The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-11-15
House of II representatives

Much discussion is being had as to what
Mcpherson, the Clerk Of the House, will do
with the members from the late rebel states.
1t is the duty Of the Clerk of the House, to
call the roll of all members having certificates
Of election signed and sealed by the Governors
Of the States from which they come: if any
f..i;:l was committed in their election, the
House, after organizing, can investigate it.
The new theory Of the Republican party is
in direct conflict with the Constitution-that if
the Clerk shall satisfy himself that the newly
restored States have not sent up men in accor.
dance with the views of Massachusetts, the
Clerk aforesaid can refuse to call their names,
and thus the ex rebel, but now according to
Andrew Johnson) loyal States, will be excluded
from participating in the business of the Nation
Wendell Phillips, st. Charles Sumner and the
radicals en- naaSse, are urging the Clerk to throw
this apple of discord before Congress and thus
get up row. The Cincinnati Commercial,
Republican Daily of the sensible and moderate
aH extract to show where the revoutionistS
vii! be in case the puissant Clerk follows the
directions of fanatics. 49,
'On the 81 of December, 1889, at the open
ing OF the Goth Congress, Hugh Garland, Clerk
OF the goth Congress, refused to call the names
: ct the members from New Jersey, because the
seats Of all the members of that State were
contested. For three days there was an ex-
cited and wild debate, the House being both
uporganzed and disorderly. On the fourth
day, the Clerk was directed to call the roll
again, and commencing with Maine had pro-
ceedel according to the geographical situation
OF the States, as far as New Jersey, and was
about to say that he would not call the names
of the members of that State, when John
Quincy Adams, who had rot had anything to
say about the controversy up to that moment,
suddenly took the floor and said: Il rise to in.
terrupt the Clerk
Instantly there WIS profound silence in the
Hall, and Mr.. Adams said:
awe degrade and disgrace our constituents,
and the country because the Clerk of the
House, the mere Clerk, whom we employ, and
whose existence depends upon oIir WILL usurps
the throne and sets US. the Representatives and
vice gerents OF the whole American people, at
defiance, and holds us in contempt. And what
il this Clerk of yours? Is he to suspend, by
his mere negative, the functions of Govern.
ment, and put an end to this Congress? He
refuses 10 call the roll! 1t is in your power to
compel him to call it, if he will not do it voun.
ta.ily. (ilere Mr. Adams was interrupted by
a member, who said he was authorized to say
that compulsion could not reach the Clerk, |
who had avowed that he would rather resign |
than cali the State of New Jcrsey). Well, |
cir, let him resign, continued Mr.. Adams, and |
we may possibly discover some way by which |
we can get along without the aid OF his power
iul talent, learning and gcnius.'
Mr.. Adams submitted motion to REQUIRE the |
Clerk to call the roll for the State of New
Jersey, and there was general cutlery Of
''How shall the question be put?" All knew
the Clerk would not put it. Mr.. Adams said:
81 intend to pat the question myself" That
solved the difficulty. Richard Barnwell Rhett,
OF South Carolina, sprang upon a desk, and
moved that the Hon John Quincy Adams, of
Massachusetts. take The chair MS presiding
officer, and oificiate until the House be organ.
lied by the election of its constitutional officers
The motion was put and carried. MIR. Adams
was escorted to the chair. New Jersey was
called, and the House organized If Edward
McPherson, the mere Clerk 'usurps the
throne and attempts to play the role of Hugh
Garland, it will not be difficult to find one who
can follow the Adams precedent in bringing
order out of chaos. 1t was easy for Inc Cour-
tiers OF Ferdinand to make an egg stand on
end after Columbus had shown them how so
ronnarkahie . foot might DO accomplished"