Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-04-25
HOUSE.


 April 2l, 1868.
 The house opened with prayer by Beasley.
 Brashears, from select committee on the contested election case from the first district, submitted a majority re- port giving the seat to A. M. Johnson as against F. k. Poole, for the reasons that the latter is an United States com mission; and is not qualified elector, not being registered voter under the reconstruction acts, and having failed to take the oath prescribed by the new constitution and vote at the state polls at the late election.
 Catterson moved the consideration of the report be postponed until Fri day next. Upham moved as an amend ment, to receive and act upon the ma jority report at once. A long debate here followed, in which Catterson, Coolidge and Williams favored post ponement and Whitson, Butler, Pears, Beasley, Stansberry, Kyle, and Reed favored immediate action. The ques- tion arose, what constituted qualified elector. The speaker proceeded to give his views, when Butler suggested that he leave the chair and take the floor, which the speaker did, calling Kyle to the chair. The speaker then endeavored to show that Poole is a qualified elector although he has never voted.
 After some further debate the ayes and noes were called on Upham's s amendment, and it was adopted: ayes 1T, noes IL. The resolution as amend ed was adopted. Coolidge made the point of order that the resolution must lie over one day, The speaker sustain ed the point of order. Fenno moved to suspend the rules. Carried by the necessary two-thirds vote. The reso- lution giving the seat to Johnson was then put and passed; ayes 50, noes Il. Johnson was then sworn in.
 Catterson gave notice that he would file protest against the action of the house.
 Sims offered the following:
 WHEREAS, it is currently reported that several members of the house are occupying official positions under the United States government, or are not qualified electors; therefore
 BE IT RESOLVED, That the speaker of the house appoint special committee, whose duty it shall be to examine into the autecedents of the various mem- bers of the house and report whether any of them are holding offices or are not qualified electors, so as to disqual- ify them from seats in this body.
 Lies over one day.
 Coolidge gave notice that he would at some future time move q reconsid- eration of the vote adopting the reso- lution directing the clerk to supply members and officers with stamped en- velopes and stamped wrappers.
 Gibson gave notice that he would in- troduce bill tomorrow, prescribing the qualifications of persons to engage in certain pursuits or to follow certain vacations.
 Houghton's resolution, to forbid members absent on leave for any other cause than sickness, from drawing per diem, was, on motion of Wells, tabled.
 Britton's resolution, for the appoint ment of a special committee on regis tration, was adopted.
 Knight gave notice of bills, regula- ting exemptions and homesteads; and fixing rates of interest on money, com tracts, judgments, mortgages and other commercial papers.
 The following geommitteewas announ- ced to report upon the Blind Institute at Philadelphia Exon, Kyle, Harrison, Rawlings and Coolidge.
 Ten days leave of absence was gran ted Beldin on account of sickness.
 Adjourned until 10 o'clock to-mor- row morning.