Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-09

hat proceed to order. We ought to know who
have right to vote before We proceed with the
ganization. If the gentleman CMr. Maynard Is
nOtfrom State IN the Union, what man Is loyal
During the darkest period of the war while he was
an exile from Tennessee, l heard his eloquent
voice on the st. Lawrence urging my State to dis
charge its whole duty to the country; and here are
honorable gentlemen who will not permit him TO
be heard though he holds in his hand certificate
from the Governor of Tennessee. Neither has the
Clerk of the House read the names of membe
from Virginia. mean Old and not W estern Viz
glnla-Ovcr which Gov. Pierront has presided and
still prCsidcS ia which position he was elected dur
ing the war and whose loyalty is unGuestioned By
what right has the Virginia delegation been eX-
| cluded? lwant the Clerk to tell me. He has given
no reason for it. | viii yield the floor to enable
him to answer the question.
The Clerk replied III it is the desire of the
House, will give the reasons.
Mr. Stevens, in his chair-'Fhe House knows it
all. and don't want the reasons.
The Clerk said what he had done was in view
of his duty, and he was willing to let the record
stand.
Mr.. Brooks. resuming, said it was known to
some, but not 10 all, that the State of Louisiana
was here last Congress by permission of the gen
tieman IRON PennsylVanla tMr. stevens, who
gave his assent 10 the record; but now Louisiana
Is excluded. The Republicans then admitted two
members from Louisiana, and now the Clerk as
Sumed the responsibility of excluding the mem
bcrs elect from that State. Why this Inconsistency
Of action, as well as absurdity?
DEBATE on THE ADMISSION OF Southern MEM
BEERS.
r. - House
on the occasion to which the gentleman referred,
the Clerk put the names of the two Louisiana
members on the roll. They did not vote for
Speaker, and the House some time after refused
to let them be sworn in.
Mr.. Brooks-That was after the Speaker was
chosen.
Mr.. Washburne-They were never members
Mr.: Brooks-But they gave their votes for
Speaker without objection from the Republicans.
But the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Stew
ems did not want to hear the reasons of the clerk
4 ntrYs-
lana and Virginia were ali to be excluded without
debate. Were gentlemen afraid to face debate
after passing a resolution in caucus excluding
members from certain seats without discussion?
Mr.; Stcyens-l rise to point of order. 1t was
once held that on the assembling of members on
the first day of the session, other business was
IN order except a motion to organize by the elec-
ton of officers.
Mr.. Brooks-I trust the gentleman will not be
impatient. | would say TO him. strike, but first
hear. The action Of the clerk is to be carried on
without debate. In the whole history of the
country, and throughout the revolutionary period.
there IS no record of violence more fragrant than
that which is proposed to be visited on the minor
ity of the House by the exclusion of 81 Represen-
tativcs, and that, too, without debate. 1 would
ask the gentleman from Pennsylvania at what Pc
rlod he will introduce the joint resolution which
was approved in the Republican caucus? hope
he will inform u.s.
Voices-Don't tell. Don't answer him.
MIR. Stevens-Oh! | haze no objection to an
swering. 1t will be introduced by me at the prop
er time. Laughter ana RpplauSe.l
The Speaker said the motion would be in order
If the previous question has not been demanded.
Mr.. Dawson moved that the resolution be laid on
the table, which was decided in the negative
The House then passed the joint resolution by the
following vote; cas- l23; nays, So.
BILLS NOTICED.
Mr.. Washburne GlI) gave notice of bill 10
revive the grade Of General in the UnitcdTStateS
army.
Mr.. 0rth gave notice of bill to amend the Con
stitution so as to app0rtiOn Representatives in
Congress according to the number of legal voters
in each district.
RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT.
Mr.. Kelley pa gave notice of his intention to
introduce the following bill to extend the right of
suffrage in the District of Columbia;
BE 1t enacted, DC, That from ali laws and parts
of laws prescribing the qualifications of electors
for any office in the District of Columbia the word
white" be, and the same is hereby stricken out
and that from and afterthe passage of this act 20
person shall be disqualified from voting at any
election held in the said District on account of
color
SECTION .. And be It further enacted That all
acts of Congress and all laws of the State of Mary
land in force in said District and all ordinances of
the Cities of Washington and Georgetown, incon-
sisten with the provisions of this act are hereby
repealed.
ADMISSION TO THE HOUSE.
Mr. Niblack asked leave to offer a resolution
that, pending the consideration of the subject the
members claiming seats be admitted to the floor of
the House.
Pending the resolution the House adjourned.