The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-03-06

form the only remaining duty of my
Office in declaring, as now do, that the
House of Representatives of the Forty,
first Congress is adjourned sine die.
As the Speaker pronounced the last
words of his address and stepped down
from the dais to take his place Oh
the floor as a membersof the new Con-
gress, unanimous expressions Of ap.
proval and applause broke out in the
chamber and galleries, and the clap
ping of hands was general and long sus,
tanned.
Then, after a short pause, Mr.. Nc
Pherson, Clerk of the House, sum-
moned the new house to order, and pro-
ceeded to call the names OF members
by States. The States OF New Hamp
shire, Connecticut, Texas and California
were unrepresented, the elections in
those States not having yet been held.
In regard to North Carolina, the Clerk
stated that he had been requested by
Mr.. Rogers, member from the Fourth
district, not to call his name, and he
therefore did not do so. In regard to
Mississippi, the Clerk stated that
while the credentials were peculiar in
form, owing to the fact . that the
elections were held under the Military
and Reconstruction acts, it appeared to
him they met all the requirements of
the laws, an dhe therefore accepted them
all. In regard to Tennessee, the Clerk
stated that the credentials differed es-
sentally from those presented by mem
bers of the Forty-first Congress. They
were both vague and evasive, and the
changes made were 30 marked and
special as to create the belief that they
were made to produce uncertainty. He
had doubts as to his duty concern
ing them, but had finally concluded to
give them, this time, the benefit of the
doubt and accept them. The point
which had been urged, that the cleo
tions had not been held on the day fixed
by the laws of Tennessee, involved a
construction of the Constitution and
several laws of that State, and he had
concluded not to rule on it. As to the
Third Arkansas, district, the Clerk
stated that the certificate presented on
its face evidence that it had not been
issued within the time specified by law,
nor for two months thereafter The cir
cumstances were 80 suspicious that he
felt compelled to reject it. He had made
these explanations because he had
observed this like action on previous
occasions, and when unexplained it had
been misunderstood The roll having
been completed, the Clerk announced
that two hundred aud twenty-five mem
bers had answered to their names, the
full representation being two hundred
and forty-three.
Mr.. Blair, of Michigan, then moved
that the House proceed to the election
of Speaker. Agreed to.
Mr.. Blair then, on behalf of the Re-
publican members Of the House, nom-
mated Mr.. Blain for Speaker, and
Mr.. Wood, on behalf Of the Democratic
members, nominated General Morgan,
of Ohio.
The Clerk appointed as tellers Messrs.
Banks, Cook, Beck and Eldridge, and
proceeded to take the vote. The vote
having been completed, the result was
announced by Mr.. Banks, as follows:
Whole number of votes cast, 2l9 ne
cessrry to a choice, 10; Of which Mr.
Blaine received l26, and Mr.. Nor
gan, 90. The Clerk thereupon declared
that Mr. Blaine, having received ma
jority of the votes cast, was duly elect.
ed Speaker of the House of Represent
atives of the United States for the
Forty-second Congress.
Mr.. Blaine was conducted to the
Chair by Messrs. Pollard and Morgan
Calling the House to order, he said:
GENTLEMEN-The Speakership of the
American House of Representatives
has always been esteemed an enviable
honor. A reelection to the position
carries with it the peculiar gratifica-
ton that it implies approval Of past
official bearing. For this great mark
of your confidence, can but return to
you my sincerest devotion to the duties
which you call upon me to discharge |
Chosen by the party representing the
political majority in this House, the
Speaker owes faithful allegiance to the
principles and policy Of that party; but
he will fall far below honorable re-
quirements of his station if he fails to
give to the minority its fullest rights
under the rules which he is called upon
to administer. The successful work
ing oil our grand system Of government
depends in large measure on the Wig
ilance Of party organization, and the
most wholesome legislation which the
House produces and perfects is that
which results from opposing forces,
mutually eager and watchful, and well
nigh balanced in numbers The Forty
second Congress meets at a period OF
general content, happiness and pros,
perity throughout the land. Tn
der the wise administration Of
the National Government peace reigns
in all our borders, and the only misun
with any foreign govern
ment is, we may hope, at this moment
in process OF honorable, cordial and
lasting adjustment. We are fortunate
in meeting at such time, fortunate in
representing such constituencies, and for
tunate in legislating for such a country.
trust, gentlemen, that our official in
tercourse may be free from personal as
perity, believing that all our labors will
end eventually in public good; and invok-
ng the blessing Of Him without whose
aid and guidance we labor in vain, l
Inn now ready to proceed with further
Of the House. and as the
irst step thereto, l will myself take
he oath prescribed by the Constitution
md laws. General applausel.
Mr.. Dawes, senior member of the
House in continuous service, admins