The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-11-22
HOUSE

The House assembled at noon. The
attendance of members was unusually
large. The galleries were crowed be-
fore eleven o'clock. Many ladies were
accommodated in the geatlemen's gal
lery.
Mr.. Stevens was in his seat, appa-
,yently in as good physical condition as
at last session.
The proceedings were opened with
prayer by Chaplain Boynton.
Messrs. Woodward, OF Pennsylvania,
and Cary, Of Ohio, members elect, took
the oath prescribed by law.
The eight members elect from Ten
nessee, having been called by the
Speaker TO take the oath, Mr.. Eldridge
objected TO administering the oath to
Mr.. Stokes, aud moved that his creden-
tials be referred to the committee on
Credentials.
James Brooks, of New York, objected
to administering the oath to any of the
Tennessee delegates, on the ground,
First, that two if not more of them
have been guilty OF treason to the Gov
eminent and taken an oath ofallegiance
to the Confederate Government and
JEFF. Davis, and, second, there does not
now exist in the State of Tennessee, a
Republican form of government. cloud
laughter on the Republican side. Mr..
Brooks argued that the electoral law of
Tennessee DISTINGUISHED a maiorityof the
white citizens. The whole vote of the
State was li0,0 900, and yet l00, 900 voters
a had controlled the election, $4,000 OF
whom were negroes, controlling the 45,
900 white voters who were not disfran-
ehised. An oligarehy now exists and
reigns in Tennessee, and the franchise
law there was disgrace TO any free
form of Government, dishonOr to civ
ilization, and Reproduction to all forms
of republican selfgovernment.
Mr. Brooks then stated that his special
objections to tie swearing in CT Bntler
was because, rs a member OF the Ten
nessee Legislature, before and during
she rebellion, he had introduced sup
porters and voted fer the resolutions
and measures, proving mis- disloyalty to
the United States Government. Among
these were resolutions to reject tho con-
firnation Of any man to office who IN
dorsed the Helper Book, condeEnlng
the appointment of Seward in Lincoln's
Cabinet as an act of hostility to the
South, and for calling a ,COnyention to
take Tennessee ont Of the Union. Mr..
Brooks quoted the precedent establish
ed by the Republican side of the House
in last July in regard to the Kentucky
members, and argued that they were
now irrcvocably boundAy it.
Mr.. Brooks then objected to the
swearing in of Mullins on background
that he bad given aid and comfort to the
rebels; had made speeches in behalf of
it; had lent his aid and support to it:
had attempted TO raise troops for it and
made O speech in Bedford county in 81,
in which he urged young elen to enlist
In q rebel company aud defend their
homes and firesides.
Mr.. Brooks also objected tost he swear
ing in of Arnell on tEcgrousd that he
had established in LawRenue county,
Tennessee, tannery which was devot-
ed to supplying shoes to Rebel. soldiers.
ar. Brooks also objected to the swear
ing in of Mr.. Trinble, sayingfthat his
information was that if he voted at all
ton the question of secession she. bad
voted for taking Tennessee out9fethe
Union.
Mr.. Trimble, in his seat, assured Nh.
Brooks that he had not done so. -
Mr.. Brooks accepted his denial q I
withdrew all special objections to the
swearing in of Mr.. Trimble. ss.
Mr.. Eldridge then stated to the House
the ground on which he objected to the
swearing in of Mr.. Stokes. 1t was that
Mr.. Stokes had admitted in the Honse
on the 9th of July, 1866, having writ
ten letter to John Duncan on the 10th
of May, 1861, stating thathe understood
some gross Misrepresentation were,
5 going the rounds of his section in refer
encesto his position, which ne (Stokes)
wished to correct; that he bad been
Jealous advocate of the Union up to
the time Lincoln had called for 75 900
troops in violation of law for tin sub
Iugation of the South; that he CON-
mended Governor Harris, of Tennessee,
for his course, and for arming the State
and resisting Lincoln a. the point of
the bayonet, and that he had enrolled
his name as O volunteer to resist Lin
coln's'usnrpations.
Mr.. Logan expressed his Qualification
at seeipg the members on the Demo-