The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-08
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.

|
MONDAY, Dec. 4.-Sendte. Senate met
and was called TO order promptly at IL o'clock....
| The new members were sworn in and the two from
Colorado drew Tor their respective terms Chaffee
secured the long term ending March 4, 1879, and
Teller the short term, ending in 1877. .Edmunds
submitted resolution instruciing the Committee
on Privileges and Elections, when appointed to
inquire whether in the recent election in South
Carolina, Louisiana and Florida, the right OF any
citizen TO vote has been denied or abridged and
also to the eligibility OF electors; which was
read and ordered printed, and to lie on the table,
49,. ingalls, submitted joint resolution recon-
mending that a convention be held at Columbus,
o., in May next, TO revise and amend the constitu
ton OF the United States Ordered printed, and 10
lie on the table.
House.-In the House of Representatives the
opening of the session witnessed by an inn
mense concourse of spectators. There very
few members absent. The Speakers chair was
draped IN mourning, in respect TO the memory of
the late Speaker Kerr. There being, therefore, no
presiding officer, the House was called to order at
noon by Clerk Adams, who thereupon called the
roll of the members. The call showed 249 members
present the whole number on the roll being 2SS. As
soon as the call was finished Holman rose to offera
resolution for the election Of Speaker, but Banks
interposed, question of superior privilege,
the right of the member-eect from Colorado to
have his name placed on the roll 40 that be might
participate in the election of Speaker, and sent up
the credentials of the member from Colorado.
discussion ensued on the question of precedence
Holman and other Democrats contending that the
organization of the House necessarily the first
business in order, while Banks and other Republic
cans contended that all the members had right to
participate in the election. Frye claimed the same
right for his colleague, elected in place of Blaine
Finally the Clerk decided that the resolu-
ton offered by Holman took precedence. From
that decision an appeal was taken by Banks, which
appeal Cox moved to lay on the table. Agreed to
yeas, l65; nays, "a. Holmans resolution then
came up for action, and il adopted without op-
position. 1t was as follows: The House being in
formed that since it's last ad iournment NJ. G. Kerr
who at the commencement of the present Congress
was elected Speaker of the House. has departed
this life, creating vacancy in the Office Of Speaker;
it is therefore ordered that the House do now
proceed TO the election of Speaker, viva voce.
Cox nominated 8. j. Randall as Speaker, and
McCrary, of Iowa, nominated James A. Garfield.
The former was elected: Randall had l6l votes;
Garfield, 80; Williams Of Wisconsin, G.. +. Hoar,
/; and Morrison, l. The Speaker was conducted
TO the chair by Messrs. Cox and McCrsry 500.
Objection was made to the swearing in of Buttz.
of South Carolina, and Bedford, of Colorado.
In relation to the latter, Springer offered reso-
luton instructng the Judiciary Committee to
inquire and report at as early day as possible
whether Colorado is State In the Union, and
directing, until such report is received. that no
person claiming TO be Representative from Colo
RADIO shall be sworn IN as member After
some discussion the resolution of Springer
was adopted. The House proceeded to the con-
sideration of the question Of admitting Buttz. of
South Carolina to his seat, the point against his
admission being that he has been counted In by the
Returning Board. Morrison presented memorial
and protest signed by the citizens of the district
against the admission of BUTTE, and moved the ref
erence of the question TO the Com
mittee on Elections. Morrison's motion
adopted, 142 TO 89.....A resolution
appointment Of three select committees, one of
fifteen members to proceed to Louisiana, one of
six members to proceed to Florida and one of nine
members to proceed to South Carolina to invest-
gate the action of the Returning Canvassing
Boards, as to the recent elections in those States
and report all facts essential TO an honest return OF
the votes OF electors for President and Vice Pres-
dent, and to fair understanding thereof by the
people, and whether the electoral votes of those
States should be counted.
TUESDAY, Dec. 5.-lSendte.-Nlorton sub
mitted joint resolution, proposing an amendment
to the constitution of the United States to provide
for the election of President and Vice President
by a direct vote of the people, which read and
laid on the table until the appointment of the COM
mittees, and will then be referred to the Committee
Privileges and Elections. In submitting the
resolution Morton said IL identical with the
proposition reported by the Committee Privileges
and Elections two years ago....A bill was intro
duced to establish the Territory of the Black Hills
$50. Edmunds moved to take up the resou-
ton submitted yesterday, ordering an in
quiry into the late election in various South
ern States. The motion, after a long debate,
agreed to by a strict party vote. .Mer-
rimon introduced bill TO alter the time for holding
elections for President and Vice President, and
counting the vote in the Electoral College, Ordered
Privileges and Elections when appointed. II pro-
vides that the Revised Statutes shall be amended
that the election for President and Vice President
shall be held in October, and the Electoral College
shall meet in the January following.
House.-The House proceedings were dull and
spiritess. resolution was adopted assigning
Saturday, Dec. 1G, for the presentation of suitable
resolutions on the death of the late Speaker Kerr.
$500 The Speaker then announced the Presidents
annual Message which was thereupon read by the
Clerk. On motion of Wood IN. ~, the Message
and accompanying documents
dered printed forthwith in pamphlet
form, and were referred to the Com
mttee of the Whole on the State of the Union .
The Speaker announced the following select COM
mittees: On Louisiana-Messrs Morrison, jerks,
Mcmahon, Lynde, Blackburn. Meade, House,
Phelps, New, Ross, Townsend pa. Danford. Hurl-
but Qli.) Grape and Joyce. On Florida--Messrs.
Thompson, DE Bolt walling, Hopkins, Garfield and
Dunnell. On the South Carolina committee the
name OF Cochrane was substituted for that of
Stenger, excused on account OF illness in his
family.