The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-12-07
Congressional Proceedings.
WAsHINGToN. December 4,

| WASHINGTON, december 4.
The Senate met at noon. Mr.. Blaine,
of Maine, Messrs. Chaffee and Teller, the
Senators from Colorado, and Mr.. Price,
the new Senator from West Virginia, vice
Caperton, deceased, were sworn in. The
new Senators from Colorado drew for
their respective terms, when Mr.. Chaffee
secured the long term, ending March 4,
1879, aud Mr.. Teller the short term, end
ing March 4, 1877. Committees were
appointed to notify the President and
the House of Representatives that the
Senate was ready for business, and at
1920 recess for three-quartcrs of an
hour was taken.
The Republican caucus of the House
nominated Garfield fo, Speaker.
The caucus of the Senate discussed the
situation, but deferred action until the
electoral votes of South Carolina, Flori-
da and Louisiana were decided.
The House was called to order by
Chief Clerk Adams. A motion was
made to elect Speaker. Banks appeal.
ed from the decision of the Clerk that
the Speaker should be elected before the
new members were sworn in.
In the Senate, after the usual formali-
ties, Edmunds offered a resolution, which
was laid on the table and ordered printed,
setting forth that whereas the constitu-
tion provides for the method of electing
Representatives to Congress, and recites
who are entitled to vote for such Repre-
sentatives; and whereas, it is alleged
that in the States of South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi the rights OF many such persons
were denied and abridged during the late
election; therefore,
Resolved, That the Committee on Priv
ileges and Election be authorized to in
quire whether such rights were denied
and abridged, and if so to what extent,
and who have been affected by such de-
NAL and abridgement, and by what au-
thority such abridgement has been car
ried on; also, that said committee inquire
into the fact whether any Presidential
electors in the late election were disquali-
fed, and whether any of them have been
interfered with in their rights and quali-
fcations, and whether there is any con-
stitutional remedy therefor; that said
committee employ clerks and stenogra-
piers, and be empowered to take testi-
mony and administer oaths.
In the House, 24S members answered
to the roll. The election of Speaker pre-
ceded all other business. Randall ad-
dressed the House thanking the members
for the honor conferred and calling at
tention to the fact that he was elected to
the post on acct ant of the death OF
Speaker Kerr, to whom he paid q high
eulogy for the purity of his public and
more than he (Randall) did the great
honor of being called upon to preside
over the deliberations of the representa-
tives of the American people, and in the
discharge of his duties he should en-
deavor to be absolutely fair and impair
tial, and while upholding all the rules of
the House, he should protect each and
every member in his individual rights.
The House stands now in the presence of
events which in the last degree demand
the most careful consideration of every
officer of the government, and he e1-
pressed the hope that the representatives
of the people would act only with keen
sense of right, and SO as to carry out the
just expectation of the people and to en-
force the right.
The credentials OF G. w. Buttz, from
South Carolina, were presented. Mr..
Morrison objected. They were laid over.
The committees to 60 to South Caro-.
lima, Florida aud Louisiana were ordered
six to Florida, nine to South Carolina
and fifteen to Louisiana.
The credentials Of Buttz, from South
Carolina, were referred to the Committee
on Elections, under protest filed by
counsel for contestant.
The South Carolina committee consists
of Saylor, of Ohio; Abbott, of Massachu-
sets; Stenger, of Pennsylvania. Eden,
of Illinois; Jones, of Kentucky Phillips,
of Missouri; Banks. of Massachusetts,;
Lawrence, of Ohio Lapham, of New
York