The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-05
f0RTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, December 4.
SENATE.

great as that in the House, though the
galleries were well filled before noon.
Many of the Democratic Senators were
in their seats before that body was called
to order, but the Republican Senators be-
ing IN caucus, did not occupy their seats
until lew minutes before twelve. A
change in the arran cement of the desks
10 accommodate the new Senators from
Colorado and to give the Senators who
occupied seats under the gallery more
desirable ones was made by placing
their desks upon the other side OF the
fourth or last p stform. The seats on the
Republican side were assigned to Mr..
Blaine aad Messrs. Chatfee und Teller,
the new Colorado Senators, and the ones
on the Democratic side 10 Mr.. Price, the
new Senator from West Virginia, Mr..
Jones OF Florida, and Mr.. Randolph OF
New Jersey.
When the Senate was called to order
the new members we're sworn in, and the
two from Colorado drew for their re-
spective terms. Mr. Chstfee secured the
long term, eRding March 4, 1879, and
Mr.. Teller the short term, ending in
1877.
Committees we're appointed to notify
the President and the House that the
Senate was ready for business, and le-
cess was taken till one O'clock.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted the following
resolution, which was read, ordered to be
printed and lie on the table:
WHEREAS, 1t is provided by the
q no
the amendments OF the Constitution OF
the United States that Representatives
shall be apportioned among the several
States according to their respect
i've population, counting the whole
number OF persons in each State excluding
the Indians, not taxed. But when the
right to vote at any election for the
choice of electors for President and Vice
President OF the United States, for Rep-
resentatives in Congress, the executive
and judicial officers of State, or mem
bers of the Legislature thereof, ID denied
to any of the male inhabitants OF such
State, beng twenty-One years of age and
citizens OF the United States, or in any
way abridged, except for participation IN
rebellion or other crime, the basis OF rep
resentation therein shall be adduced in
the proportion which the number OF such
male citizens shall bear to the whole
number of male citizens twenty-one
wears OF age in such State, and
WHEREAs, 1t Is alleged that in sew
| ersl States, and particularly in the States
of South Carolina, Georgia, FLORIDA,
Alabama, Louisians and Mississippi, the
right of the male inhabitants OF said
States (Republicansh being twenty-one
wears OF age and citizens Of the United
Ststes. TO vote at the late election OF
Electors for President and Vlce-Presl-
dent of the United States, and for Rep
resentstives in Congress, and for judicial
officers and for members OF the LeSlsIa-
ture thereof. has been denied and
abridged; therefore
RcsoLred, That the Committee on
Privileges and Election, when appointed,
be hereby instructed Is inquire and re-
port MS soon AS may be: lst. Whether IN
any OF the elections named IN SAID States
in the years 1875 or 1876, the right OF
anv portion OF sucn inhabitants and citl-
Zens 10 vote rs aforesaid has been IN any
wise denied or abridged. 2nd. 10 what
extent such denial or sbridgement has
been carried Sd. By what means such
,hridgement or denial has been accom-
plished. 4th. BY whom has such de-
nial orr sbridgement been elected.
| ) With what motive and for what pur-
poses such denial or abrIdgment has been
carried on. g. BY what authority, or
pretended authority, such denial or
abridgment has been exercised.
RssoLred irther, That the said Com
mittee has power to employ such number
of stenogrsphers rs shall be necessary,
and TO send for persons and papers, and
have leave to sit during the sessions OF
the Senate, and to appoint subcommittee
with full power TO make inquiries and re-
port the same to the Committee.
Rcsoired i,rthe,', That the said Com
mi,ter. IN order to secure more speedy
performances of its duties, have power TO
prCyide for the taking of stfi-
davits on the subjects aforesaid
before any officer authorized by
the Flaw of the United States to take
stfldayits and 10 receive and consider the
same.
Reso,ocd, That said committee he and
is hereby authorized to inquire INTO the
eligibility to office under the Constltu-
ton of any persons alleged to have been
ineligible on the 7th of November last as
electors of President or Nice-President
of the United States to whom certificates
of election have been or shall be Issued
by the executive authority Of any state
q. An elector. and whether the appoint
ment OF electors. or those claiming
to be such, in any of the states has
been made by force or other
means otherwise than in conformity with
the Constitution and laws OF the United
State. and the laws ot the respective
States, and whether any such appoint
meut of any such olectOr has been in any
wise unconslltu,jonslly or unlawtully il
tericrcl with, and TO inquire and report
whether Congress has any Constitutions
Al power. and If So tu what extent thereof
in respect 20 the appointment Of or action
! of electors of President anu Vice Presi-
| dent of the United States, or over the
returns or certificates of the votes .! such
electors, and that said committee have
power to send for persons and papers, to
employ stcnogrsphers and 10 have leave
to sit during the session Of the Senate.
Mr.. Ingalls, introduced the following
ioint resolution, which was ordered to be
printed sud to lie on the table:
\ Joint resolution recommending a
convention to revise and amend the
Constitution Of the United States.
WHEKEAS, Article Of the constitu-
ton empowers Congress to call a con-
venuon lor proposing amendments TO the
constitution, on application Of the Legis-
latures o.two-thirds Of the several S.stes,
and
WHEREAS, 1t appears that there are
/ important defects IN the sytem of the
| Federal Government which render the
I situation of the United States st this
time delicate and critical. calling for an
exertion OF the combined virtue and
wisdom of all the people; therefore be it
Rcsoired In the opinion OF Congress,
q convention Of delegat .s from the sew