genoral, fresh from the
fields of our glory in the Southwest; a
shrewd, sharp son of Massachusetts, hith.
erto Chairman Of the Committee on Elec-
tons, and one or two more.
The crowd in the galleries know nothing
of it; even the wary opposition arc ignorant
Of it; but these men hold in their hands the
organisation OF the House. They have
been chosen to lead the Administration side
they have carefully arranged their program
me Of parliamentary resistance TO the an
tioipsted attempts Of the Clerk, aud come
what may, they are prepared for auy resist
snce that may bc made to securing for the
acknowledged majority their just rights.
The Clerk has called the House to order,
refused to call the names Of the members
from tho States above named, read the SEQ.
ton Of the law which he claims justifes his
action, and at the request Of Mr.. Stevens
the certificates Of tho Maryland members,
signed by Gov. Bradford. We let Agate
tell the balance.
As the reading progress, there is curious
sxpectant cir on all faces. Where docs the
inicrmality come in on which the monstrou'
effort in made TO disfranchise State2 The
law on which the Clerk relies only require,
the certificate to show an election ''in accord
ance with tho law OF the State or of the
United States" This certificate recites tho
law oil the State, says the election was helC
in accordance with II, and officially csrtifes
under the seal Of the State and tho sigma
ture ofthe Governor Of the State, that Ger
tain men had the grsntest number of votes
yssrevtisely, and were duly eected An,
these names tho Clerk has committed tn,
infamy ofleaving out!
The rank aud flie on the Democratic sid,
look dismaycd-ths doubtful but honorable
Border State mes disguised. They mr.
willing 10 do much TO gain advantage 10
their party, but they will not attain it by
sacrifice of their hsnor.
The eliminating point. Of the contest be
tween the conspirator Clerk and the out
ragged majority has come. While the csr
ti6csts WAS being read, tho group on tn
left has been consulting; the muImur OF in
dignation st its close has hardly run aroun,
the ball, I'LL Dawes Is again on his feet an,
has compelled the Clerks attention.
..Mr. Clerk, offer the following resolu
doni .nd upon Il ! demand the prcv'ou
question"
Half . dossn pages dart for the bit Of pa
Der in his hand, II 10 borne to the Clerk
Who, (ifbis face bs taken as evidence
would a. lief rscsivs lighted bomb; CALLER
les and noor give tho proioundsst attcntio
while he reads:
'Resolped, That the names Of John A. J
Creswell, Edwin II. Webster, Henry Win
ter Davis, Francis Thomas, and Benjami
g. Harris, be placed ongthe roll Of thi
House a. Representatives from Maryland.
II % bomb. Mr.. Etheridge has jus
two things to do. fhe dares to carry ou
his conspiracy he must promptly refuse I
entertain the motion, on tho ground ths
the uuorganizsd House has no power to Ia
'suuct him to violate his construction Of
Law; or he must rule the resolution in order
aud hopslsssly abandon his plot.
The galleries do not fully understand th
exact point the game hss reached, an
merely look on In curious expectancy. Ol
the Floor Il 70 understood There has bee
talk I'll day Sunday, and this morning, of
possibility oi violence. The Administrs
ton men have calmly resolved that, havin,
gained the majority before the people, the.