Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
1xxIXTH CONGRESs-FIRsT SESSION.
MONDAY. December 4


mont. Mr.. Pollard took the prescribed oath.
Mr.. Wright presented the credentials of John
Z. stockton, Senator elect from New Jersey
Mr.. Cowan presented the protest of members
of The Legislature of New Jersey, alleging that
majority of that body had not voted for MIR.
Stockton, and that he was not therefore con-
stiiutIonally elected.
The protest was ordered to lie on the table
for the present, and Mr.. Stockton took the pre-
scribed oath.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bills of the following
titles: A bill to carry out the principles Of a
republican form of government in the District
of Columbia; bill prescribing an oath to man-
tain republican form of government in the
rebel States; a bill in part execution of the
guarantee of republican form of government
in the Constitution of the United States; a bill
on the subject of appropriate legislation to
enforce the amendment of the Constitution
prohibiting slavery; bill to preserve the right
OF trial by jury by securing impartial Jurors in
the courts of the United States; a bill to enforce
the guarantee of repu blican form of go vernment
in certain States whose governments have been
usurped and overthrown.
Mr.. Sumner introduced the following Joint
resolutions Joint resolution declaratory Of
the amendment abolishing avery; a series of
resolutions declaring the duty of Congress,
pecially in respect to the loyal citizens of rebel
States; series of resolutions declaratory of
the duty OF Congress with respect to guarantees
of the national security and national faith in
the rebel States. The above were all ordered
to be printed.
MIR. Wade introduced bill to regulate the
franchise in the District of Columbia, which
was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Harris introduced a bill to regulate the
Judiciary of the United States; ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to maintain the
freedom of the inhabitants of States declared in
rebellion; ordered TO be printed.
Adjourned at o'clock.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES, McPher.
son, at noon. proceeded, in accordance with
law, 10 call the roll of the members elect of the
Thirty ninth Congress.
MIR. Maynard (whose name is not on the ROLL
wanted TO make a suggestion, but the Clerk re-
fused TO be interrupted.
The roll call was completed, IT'S members
having answered to their names
Mr.. Morrill, moved that the House proceed
to the election of a Speaker.
Mr. Maynard desired to submit remark be-
fore that question was put
Mr. Stevens called the gentleman to order
MIR. Mcpherson, the Clerk, said he could not
recognize any one as a member whose name
was not on the roll.
Mr.. Brooks hoped the motion would not pre-
vail until II was settled whether Mr.. Maynard
was member of this House, or entitled to.be
heard. He hoped the House would not proceed
TO any revolutionary steps, as now indicated.
If Tennessee was not in the Union and LOYAL
State, by what right does the President himself
hold his seat at the White House He trusted
the gentleman would be heard, for if the rule
of exclusion should prevail, the Clerk would
have an over hadowing power, in violation of
the principles of republican government.
MIR. Brooks, in further discussion of the SUBJ
Ject, asked by what law of right old Virginia
was excluded, and why was louisiana whose
mem bers at the commencement of the former
Congress, were allowed to vote for Speaker
He said, in the course of his speech, that the
resolution adopted by the Republican caucus
on Saturday was intended as an antagonism to
the forthcoming message of The President of
the United States.
Mr.. Stevens raised the point OF order that it
was heretofore held that besides the election of
Speaker or motion TO adjourn no other bust.
ness was in order prior to organization.
r. MCPHERSON held tn no
taken.
Finally, under the operation of the previous
question, the House proceeded to the election
of a Speaker.
MIR. morrill, nominated Hon. Schuyler Col
fax
Mr.. Winfield nominated Hon. Jas. Brooks
Messrs., Morrill,, Dawson, Smith and Fink
were appointed tellers.
The result was announced:
Whole number Of votes, l75; necessary to a
or which Mr.. Colfax received. .........139
MT BROOKS ........................3 5
Mr.; Colfax was therefore declared elected
Speaker.
The announcement was received with ap.
plause.
Messrs Morrill, and Brooks conducted the
Speaker to the chair when he made an eIo-
quent speech, some parts Of which were ap-
piauded, and expressed his gratitude for the
honor again conferred upon him. The speech
is as follows:
Gentlemen Of the House of Representatives. The
re-assembling of Congress, marking, as it does,
the procession of our national history, is ALWAYS
regarded with interest by the people for whom
1t is to legislate But it is not unsafe to say that
millions more than ever before, North, South,
East, and West, are looking to the Congress
which opens its first session to-day with an
earnestness and solicitude uneuualied on SINH
lar occasions in the past The Thirty -eighth
Congress closed its constitutional existence with
the storm cloud of war still lowering over us
And, after nine months absence, Congress
Resumes It's legislative authority in these COun-
ell Halls, rejoicing that from shore to shore in
our land there is peace.
Its duties are as obvious as the SUMS path
way In the heavens. Representing, in its two
branches, the States and the people its first
and highest obligation is TO guarantee TO every
State republican form of Government. The
rebellion having overthrown constitutional
State governments in many States, il is yours
10 mature and enact legislation which, with
inc concurrence OF the Executive, shall estab-
ilsh them anew, on such a basis of enduring
Justice as Will guarantee all necessary safe
guards to the people, and afford, what our
Magma Charta, the Declaration Of Indepen.
dence, proclaims Is the chief object of Govern
ment-Irotection to all men in their inalienable
rights. The world should witness, in this great
work, the most inflexible fidelity the most earn
est devotion TO the principles of liberty and
humanity; the truest patriotism, and the wisest
craftsmanship.
Heroic men by the hundreds of thousands
have died that the Republic might live. The
emblems of mourning have darkened White
House and cabin alike. But the fires of civil
war have melted every fetter in the land, and
proved the funeral pyre OF slavery. 1t is for
You, Representatives, 10 do your work as faith
fully and as well as did the fearless sayiors OF
The Union on their more dangerous arena of
duty.
Then we may hope to see the vacant and
once abandoned seats around us gradual fill
ing up, until this Hall shall contain Repre-
sentatiyes from every State and District, their
hearts devoted to the Union for which they are
TO legislate, Jealous of its honor, proud Of It's
glory, watchfnl of Its rights, and hostile to it's
enemies. And the stars on our banner that
paied when the States they represented ar
rayed themselves in arms against the nation
VIII shine with a more brilliant light Of loyalty
than ever before
Invoking the guidance of Him who hold the
destinies of nations in the hollow Of his hand,
L enter again upon the duties of this trying
position, with a heart filled with gratitude TO
you for the unusually flattering manner in
which IL has been bestowed: and cheered by
the hope that II betokens your cordial support
and assistance in all It's grave responsibilities
am now ready to take the oath of office pre-
scribed by law.
The oaths of office was ndministe by Hon
h IL. Washburne, of Illinois, the oldest con-
secutiye member of the House The oaths
were then administered to the members present,
by delegations, in order.
Mr.. wilson, of Iowa. offered resolution de-
claring the following named gentlemen to he