The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-12-05

SENATE

izing an Inquiry into the recent elections in the
three contested states; aud also as to the eigi-
blity of electors from those states.
Mr.. ingalls, introduced a joint resolution
(Which was ordered to be printed and lie on
the table) recommending a convention to re.
wise and amend the constitution of the
United States. 1t recommends that the
convention be held on the second Mon
day in May, 1877, at Columbus O., that
the Chief Justice of the Upted States preside,
and that each state be entitled to send as many
delegates as it is entitled to Presidential elect
ors. 1t AYERS thai in the opinion of Congress
the revised ard amended constitution should be
reported to the President of the United States
upon the adjournment of said convention, aud
and that 1t should thereupon Immediately
be submitted by the President Ito a con-
yention of delegates chosen in zach state BY
the people thereof, under the recommendation
of its legislature for its assent and ratification;
that it is recommended TO the legislatures of
the several states of the Union to apply to Con-
gress without delay TO call convention as
aforesaid as provided in Article of the Con-
stitution.
Both were ordered to lie on the table, At12
o'clock the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
In the Hall of Representatives the House
was called to order at noon by Adams, the
Clerk.
After an attempt on the part of several Re-
publicaEs to have member from Colorado and
one from Maine in place of Blaine, admitted
before the election of Speaker, resolution of
M Holman, Democrat. was adopted by vote
of 1872 TO "a, that the House proceeded to bal
lot for Speaker yird yoce.
Samuel j. Randall of Pennsylvania, was
elected Speaker of the House by a vote of 151.
Mr.. Garfield received SO votes.
Speaker Randall on assuming the gavel made
brief speech. He urged that the country
must be maintained at all hazards, and that all
attempts to use troops for unconstitutional pur
poses must be frowned down. He touchipgIy
referred to Mr. Kerrs DEATH and eulogzed his
character He said that the country was to be
subjected to the severest strain iu our history,
and that at all hazards the country must be
preserved While doing justice to the rights of
every member, he should uphold the constitu-
tional rights of the House The people, he
said, looked confidently to the moderation aud
fair judgment of the House to avert impending
dangers.
The oath Of Office was then administered to
the Speaker by Mr. Holman of Indiana the
oldest member present in consecutive service
The oatn of office was administered by the
Speaker to Mr.. Stevens of Georgia, (Who had
not presented himself last SESSION. and the fol-
lowing new members elected to fill vacancies:
Mr.. Warner of Connecticut, Messrs. Flye of
Maine Humphrey and Carr of Indiana and
Stanton of Pennsylvania.
Objection was made to the sp ealiug in of
Mr.. Butiz of South Carolina, and Mr.. Bedford
of Colorado. In relation to the latter Mr.
structing the Judiciary Committee to inquire
and report at as early day as possible wDeth
er Colorado is a state in the Union, and direct
ing until such report is received that no person
claiming to be representative from Colorado
shall be sworn as member.
Mr.. Banks of Massachusetts,, argued in favor
OF the immediate swearing of the member from
Colorado, and sent to the Clerks desk and had
read the proclamation of the President in com
pliance with the law declaring Colorado a state
in the U MON.
Debate ensued, in which Messls. Hoar of
Massachusetts, Hurlburt of Illinois, Wood of
New York, jerks Ct Pennsylvania, and Spring
er Illinois, took part.
After some preliminary votes Mr.. SDriuger'S
resolution referring the credentials of the Col
orado member to the Judiciary Committee was
adopted, yeas 142, nays SO.
The Republicans voted soidly against it as
did the following named Democrats Messrs,
Blouut, Cox, Durham, Hartwel, Holman,
Kebr, Lemoyne, Morgan. Neal, O'Brien, Rae,
Savage, Stevenson, Watterson and Wells OF
Missouri.
Mr.. McCIeary of Iowa, presented the creden
tials of Mr.. Butte of South Carolina. Re-
marking that the decision of the question Top
position being made) would consume the time,
be offered to yield the floor for motion to ad-
journ.
Mr.. Holman of Indiana, was about to make
motion to adjourn, but at the request of Mr..
Hewitt of New York, he withheld the motion
to allow resolution which that gentleman de-
sired to be offered for the Information of the
House
Mr.. Conger of Michigan objected to the read
ing, but as the Speaker ruled that a single OBJ
lection would prevent the resolution being con-
sIdered at this slime (peudpg McCrearys ques-
ton OF priVilege) the resolution was read, 1t
provides for the appointment of three select
ommittees, one OF fifteen members, to proceed
to FLORIDA, and one OF nine members, to pre-
coed TO South Carolina, to investigate the action
OF the returning or canvasSng be. rds as to the
recent elections in those states, and to report
all facts essential to an honest return of votes
OF electors for President ana Vice President,
and fair understanding thereof by the people,
whether the electoral votes of those STATES
should be counted. The committees are to
have power to send for persons and papers, to
take testimony aud to appoint subcommittee
WITH Ike power, and to employ stenographers,
clerks and messengers
The Speaker asked McCreary whe Their be
would yield to have the resolution offered
Mr.. McCreary said he would not
Mr. Hewitt of New York, asked whether he
could not move to suspend the rules and adopt
the resolution.
The Speaker replied that he could not, az the
gentlemen from Iowa had the floor ON a ques-
ton of privilege.
Mr.. Hamilton of Ind, asked Mr. McCreary
to yield for resolution appointing Saturday
next for euogies on the late Speaker Kerr, ex-
pressiVe OF his emlne nj services and his Impair
TALLY as presiding officer.
McCreary declined TO yield unless the usual
phase was added TO the resolution that as a
further mark Of esteem the house do now adj
journ.
Mr.. Hamilton declined to make that mod
fcatiop.
Thereupon the House proceeded 10 the con-
sideration of the question of admitting Buttz
of South Carolina to his seat, thejpoint against
him being that he has been counted in by the
returning board.
Mr.. Morrison of ILL.,, presented a memorial
and protest signed by citizens of the district
against the admission Of Buttz, and moved
reference of the question to the Committee on
Elections Adopted-142 to 80.
Mr.. Hewitt of New York, then asked unani-
nous consent to offer his resolution for the ap-
pointment OF three select committees Obiec- !
ton was promptly made on the Republica n /
side of the House.
Mr.. Hewitt then moved to suspend the rules |
and adopt the resolution. Further objection
was made, and points of order made
Finally dewitt's motion was adopted-yeas |
156, nays rs, the necessary twc-lhirds in the |
affirmative The announcement was hailed bv |
the Democratic side of the House with LOUD |
demonstrations of applause, 1t was a party |
vote except that of Geo. A. Ragley OF New |
Yor6, and Messrs. Pierce and Seelye of Mass |
achnsettS who voted with the Democrats in |
favor of the motion.
committee, to join like committee on the /
part OF the Senate 10 wait upon the President |
of the United States and inform him that |
Congress was ready to receive any comnun-
ton he desired to make was ordered and
Messrs. Wood, Clymer and Hoar were appoint
ed.
The Speaker announced the appointment o
the South Carolina COMMITTEES as follows:
MessrS. Saylor OF Ohio, Abbott of Massachu-
sets, Stenger of Pennsylvania, Eaton of Hi
nois, Jones of Kentucky, Phillips of Missouri,
Banks of Massachusetts, Hale of Maine, and |
Lawrence of Ohio.
Mr.. Hoar stated that Mr.. Hale was not in
the city, aud therefore to put him on the COM l
mittee was to deprive the Republicans of one
member.
The Speaker said that such was not his wish
and he wonld therefore appoint in the place of |
Hale, Willard of Michigan.
Mr.. Conger of Mich. suggested sarcasticalIy |
hat the Speaker should appoint a Republican |