Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-22
HOUSE OF REPKEsENrATIyEs,-

The House assembled at noon. The at
tendance of members was unusually large.
The galleries were crowded before eleven
O'Clock, many ladies being accommodated
in the gentlemen's gallery. Mr.. Stevens,
of Pennsylvania, was in his seat, apcar-
emily in as good physical condition as at
last session. aTa f..Fi 0s.. -.'l2
The proceedings were opened by prayer
by Chaplain BoynGon. - 80 .a.- - to-
Messrs. Woodward, of Pennsylvania, and
Carey, of Ohio, members elect, took the
oath prescribed by law.
The eight members elect from Tennessee,
having been called by the Speaker to take
Mr.. 3ELDRIGE objected to administer
ing the oath to Mr.. Stokes, and moved his
credentials be referred to the committee
on Credentials. .--.
Mr.. JAMES BROOKS. of New York, OBJ
jected to administering the oath to any of
the Tennessee delegates, on the ground:
First, that two, If not more, of them had
been guilty of treason to the Government,
and taken the oath of allegiance to the Con-
federate Government and jeff Davis; and,
second, there does not now exist in the
State of Tennessee Republican form of
government. Loud laughter on the Re-
publican side. s-. .' t-lg .9',.s 3 .Hs'i .sli
p Mr.. BROOKS argued that the electoral
law of Tennessee disfranchised a majority
of the white citizens. The whole State
was 100000, and yet 100000 voters had con-
trolled the election, $4,000 of whom were
negroes, controlling $4,000 white voters
who were not disfranchised. An oligarchy
now exists and reigus in Tennessee, and
franchise law there was disgrace to any
free form of government, dishonor to CIV
iliZation, and a reprobatiou to all torpls of
republican self government. r..-. . 70
Mr.. BROOKS then stated his special OBJ
fp fhaz mi in, Of p,,t ha--
cause as member of the Tennessee Leg
islature, before and during the rebellion, he
had introduced, supported and voted for
resolutions and measures proving his dis
loyalty to the United Stltes Government.
Among these were resolutions to reject
the confirmation of any man to Office who
indorsed the Helper Book, condemning the
appointment of Seward in Lincoln's Cabi-
net as an act of hostility to the South, and
for calling convention to take Tennessee
out Of the Union. Mr.. Brooks quoted the
precedent established by the Republican
side of the House last July in regard to
Kentucky members, and argued they were
now irrevocably bound by it.
Mr.. BROOKS then objected to swearing
in of Mullins on the ground that he had
given aid and comfort to rebels; had ml'e
speeches in favor of it; had lent his aid
and support to it; had attempted to raj e
troops for it. and made speeches in Bedford
county in '6l, in which he urged young
men to enlist in rebel com panies and defend
their homes and tiresides.
Mr.. BROOKS also objected to the swear
ing in of Mr.. Arnell, on the ground that he
had established in Lawrence county, Ten
nessee, a tannery which was devoted to
supplying shoes to rebel soldiers.
MIR. BROOKS also objected to the swear
ing in of Mr.. Trimble, saying his intorma-
ton was that if he voted at all on the ques-
ton of secession, he had voted tor taking
Tennessee out of the Union.
Mr.. TRIMBLE, in his seat, assured Mr..
Brooks he had not done so.
Mr.. BROOKS accepted the denial and
withdrew all special objection to swearing
in Mr.. Trimble.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE then stated to the House
the ground on which he objected to swear
ing in Mr.. Stokes. 1t was said that Mr..
Stokes had admitted in the House, on the
9th of July, 1866, having written letter
to John Duncan, on the 10th of May, 1861.
stating that he understood that some gross
Misrepresentation were going the rounds
| of his section, in reference to his position.
| which he (Stokes) wished to correct. That
| he had been jealous advocate of the Union
MP to the time Mr.. Lincoln had called for
| 75 600 troops, in violation of law. for the
suhiugation of the South; that he COM
mended Governor Harris, OF Tennessee.
|
and resisting Mr.. Lincoln at the point OF
the bayonet, and that he had enrolled his
| name as a volunteer to resist MIR. Lincoln's
| usurpations.
| MIR. LOGAN expressed qualification at
seeing the members on the Democratic
| side coming up to the mark. He was will
| ing to have the matter of Butler referred,
| but as to Stokes he thought if any man
could wipe out a wrong, that noble man
Stokes had wiped out the wrong of that
letter in fighting for the Union while some
gentlemen were publishing reasonable ar
| ticles.
| MIR. DAWES. of Massachusetts, moved.
| as a substitute for the pending motion, that
| the credentials of Butler be referred to the
committee on Elections, and pending the
discussion of the question he could not be
sworn in.
| He (Dawes) understood the gentleman
from New York TO make his motion in good
| faith, and he assumed that the gentleman
had made wonderful progress siLce last
session, when he put himself on the ground
that no charge of disloyalty. however fla
grant and palpable, was sufficient ground
for the exclusion of a member who held q
certificate of election. He congratulated
the country on this wonderful conversion
He trusted Brooks would continue the
tourney until he understood the law
more clearly even than the member:
ON the Republican side, what did constitute
LOYALTY and disloyalty. The gentlemen
had also taken ground to-day that it was
proper for the House to look into the Con
| SSt;tnt;op nj q State and decide whether i