Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-12-07

recess until one, when 1t re assembled and
directed the Secretary to inform the House
OF its organization.
l. Adjourned.
! HOUSE,
The galleries Of the House were densely
/ crowded at noon. Mr.. NcPhorson, the
Clerk, proceeded to call, as required by law,
the roll Of the members elect. While the
roll was being called. Mr.. Maynard fTen-
nessee, whose name had not been placed on
the rsli by Mr. Mcpherson, wanted to sug.
gest something, but the Cletk refused to be
| interrupted. After the Clerk completed,
Mr.. Maynard again spoke, but the Clerk
| again ruled him out of order. IFS members
answered to their names
Mr.. Jas. Brooks, Of New York, made
speech, characterizing the omission of the
names ofthe members from Tennessee from
the roll as unprt Gee ented, unjust aud otally
uncaled for. If, he said, Mr. MAYNARD
was not loyal man from Union and 10y
al State, then the President Of the United
States was not a loval man, but an alien
and stranger. He charged that the
adoption of the resolution excluding the
Southern members from this House by the
Republican caucus, was designed as antag-
onistic to the Presidents forthcoming mes
sage.
The House took no action on the subject,
but under the operation CT the previous
question, proceeded to the election OF a
Speaker Hon Schuyler Cnlfax, of Indiana,
and Hon. JAS. Brooks, of New York, were
put in nomination.
The House then proceeded to vote with
the following result:
For Colfax l39, for Mr. Brooks SIS. Mr..
Colfax was declared elected, and, amid
applause, was conducted to the chair by
Messrs. Morrill, and Brooks, when he re.
turned his thanks ia briet and eloquent
speech as follows: ,....,
Geatienlen of The House of Represetta-
es.:--The re-assembhne of Congress mark
! ing, as it does, the procession of our na-
| ti0nal history, is always regarded with iu-
terest by the people for whom it in to legis.
late, but it is no, 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 unequalled on
similar occasions in the past. The Thirty.
Eighth Congress closed its constitutional
existence with the storm cloud of war still
looming over US. and after nine months
absence Congress resumes its legislative au-
thority in these council halls, rejoicing that
| from shore to shore in our land there is
peace. Its duties are as obvious as the
sure pathway in the heavens, representing
in its two branches the States and the peo.
pie. Its first and highest Obligation is to
guarantee to every State u republican forla
of government The rebellion having teen
overIhrown the Constitutional State govern
ments ir many States is yours to mature,
and enact legislation which win meet the
concurrence of such a degree 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 the chief object of the
government is, protects on to all men in. their
individual rights. (fppause.
The world should witness in this great
work the most infexihe fidelity, the most
earnest devotion to the principles of liberty
and humanity the truest natriotism and
the wisest craftsmanship. Men by the hun.
public might live. The emblems of mourn.
ing have durkened the White House and
the cabin alike; but the fires Of civil war
have melted every fetter in the land and
prove the funeral pyre Of slavery. 1t il for
you representatives to do your work a. faith
fully and as well as did the fearless saviors
oi the Union in their dangerous arena of
duty. Then We may hope to see the vacart
and once abandoned seats around Us grad
uaily q ling up. until this hall shall contain
representatives from every state and dis
trict; their hearts devoted to the Union
which they are to legislatc, jealous of its
honor, proud OF its glory, watchful of its
rights and hostile to it's enemies, and the
stars on our banner that paled when the
States they represent arrayed themselves in
arms ayainst the nation will shine with q
more brilliant light of loyalty than ever be.
fore. Applause.
Evoking the guidance of Him who holds
the destinies OF nations in the holloy OF His
hand, enter anew upon the duties Of this
trying position with heart filed with graft.
tude to you for the unusually fattering
manner in which it has been bestowed and
cheered by the hope that it betokeus your
cordial support and assistance in all its grave
responsibilities .e-sr a-st-.,g
Fam now ready to take the oath of Office
prescribed by law.
The Speaker took the oath of Office and
afterwards administered it to tho members,
who were called up by delegations
A resolution was then offered declarin,
Mr.. Mcpherson Clerk, Mr. 0r,lway Ser
gesnt-st arms, Mr.. Goodman, Doorkeeper,
and Mr.. Given. Post-master. until their
successors shall be duly qualified ~
The yeas and nays were ordered on the
resolution, with the following result: Yeas
1875. nays IS. ~
The officers of the House were then
sworn in,
Mr.,Thaddsus Stevens, of Pa, offered a
bill which was approved in the republican
caucus. for the appointment of committee
to examine and report whether any Of the
50 called Confederate States are entitlsd to
representation in Congress. N ~ :
! MIR. Eldridge objected to the introduction
Of the bill. ,.4 e
| Mr.. Stevens moved to suspend the rules
The motion vas agreed to sud the bAl