Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-08
CONGRESSIONAL.

w WARRINGTON, Dec. 4-The galleries OF the House
were densely crowded at noon. Mr.. Mcpherson,
Clerk proceeded to call as required by law, the roll
of the members elect Mr. Maynard, Of Tenn,
whose name had not been placed on the roll by
Mcpherson, wanted TO suggest something, but the
Clerk refused TO be interrupted After the call was
completed, Mr.. Maynard again rose to speak, but
the Clerk again ruled him out Of order. l75 mem
bers answered TO their names. Mr.. James Brooks
of N Y, made q Speech "characterizing the omiss-
ION of names of members from Tennessee from the
roll unprecedented unjust and totally uncalled for.
II, he said, Mr.. Maynard was not loyal man, FROM
a Union and loyal State, then the President Of the
United States was not loyal man, but an alien
and a stranger. He charged that the adoption Of
the resolution excluding Southern members from
this House by the Republican caucus was designed
to be antagonistic 10 the Presidents forth coming
message.
The House took no action on the subject, but I'M
der the operation of the previous question proceeded
to the election Of Speaker. Hon. Schuyler Colfax,
of Ind, and Hon. Jas Brooks, of N. Y, were put
in nomination. The House then proceeded 10 vote
with the following result Colfax l39, Brooks 3d.
Mr., Colfax was declared elected, and amid applause
was conducted to the chair by Messrs Merrett and
Brooks, when he returned thanks in brief and
eloquent spee.h. The Speaker took the oath Of
Office and afterwards administered it to members
who were called up by delegations. A resolution
was then adopted declaring Mr.. McPerson, Clerk;
Mr.. Ordway, Sergeant-at-Arms Mr.. Goodenow,
Doorkeeper; and Mr.. Given, Postmaster, until their
successors shall be duly qualified. The yeas and
nays were ordered on the resolution with the fol-
lowing result yeas 1875, nays 50. These officers
of the House were then sworn in.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pa, offered bill which was
offered in the Republican caucus, for the appoint
ment of committee 10 examine and report wheth-
er any of the so-caed Confederate States are ent-
tied to representation in Congress.
Mr.. Eldridge objected to the Introduction of the
bill.
Mr.. Stevens moved to suspend the rules, when
the motion was agreed to, and the bill then in
troduced.
Mr.. Dawson moved to lay the bill on the table.
The House refused to lay the bill on the table,
and the bill, as introduced by Mfr. Stevens, was
then passed by the following vote yeas 1913, nays
80.
The House then adjourned.
The Senate met AT IL o'clock, and called to order
by Yice-President Foster. The Rev. Mr.. Gray then
offered up prayer
Mr.. Foot Of Vt, presented the credentials of
Luke P. Holland, appointed to fill the vacancy oc-
casioned by the death of Mr. Colamer.
After announcement of prayer by Mr.. Gray, the
following Senators were present: Messrs Brown,
Bucklan, Chandler, Clark, Connard, Cowan, Cress-
well, Dixon, Doolittle, Fessendan, Foote, Foster,
Grimes, Guthrie, Homes Howard Howe, johnson,
Dane of Ind, McDow gal, Morgan, Howell, Mes
meth, Nye Pomeroy, Ramsey, Riddle, Salisbury,
Trumbull VanWinkle, Wade, Wiley, Williams,
Wilson, and Wright. Mr., Foote presented the Gre
dentials of Luke p. Holland, to fill the vacancy oc-
casioned by the death of Mr.. Coamer, Of Vt.
Credentials were read, and Mr. Holland took the
prescribed oath of allegiance. Mr.. Wright presen-
ted the credentials of Mr. Stockton as Senator elect
from New Jersey.
|, Mr. Cowan presented protest against sthe recep-
ton of Mr. Stockton, signed by members of the
New Jersey Legislature, alleging Mr.. Stockton did
not receive constitutional majority of votes which
was necessary ~ his election Senator. The pro-
test was ordered to be laid upon the table for the
present, and Mr. Stockton was duly sworn into
office.
Mr.. Wade presented bill 20 regulate the cleo
tive franchise in the District of Columbia. The
bill provides that from and after the passage of the
act every male citizen of twenty-one years Of age
who is a citizen of the United States, and a resi-
dent of the District for six months and never been
convicted of any infamous crime, shall have the
right of suffrage in the District.
| The second section imposes penalty for inter
ruption or interference of the right granted above
The bill was ordered to Be printed.
Mr.. Sumner introduced y bill to preserve the
right of the trial by jury; which provides that
grand juries shall consist one-half of persons OF
African descent in sections where one-sixth Of the
population are Africans, end the same p; OPPOSITION
in petit uries where the matters relate to any in
juries inflicted by person of African descent upon
a person not of such descent, and vice versa, and
prejudice against such African is made ground Of
challenge and exclusion from such juries.
The bill Vas ordered TO be printed.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill prescribing an oatl
u maintain q Republican form Of government in
Stats in rebellion, as foows | do hereby swear
that will ut all times hereafter use my best en-
deavors to maintain republican form of govern
IN,,an NJ in, tha SHafa uh oh spbo
and 10 the union ofthe United States and will a
all time recognize indissolub!e unity of the Re
public, and wall always dscountenance and resent
any endcayoIs to break away or secede from tht
Unisp; that fwill give my influence and vote al
all time to sastan the Dtonrl credit; that will
always disountenance and resist any attempt di.
rectlS or Adirectly, 20 repudate or proract eithe
in any part or in any way, any debt which wal
costHcted in the United States in subduing the ~
bellion, rs the obligations assumed to Union sol
diers will always discountenance and resist am
law making any distinctions of color or race anC
always will strive to maintain State Government
completely loyal to the Union; where all men shall
enjoy equal protection and equal rights. Sucl
oath shall be preserved, and if falsely taken sucl
person shall be guilty of perjury and in addition
to the present penalty for that crime, he shall for
felt his rights to holi office This was ordered Il
be printed.
Mr.. Sumner offered bill to enforce the constitu
tional amendment by furnishing any attempt t.
control the services of any person by fine not ex
ceeding $1,000, and imprisonment not exceeding
both, at the discretion of the court and it shall b.
no defense if such claim is sanctioned by any Stat
law--it annnuls State laws in conflict with it anC
reStricts jurisdiction in cases growing out of it Il
the United States courts. This was ordered to b.
printed.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill to give right of suf
fiage to persons of color, in the District of Colum
bia, which was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Sumner introduced resolutions proposing Il
amend the constitution as to make voters instead
of population the basis Of representation in Con
gress.
- Mr.. Sumner introduced n concurrent resolution
declACatory Of the adoption of the constitutional
amendment abolishing slavery.
= Mr.. Sumner introduced a series of resolutions de
claratory of the duty of Congress, especially il
respect to loyal citizens of the States lately in re
bcon.
! Mr.. Brown gave notice Of bill to authorize tn
construction of n hridpe tho Mississinni