The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1865-12-07
THIRTY-NlnTH CONGRESS-
FIRST SESSION.

Congress approached Monday morning,
throngs Of people were wendipg their
way along the avenue to the capitol, and
before the arrival Of noon the House
galleries were densely crowded with
ladies and gentlemen, and the Hobbies
also were overAowing. All interest ap-
peared to centre upon the House, ON
account Of the organization there to take
place, and the question concerning the
admission of Southern members. The
Senate galleries were also we'll filled,
but no excitement was there apparent.
The members gradually gathered upon
the floors Of both Houses, and it was
evident by noon that . quorum of each |
was present. i
SENATE.
The Senate met at noon on Monday,
forty-four Senatore being present. AT
ter prayer by the Chaplain, Mr.. Foote,
of Vermont, presented the credentials
of Luke 0. Pollard to fill the vacancy
occasioned by the death of Mr.. Cola
mer, and MIR. Cowan presented a protest
against the reception Of Mr.. Stockton
as Senator from New Jersey, on the
ground that he did not receive Con-
stitutional majority of the votes cast
The protest was ordered to lid"on the
table for the present, and Mr.. Stock
ton was duly sworn III.
Mr. Wade presenteda "a: bill to regu-
late the franchise in the District of
Columbia. The bill grants the right
of suffrage to every male negro twenty
one years of age, who has resided in
the, District for six months, and pre-
scribes unusual pains and penalties to
be inflicted upon any one who shall
disturb or interfere with such voter in
the exercise of his right. Mr.. Sum-
ner introduced the following bills !:
A bill providing that neither race
nor color shall be bar to the exercise
of the right of suffrage in the District
of Columbia, where the person is other
wise qualified to vote. This bill also
provides extraordinary pains and pen
alties for refusing to accept negro votes,
and prescribes that if the case be
brought to trial one half the jurors
shall be colored men.
The second bill introduced by Mr..
Sumner provides that where in 1860
one-sixth or more of the population was
of African descent, the negroes shall
compose one half of the grand and petit
juries where negro is concerned in the
matter to be tried. -
The third bill prescribes new oath
of allegiance, which not only binds the
party to maintain Republican form of
government in the State in which the
party is resident and in the United
States, but also obligates the swearer to
resist any attempt to repudiate or post
pone the payment of the public debt,
and to discountenance any laws making
any distinction Of color or race.
The fourth bill is designed to enforce
the Constitutional amendment by pun
ishing any attempt to control the SER
vices Of any person contrary to the
provisions against it. The penalty for
so doing is fine which is not to ex-
coed thousand dollars, or imprison-
ment for ten years, OF both fine and i'm
prisonment, at the discretion of the
Court.
A joint resolution was also intro
duced by Mr.. Sumner to amend the
Constitution SO as to make voters, in
stead Of population, the basis of repre-
sentation in Congress. After the in
PRODUCTION of other bills of minor
character, but, for the most part, of
equally radical tendencies, Mr.. Wilson
introduced bill to maintain the free
dom of the inhabitants of the States
formerly in instruction, under the
emancipation proclamation of July,
1852.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House of Representatives also
met at noon Monday. After the House
had been called to order by the Clerk,
one hundred and seventy-five members
responding to. their names, motion was
made to go into an election for Speaker,
but, pending the question, Mr.. Brooks,
of New York, arose and protested against
the action of Congress in refusing to
admit to their seats the represen-
tatives from Tennessee and other
States, and also demanded to know
the reason Of the arbitrary rule adopted
by the Clerk. After several calls to
order, which were not sustained, Mr..
Brooks proceeded with his remarks, but
was frequently interrupted, and finally
yielded the floor to admit of the nomi-
nation for Speaker Mr.. Colfax, the
former Speaker Of the House, was then
put in nomination, and also Mr.. Brooks.
One hundred and thirty-nine votes were
for Mr.. Colfax, and thirty-fve for Mr..
Brooks eighty eight being necessary to
a choice. Mr. Colfax being declared
duly elected, took his seat, and after the
customary address, the officers of the
House were nominated and promptly
chosen. A joint committee was appoint
ed to wait on the President and notify
him that the House was organized, after
which Mr., Stevens introduced a resolu-
ton, which was passed By a. vote of one.
hundred and thirty three to thirty-six,
calling for the appointment Of a joint
committee Of fifteen members-nine of
the House and six of the Senate--to