Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-05

arrival of noon the House galleries were dcnSely
crowded with ladies and gentlemen and the Hobbies
also were overlooking. All interest appeared to
center upon the House. account of the organiza-
ton there to take place. and the question concerning
the admission of Southern members. The Senate
galleries also well filed but 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.
SFNATE-The Senate was called to order at twelve
o'clock by Mr.. Foster the Presidentpr6 tenn. Prayer
was offered by the Chaplain Rev. Mr.. Gray, who go-
ried God that the Republic still lives and that the
country is safe-that our heroic efforts had been
crowned by victory, and that the deSolalons OF war
have ceased He recognized Godin the dispensations
of his Providence and his grace IN dealing with us,
and that we were now an entire nation OF ircemen-
that liberty had been given to the captYes and the
prisons opened to those that were bound. He asked
that all the deliberations OF Congress might be such
NOUS acquieSeencc of the peopIe and PRAYED bless
ing upon the President of the United States and the
ministers associates with him, and that the principles
of our free aud glorious government may be estab-
Iished upon an everlasting basis.
SENATOR'S PRESENT.
Messrs. Anthony. Brown Buckalew, Chandler.
Clark. CONFESS, Cowan, Cragin. Cresswell Dixon,
Harris Henderson, Howard, Howe, johnson, Lane of
ind, McDougall, Morgan, Morrill,, Nesmith, Nye,
Pollard. Pomcroy, Ramsey Riddle, salisbury, Sher
man, Sprague Stewart Sumner, Trumbull. Van
Wrinkle Wade Wiley, Williams, Wilson and Wright.
Mr.. Foote presented the credentials of Luke Q;
of Mr. CoIlamer. The cred entails were read and MIR.
Pollard took the prescribed oath of office.
Mr.. Wright presented the credenslals Of Mr. john
p. Stockton as Senator elect from New 5ersey.
THE CASE OF SENATOR STOCKTON.
Mr.. Cowan presented protest against the recep-
ton of Mr.. Stockton signed by members Of the New
ceve constitutional majority Of the votes cast
Protest was ordered to lie upon the table for the
present and Mr.. s. was duly sworn into Office.
THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE IN WASHINGTON.
Mr.. Wade presented bill to regulate the elective
franchise in the District of Columbia. 1t provides
that from and after its passage. every male person
twenty-one years of age, a citizen of the United
States and resided in the District of Columbia six
months. and has never been convicted of infamous
crime, shall be entitled to the right of suffrage in the
District. ANY person who shall disturb or Interfere
upon conviction suffer the penalty OF Tue not ex-
ceeding $l,UO0, or Imprisonment IN the dungeon OF
the city jail and fed on bread and water Tor period
not exceeding thirty days, or both It imposes the
duty upon the Criminal Courts of the District to give
this act in special charge to the grand jury ut the
commencement Of each term. Ordered to be printed.
ANOTHER BILL 6E THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.
Mr.. Sumner introduced various bills as follows,
which were severally ordered to be printed:
"A bill to carry out the principles of republican
form of government in the District OF Columbia. 1t
provides that person in other respects qualified to
vote shall be excluded from that right by reason of
his color. Any whose duty il is to receive
votes who shall refuse the vote OF such person is o to
or Imprisonment not exceeding year or both, and
where the rejected party is of African descent the
Jury to try the case shall be composed one half of
col0rcd men. Any person molestiag party entitled
TO vote is to be fined on conviction, sum not exceed
ing 5000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months
both, the jury to be composed above, where the
party is of African descent.
TRIAL BY JURY IN UNITED STATES COURTS.
"A bill to preserve the right of trial by jury by Sc
securing impartial jurors In the courts of the United
1t provides that where according to the census of
1860 one-sixth Of the population was of Afri
-1aall -lnlf
OF persons of African descent and petit juries in the
proportions where the matter tried relates to
anon person not of such descent or rec rerse and
prejudice against such race is made ground OF chal-
lenge and exclusion.
OATH TO MAINTAIN REPUBLICAN, FORM OF GOVERN
MENT.
n "A bill prescribing an oath to maintain a ReEubli
can form of Government follows | do hereby
swear that will at all times hereafter my Est
endeayorS to maintain Republican form Of Govern,
in the Union of the United States that will at all
times recognise the indisSoluble unity of the Repub
any endeavor to break away from or secede from
the Union; that L will give my influence and
vote at all TINES to strengthen and sustain
tenance and resist any attempt, directly or indi-
recty, to repudae postpone either in any part
in any way, the debt which was contracted by the
United States in subdung the rebellion or the obi
cations assumed to the Mon soldiers; that will al
ways discounteuance and resist any laws making any
distinction of color and that In all ways
will strive to maintai State government complete.
ly loyal to the Union where all men shall enjoy equal
protection and equal rights Such oath shall be
preserved and if falsely taken such person shall be
guilty of perjury, and in addition to the present
penalty for perjury shall forfeit his right to hold of
fee. Ordered to be printed.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
The bill to enforce the Constitutional Amendment
by Furnishing any attempt to control the services OF
any person contrary to this provision by fine not
exceeding 900, or Imprisonment not exceeding ten
years both. at the discretion Of the court and it
shall be no defense that such claim is sanctioned by
any State law. 1t annulS State laws in conflict with
it. and restricts jurisdiction in growing out OF II
to the United States Courts. Ordered to be printed
JOINT RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Sumner also introduced joint resolution pro-
posing to amend the Constitution, to make vo-
ers instead of population. the basis of representa-
ton in Congress- also, concurrent resolution, de.
in Of G aPaR 3 seres
resolutions decaratoy of the duty of Congress, espe
cially in respect to the loyal citizens of the States
Mr.. Brown gave notice of bill to construct q
bridge across the Mississippi at ST. Louis also. bill
to reimburse the State of MISSOURI for expenses OF
her militia in SURPRISING rebellion.
Mr.. Harris introduced bill to regulate the judi
ciary system of the United States.
On motion of Mr.. Foot it was ordered that the
Senate meet at y O'Clock. noon, till otherwise pro-
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to maintain the free
dom Of the inhabitants of States declared to be ir
Instruction, under the Presidents proclamation o.
July, 1867 Ordered to be printed
Ihe senate, AT nail past IL, look q recess 1lll
o'clock and oil reassembling ordered the Secretary
to inform the House of its being ready for business
and then adjourned.
House OF REPRESENT ATIvEs.-The hour of noon
having arrived, the Clerk Of the last House, Mr.
Mcpherson. called the House to order and proceeded
to call the roll of members, emitting the names o.
representatives from the States lately in rebellion
including the Tennessee delegation. One hundred
and seventy-fve members responded to their names
THE ELECTION OF SPEAKER.
Mr.. Morrill,, OF Vermont, moved that the House
DrOcppl N election of SnPa<pr
Mr.. Brooks of New York, hoped the motion would
not prevail and inquired by what right this Con
tyes of Tennessee and other States and the reason
oi the arbitrary rule adopted by the Clerk.
SIR. Washbune, of Illinois, called the gentleman
to order
Mr. Brooks responded by saying that the gentle
man from Illinois had known him long enough t.
know that he always proceeded in order applause.
The point of order not being sustained, MI Brooks
continued commenting upon the energy and yea
displayed by Mr.. Maynard, of Tennessee during thu
darkest days of the rebellion, in sustaining the actor
of the government and would inquire of the Clerl
his reasons for the exclusion OF Ar. Maynard and hi
colleagues from Tennessee.
The Clerk said he would give his reasans il no OBJ.
lection was made
Mr.. Brooks continued, remarliing the inconsistency
on the part of the Republican majority and tn,
Clerk, as evidenced by allowing claimants of seat
from Louisiana to participate in the organization
of the last House. He characterized the action o
the Clerk as despotlsm.
Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylvania. called the gentleman
to order and moved that the House proceed to thu
consideration of the motion introduced by Mr.. Nor
rill.
Mr. Brooks said he would yield the floor if the gen
tleman from Pennsylvania would inform him whel
he intended to introduce the resolution OF which n
is the organ.
Mr.. stevens. 1T have rae objection to answer tn
gentleman; ! will introduce the resolution at tn
proper time" Laughter. u
Mr.. Brooks then moved that Mr.. Maynard, OF len
nessee be allowed to present the credentials OF IN
delegation from that State.
MIR. Stevens called the previous question.
Mr.. Maynard asked Mr.. Stevens to yield the floor
MIR. Stevens declined yielding the floor to any gen
Mr. Brooks giving way, Mr.. Morrill, then nomina
ted .or Speaker of the House of Representatives O
the SSth Congress the Hon. Schuyler Colfax of In
diana, Whlch announcement was received with ap
plause.
Mr.. Warfeld of New York, nominated the Hon
james Brooks. of New York.
- Inc House then proceeded to the election o
Speaker the clerk appointed telers Messrs Finch
of Ohio Dawson, of Pa, Morrill, of Vermont. an,
Green Clay Smith, of KY. The roll was then called
and III members voted. Mr.. Colfax receiving III
votes and Mr.. Brooks 35; IS votes being necessary
n choice.
Mr. Colfax having received majority of all til
votes east, the clerk declared him duly electe
Speaker of the House, and appointed Mr. Stevens, {
Pc, and Mr.. Brooks, of New York, to conduct hil
to the chair.
Ofthe Maryland Delegation. Messrs Phelps an
]. L. Thomas voted for Mr.. Colfax, and Mr.. McCu
lough for Mr. Brooks. Not voting or absent Messr
Harris and Francis Thomas.
Mr.. Washburne of Illinois, being the oldest men
her of the House, appointed to administer th
oath of office to the Speaker;
Mr. Colfax on taking the chair addressed the Hous
as follows: