The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-12-22
XLIvTH CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.

OF the PUBIC IN tne opening Fi"OeN-6
the senate was not so great as that In the
house, though the galleries were well h1ed
before noon When the senate was called to
order the new members were sworn In ana
the two from Colorado drew for their respec-
tive terms. Chaffe secured the long term,
ending March 4. 1879, and Teller the short
erm, ending 1877. Committees were APP
pointed to notify the president and house
that the senate was ready for business, and
recess taken till one o'clock. Upon reassem-
bling Mr. Edmunds submitted the following
resolution, which was read and ord ered 10
be printed and lie on the table: whereas
1t is provided by section of article NV OF
the amendments of the constitution oil the
United States that the representatives shaIl
be apportioned among the several states ae-
cording to their respective numbers, count
ing the whole number of persons in each
state, excluding Indians not taxed, but when
the right TO vote at any election Tor choice
of electors for president and vice president
of the United States, representatives IN con-
gress, the executive or judicial officers of
state, or members of the legislature thereof,
is denied to any of the male inhabitants OF
such state, being twenty-one years of age
and citizens of the United States, or in any
way abridged except for participation in re-
oellion or other crime, the basis of represen-
tation shall be reduced in proportion to
which number OF such male citizens shall
bear TO the whole number of male citizens
twenty.one years of age in such statej and
whereas, it is alleged that in several of the
states, and particularly in the states of South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisi
ana and Mississippi, the right of male inhab-
itants in said states respectively, being TWEEN
ty-one years of age, and being citizens of the
United States, to vote at the late election
for electors for president and vice president
of the United States, and for representatives
in congress, and for executive and judicial
officers of such state, and for members of
legislature thereof, has been denied
or great abridged, therefore, Resolved,
That the committee on privileges and cleo
tions, when appointed, be, and II is hereby
instructed 10 inquire and report, as soon as
may be: 1. Whether in the elections in
said states in the years 1875 or 1876 the right
of any portion of such inhabitants and citI-
zens to vote aforesaid has been in any
wise denied or abridged. .. To what extent
VI dDIluEluNitt has pGcH tdfEltu
3. BY what means such denial or abridg-
ment has been accomplished 4. BY whom
has such denial or abridgmunt been affected.
8. With what motives and for what purpose
has such denial or abridgment been carried
on. 5. Bv what authority or pretended au-
thOrity, has such denial or abridgment been
exercised. Resolved further, That said COM
mittee has power to employ such number of
stenographers as shall be needful, and to
send for persons and papers, and to have
leave 10 sit during the sessions of the senate,
and TO appoint subcommittee with power
TO make The inquiries aforesaid and TO report
the same to the committee. Resolved fur
Their, That said committee, in order to more
speedily perform Its duties, have power to
provide for the taking of affidavits on the
subjects aforesaid, before any officer author
lied by laws of the United States to take at
hdavits and to receive and consider the
same. Resolved further, That said commit
tee be and is hereby instructed to inquire
into the eligibility to office, under the con-
stitution of the United States, of any persons
alleged to have been ineligible, on the 9TH
OF November lasI,a electors of president and
vice president of the United States, to whom
certificates of election have been, or shall
be issued by the executive authority of any
state as electors, and whether the appoint
Hlent of electors, or those claiming to be
such, in any of the states, have been made
either by force or other means otherwise
t0Sn III conformity Win The constitution OIL
the United States, and the laws of the re-
spective states; and whether any such APP
polntment of any such elector has been in
anywise unconstitutionally or unlawfully in
terfered with, and to inquire and report
whether congress has any constitutional
power, and, If so, on what extent thereof in
respect to the appointment of, or action of
the electors of president and vice president
of the United States, or over the returns or
certificates of votes of such electors; and
that said committee have power to send for
persons and papers, and to employ a steno-
grapher, and have leave to sit during the
session Of the senate. Mr.. Ingalls, introduced
the following Joint resolution, which was or
dered printed and laid the table: A
Joint resolution recommending a convention
10 revise and amend the constitution of the
United States. Whereas, Article V OF the
constitution empowers congress to call a
convention for proposing amendments to the
constitution, on application of the legisla-
lures of twO-thirds of the several states; and
Whereas, 1t appears there are important
defects of the system of the federal govern
ment which render the situation of the
United States at this time delicate and crit
ical, calling for an exertion of continued
virtue and wisdom of all people; therefore,
be 1t Resolved, l. In the opinion OF con-
gress, a convention of delegates from the
several states should be held for sole and ex-
press purpose of revising the constitution of
tuc HlNcu totdAtss anu reporting Suen dlTer-
atoms and amendments in the nature of the
entire instrument, as shall, when ratified as
provided In article V. render the federal
constitution adequate for the preservation
and support of the union. =. That IN the
opinion of congress, each state should be
represented in such convention by as many
delegates as il Is entitled 10 senators and
representatives IN congress-; two of said
delegates from each state to be chosen by
the legislature thereof, and one to he
elected from each congressional district
by the qualified voters thereof at such time
and place as the legislature NAV
prescribe; and that no person hold
ing an office of honor, trust or profit I'M
der any state under the United States
should be eligible as delegate to said con-
vention. 3. That, in the opinion of congress
said convention should be held at Columbus
In the state OF Ohio, on the second Monday
in May, 1877 and without unnecessary inter
ruption, till its elaboration are concluded. 4.
That IN the opinion of congress- the chief
justice OF the supreme court should be the
presiding officer of said convention. and
that each delegate should receive compensa-
uon at the rate of $50 per day and mileage
at the rate OF twenty cents a mile necessa-
rlIV travelled going to and from the place of
meeting, and that all expenses of said con-
ventlon TO be betrayed by the treasurer of
the United States 8. That in the opinion
OF congress the revised and amended consti-
tuition should be reported to the president OF
Inc United States on adjournment of said
convention, and that il should thereupon
immediately be submitted by the president
TO a convention OF delegates chosen in each
state by tbs people thereof under recon-
of its Legislature for its assent
aud ratification. 8. That it is recommended
70 the legislatures of the several states of
the union to apply to congress without de-
lay 70 call the convention as aforesaid. as
provided in article V IN the constitution.
Adjourned.
WAsH1NGroE, December 4.-The OPEN
ing OF the session of the house was witnessed
by an immense concourse of spectators. There
were very few members absent. The sneak
ers chair was draped in mourning in re-
'pect to the late speaker Kerr There being.
therefore, no presiding officer the house was
allied to order at noon by clerk Adams
who thereupOn called the roll of members.
II e call showed two hundred and FORTY
line members present, the whole number on |
roll being two hundred and Lightweight. |
motion the house proceeded to the cleo |
1 n OF spes ker. Samuel J. Randall was |
nominated by Mr.. Cox, and james A. Gar
leid by Mr.. McCrary. Messrs. Clymer Ran
ing, Banks Mass. and Wilson Qowa) were
ppointed tellers. The vote re suited as TO
ows: Whole number of votes cast. two hun
Ireo and fortg-sIx: necessary to choice
ne hundred and twenty-four; Samuel !
randall received one hundred and sixtv-one.
ames A. Garfield, eighty-tvo; Chas. q