The Indianapolis daily herald., 1865-12-05
Thirty-ninth Congress--lst Session.

llhe iOllOWlng congressional proceedings il
additional to that published on third pas,e:1
The House then proceeded TO vote with the
following result: ColfaX, 139: Brooks 30
Mr.. Colfax W a. declared elected. and amid an
plause, was conducted TO the chair 10y Messrs
MOrrell and Brooks, when he returned thanks
in brief and eloquent speech. The Speaker
took the oath of office, and afterwards admin
istered II TO the members, who were called up
by delegations.
The speaker delivered the following address
"Gcntlcmcn of the House of Representatives:
the reassemblng Of Congress- marking As il
does the procession of our national history
l. always regarded with interest bv our nee
pie. for whom II l. our duty to legislate But
II snot unsafe 10 say that millions more than
ever before, both north and south. east and
west, are looking 10 the first Congress- which
/ opens its first session to-day. | wish an ear
neStness unequaled ON similar occasions in
the past. The thirty eighth Congress closed
it, constitutional existence with storm: clouds
of war still lowered over Us, and after a nine
months absence Congress assumes lis legisla-
tive authOriSy in these council halls rciolcing
that from shore TO shore, in our land, there is
peace. It's duties are as obvious rs the suns
pathway in the heauens, representing in its two
branches. the state and people. the first and
highest obligation l. 10 guarantee 10 every
State a republican form of government. The
rebellion having overthrOwn the state govern
ment OF states IL Is yours TO mature a reac-
! ton of legislation, with the Concurrence of
antee all necessary safeguards TO the people
and afford what our magma charta declaration
of Independence procams chief of the govern
ments protection 10 all men in their inaien-
able rights. The world should witness in this
great work, the most inleXible fidelity. and
most earnest devotion 10 the principle, If hb-
erty and humanitO the truest patriots and
the truest statesmen, by the hundreds of thou
sands have died that the republic might live.
The emblems Of mourning have darkened the
Z W H1tp House AMI fna 4 altiunf al lint fI.
+ hres 81 civil war have melted every fetter i'm
+ the land and proved the funeral dire, of >la
/ very. It, Tor You Representatives TO do vorr
work al faithfully and ~ well a. did the t.ar
less saNiors OF the Union i'm their more
dangerous arena Of duty: then we nav STATE
10 SEE the vacant and once abandoned seats
around Us gradually filling up. until thi, Hall
f shall contain Representatives from every Stat,
and District, their hearts devoted To the Union
which they are 10 legiSlate. Jealous of il honor
proud of it, glory, watchful of it, rights hos
+ tale 10 it, cnemics-and the stars on our banner
that paled when the States they represented
arrayed Themselves in arms against the nation.
will shine with more brilliant light of low
aliy than ever before, applauSel working the
guidance Of Him who holds the DESTINY of IA
tiou> in the hollow Of his hand. enter again
upon the duties Of this trying position with
herrt nlled with gratitude 10 YOU for the unu-
suall flattcring manner in which il has been
bestowed and chcered by the hope that IL be-
tokens your cordial support and assistance in
all iis grave responsibility. | am now ready
I, take the oath Of Office prescribed hy law.
\ resolution was then adopted declariue Mr..
Mcpherson. Clerk: Mr.. Ordway, >ergeauf-af-
Arms; Mr.. Goodenow. Doorkeeper Mr. Gwin.
Postmaster. Until their succession shall be.
duly qualified, the yeas and NAYS were ordered
Ou tBr rc>oluiiOn-yca> 80. nay> -. These
oihetrs 81 the House were then sworn in.
Mr. Thad. stevens. of Pennsy lNania. offered
i "A hill, " hich was approved in the Republican
caucus for the appointment II Commissioner
u examine and report whether any so-cSiled
confederate states are entitled % representa-
tlon IN Congress.
Mr.. Wa>hhurne. Of Illinois. gave notice II a
4 gular armv
Mr. nrth gave notice of bill 10 amend the
..tst'su',on' - a> L. apportion the rcpresen-
-, eo..-i', nc ording 70 the number Of
leSsl voters IN each district.
Mr.. hillcn gave notice ~ bi. intention =, ia
suffrage. ~ -
BE it enacted ty tn sera'e and House Of
grrss assembled. That ir,m aii LAW. epJ MT.
Il laws prescribing the qualite,,i,ns - g.,
ing any Office IN the District s,f s.e.inp,i.i, .l
word white" be. and the sans i hcr,b,
stricken oui. and thai from and anfrtbe nas.
saec II this act. ne person shall he iiS,i,alifil
from voting NJ any election held in said Ipi>frif
On account II color.
section >. And be- il further resolved. That
All law of tongress. and ali laws of the state
u Mary land. IN force in said District. ana all
ordnance, q the cities of Washington and
georgetown, Inconsistent with the pro. i>ian.
% this act, are hereby repealed
MI. NlbiaeA asked leave o. offer a re-a lutioll
that. pending the consideration n fhe subject
the member claiming seai, be admitted a. tn
door of the House.
Mr.. Eldridge opposed the introduction of
the bill.
Mr.. stevens moved 70 suspend the rules.
The motion was agreed 10. AMI the bill was
then introduced.
Mr.. Dawson moved TO lay the bill on the
table. The bill. as introduced by Mr.. stevens.
Wa passed by the following vOte-yeas l25
NAYS %.
! The House then adjourned.