The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-12-05
Censres.ional.L

the House were densely crowded at
noon. Mr.. Mcpherson, the Clerk, pro.
ceeded to call, as required by law, the
roll of the members elect. While they
were being called, Mr. Maynard, of Ten
nessee, whose name had not been placed
on the roll by Mr.. Jefferson, wanted to
suggest something, but the Clerk refused
to be interrupted. After the Clerk oom-
nleted, Mr.. Maynard again spoke, but
the Clerk again ruled him out of order.
One hundred and seventy-fve members
answered to their names. Z =
Mr.. James Brooks, of New York, made
speech characterizing the omission of
the names of the members from Tennes-
see from the roll as unprecedented, un-
just and totally uncalled for. If, he
said, Mr.. Maynard was not loyal man,
from q Union and loyal State, then the
President of the United States was not q
loyal man, but an alien and a stranger.
He charged that the adoption of the
resolution excluding the Southern mem
bers from this House by Republican eau
Gus was designed as antagonistic to the
Presidents forthcoming message. s =
The House took no action on the sub
ieet, but under the operation of the previ-
Gus question, proceeded to the. election
of Speaker Hon. Schuyler Colfax, of
Indiana, and Hon. Jas. Brooks, of New
York, were put in nomination.
The House then proceeded to vote,
with the following result: For Mr.. Col
fax, 139; for Mr.. Brook, SIS. Mr.. Colfax
was declared elected, and amid applause
was conducted to the chair by Messrs
Merrill and Brooks.
The Speaker delivered the following
address:
Gentlemen ofthe House of Representatives:
Tho reassembling Of Congress, mark
ing as it does the procession of our ma
tional history, is always regarded with
interest by the people for whom IT isto
legislate, but it is not unsafe to say that
millions more than ever before, North,
South, East and West, are looking to this
Congress, which opens it's first session to-
day, with an earnestness and solicitude
unequalled on similar occasions. The
thirty-eighth Congress closed its constr
tutional existence with the storm cloud
of war still coming over us, and, after a
nine months absence, Congress resumes
its legislative authority in these coulcil
halls rejoicing that from shore to shore
in our land there is peace. It's duties are
as obvious as the suns's pathway in the
heavens; representing in its two branches
the States and theipeople, its first and
highest obligation is to guarantee to
every State a republican form of govern
ment. The rebellion having overthrown
the constitutional State government in
many States it is yours to mature and
enact legislation which will guarantee
all necessary safe guards to the people,
afford what our Magma Charter the De-
claration of Independence proclaims the
chief subject of government protection
to all men in their inalianable rights
(applause)C The world should witness in
this great North the most inhexible
fidelity, the most earnest devotion
to the principles of liberty and human
ity, the truest patriotism and the wisest
craftsmanship. Men by the hun
dreds of thousands have died that the
might live. The emblems of
have darkened the White
House and the 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
to do your work faithfully. as did the
fearless saviours of the Union. Then
we may hope to see the vacant and once
abandoned seats around us grad.
uaIy fill up, until this hall shall
contain Representatives from every
State and district, their hearts
devoted to the Union for which they
are to legislate, jealous of the honor,
proud of its glory, watchful of its right
and hostile to it's enemies and the stars
on our banner, that paled when the
States they represented arrayed them
selves in arms against the nation, will
shine with a more brilliant light of 10y:
atty than ever before. (Applause.) In-
voking the guidance OF Him who holds
the DESTINY of nations In the hollow of
His hand, | enter anew upon the duties
of this trying position with heart filled
with gratitude to you for the unusually
hattering manner in which 1t has been
bestowed, and cheered by the hope that
it betokens your cordial support and as
sistance in all its grave responsibilities,
| am now ready to take the oath of office
prescribed by law.
Mr.. Thadeus Stephens, of Pennsylva-
MIA, offered bill which was approved by
the Republican cGusus, for the appoint
ment of a commission to examine and re-
port whether any of the so-called Confed-
crate States are entitled to representa-
tion in Congress.
Mr.. Eldridge objected to the introduc-
ton of the bill.
Mr Storms moved to suspend the
rules.
MIR. Dawson moved TO lay the bill upon
the table The House refused to lay
the bill upon the table.
The bill, rs introduced by Mr.. Stephens,
was then passed by the following vote:
Yeas 1913; nays SO.
The House then adjourned
The Senate met at twelve o'clock,
noon, and was called to order by Vice.
President Foster The Rev Mr. Gray
offered up prayer.
SENATE MIR Wright presented the
credentials of Mr.. Stockton as Senator
elect from New Jersey.
Mr.. Cowan presented q protest against
the reception of Mr. Stockton, signed by
the members of tue New Jersey legisla-
ture, urging that Mr.. Stockton did not
receive constitutional majority of
votes which was necessary to his election
as Senator. The protest was ordered to
be laid upon the table for the present and
Mr.. Stockson was duly sworn into office.
Mr.. Wade presented bill to regulate
~ oloot;ya fropchisa in the District of