Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-07
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

"Gentlemen of the House of Representa- |
| tives, our labor is at an end, but delay the |
final adjournment long enough to return my |
most profound and respectful thanks for the |
| commentator which you have been pleased
to bestow upon my official course and con- |
duct. In deliberative body Of this charac-
ter the presiding officer is fortunate If he re-
tains the confidence and steady support of
his political advocates. Beyond that you
give me the assurance that have earned the |
respect and good will of those from whom l
am separated by party lines. Your express
sions are most grateful to me and are most |
gratefully acknowledged The Congress |
whose existence closes with the present hour |
enjoys memorable distinction. 1t is the |
first in which all the States have been repre- |
scented on this floor since the baleful winter |
that preceded our late bloody war. Ten |
years have passed since then-years of trials |
and triumphs, years of wild destruction and |
years of careful rebuilding, and after all and |
as result of all, the national government is |
here to to-day, united, strong, proud, defiant |
and just, with territorial area vastly expand |
ed and with three additional States represent
ed on the folds of its flag. For these pros
porous fruits of our great struggle let rs
humbly give thanks to the God of battles and
the Prince of peace. And now gentlemen,
with one more expression of the obligation l
feel for the considerable kindness with which
you have always sustained me, perform the
only remaining duty of my office in declaring
as now do that the House of Representatives
of the 4lst Congress is adjourned sine die"
| As the Speaker pronounced the last word
OF his address and stepped down from the chair
to lake his place on the floor as member of
the new Congress a unanimous expression Of
approval and applause broke in the Chamber
and galleries and the clapping of hands was
general and long sustained.
After short pause Mr.. Mcpherson, the
Clerk of the House, summoned the new
House TO order, and proceeded to call the
names of members by States The roll hay
ing been called, 222 members answered to
their names, full House consisting of 2i3.
New Hampshire, Connecticut, Texas and
California are unrepresented, the elections in
those States not having been held. The name
of Mr.. Rogers of North Caroliua was omitted
at his own request, and that of Mr.. Bolles of
Arkansas was not called in consequence of
irregularities in his certificate of election.
: Full delegations from Mississippi and Ten
nessee were admitted. though there is some
informally in their credentials
James G. Blaine was then reelected Speak
er with the usual formalities, receiving l26
of 2l9 votes cast, George w. Morgan of Ohio
receiving 90.
Dir. Blaine was conducted to the chair by
Ohio. Calling the House to order he said:
"Gentlemen, the Speakership Of the Amer
lean House OF Representatives has always
been considered an enyiabe honor. a re-
election to the position causes Il peculiar
qualification, in that it implies approval of
past official bearing. For this great mark OF
your confidence / can but return to you my
sincerest thanks, coupled with the assurance
of my utmost devotion to the duties which
/ fsas 6 n m In phar Iv-
a party representing the political majority Of
this House. the Speaker owes faithful allie
glance to the principle and policy of that
party, but he will fall far below the honorable
requirements of his station if he fails to give
to the minority its fullest rights under the rule
which he is called upon to administer. The
successful working of our grand system of
government depends in a large measure on
the vigilance OF party organization, and the
most wholesome legislation which the
House produces and perfects is that which
results from opposing forces Mutually Gag
er and watchful, and well nigh balanced in
numbers, the 42d Congress meets at period
of general content, happiness and prosperity
throughout the land. Under wise admin
istration and national government peace
reigns in all our borders, and the only mis-
understanding with any foreign government,
we may hope at this moment is in process of
IL.
| We are fortunate at meeting at such time
fortunate in representing such constituencies
fortunate In legislating for such a country.
trust, gentlemen, our official intercourse NAV
be free from personal asperity.
Believing that all our labors will eventuate
in the public good and invoking the blessing
of Him without whose aid and guidance we
labor in vain, am now ready to proceed with
the further organization of the House, and as
Rret or II l. II
oath prescribed by the constitution and laws
Mr.. Dawes of Mass, the senior member of
the House in continuous service, administer
ed the oath to the Speaker.
The Speaker then proceeded to administer
the oaths to members, beginning with those
from the New England States. The members
from other States were then sworn in order,
two members from Southern States taking the |
modified OATH
Mr.. Maynard of Tennessee, objected to |
swearing in Alfred NJ. Waddell of North Car
DINA, being disqualified from holding office. |
Mr.. Kerr of Indiana, objected to swearing |
in the members from Tenn. on the ground |
that the election in Tennessee had been re- |
pealed and they were elected without the !
sanction of the laws. He presented protest |
from citizens of Tennessee, and explained |
them. The Tennessee Legislature had by
sweeping measure repealed all acts of the pre- |
vious Legislature, including the election law |
Mr.. Bingham of Ohio, moved that the
Tennessee members be sworn, and their Gre |
dentials referred to the committee on elec- |
tons, which was agreed to, and they were
sworn in, three of them taking the test oath
of 1862, and five the modified oaths of 1865
Mr.. Kerr stated that the grounds of OBJ |
lection TO the swearing of the Mississippi
members was that their credentials presented
no prima facie evidence of their right to
| seat
After long arguments against the admission
of the Mississippi members, by Messrs. Kerr
and Eldridge, Mr.. Bingham's motion that they
be sworn in and their credentials be referred
to the committee on credentials, was agreed
| to-ll9 to 10.
This completed the organization of the
MINISTER W1SIfB URNE
The American Minister to France, Hon. L.
B. Washburne, has written letter to Secre-