Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-12-05
The Judiciary Committee Instructed to
Inquire if Colorado is in the Union.
A South Carolina I.vestig ating
Committee APP ointed.

tSNuSsioh WaS ttupcThtc hud uo uIcats WtTc lu-
dulged in. The democrats in the House we're
somewhat excited, and freely talked about their
determination to resist the declaration of Hayes
lif he should have majority Of the electoral col
lege) on the l4th of February, by every paria-
mentary means; but nobody counseled violence.
There is great interest to hear from Louisiana.
At II Nj. the Senate WAS called to order by
President Ferry, and after preliminary business q
committee was appointed to wait on the President
to inform him that the Senate was ready to receive
any communication from him.
In the Senate, Messrs. Blaine of Maine, Chaffee
and Teller of Colorado, and Price of West Vir-
GINA, were sworn, and Chafee drew for the long
term ending March 4, 1879.
Mr.. Edmunds pre:enteda resolution auhoriz-
ing an inquiry into the recent elections in the
three contested States, and also IS to the ehg
ty Of electors from those States.
Mr.. ingalls, presented a resolution recommend
ing 3 CONVEX ntion at Columbus, Ohio, in May mex
to revise and amend the United States Constitu-
tion.
Both we're ordered to lie on the table.
At o'clock the Senate adjourned.
The House was called to order by the Clerk,
Mr.. Adams.
After an attempt on the part Of several republi.
cans to have the members from Colorado and one
from Maine in place of Mr.. Blaine admitted be-
fore the election of Speaker, resolution by Hol-
man tdem) was adopted by vote Of l62 to "a,
that the House proceed to ballot for Speaker Uira
pOce.
Samuel j. Randall was elected Speaker, re-
ceiving 100 votes TO SO for Gen. Garfield (rep. }
Mr.. Randall, on taking the chair, made g brief
speech.
He urged that the country must be maintained
at all hazards and that all attempts to troops
for unconstitutional purposes must be frowned
down. lie touchngly referred to Mr.. kerrs
death and eulogized his character. He said that
the country was to be subjected to the severest
strain in 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
constitutional rights of the House.
The people he said look confidently to the mod
Grafton and 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 consec-
utive service The oath of Office was admins
tered by the Speaker 10 Mr.. Stevens Of Ga, who
had not presented himself last session, and the
new members elected to fill vacancies.
Objection was made to the swearing in Of Mr..
Buttz of South Carolina, and Mr.. Belford Of Col
orado. Ia relation to the latter, Mr.. Springer of
Illinois offered resolution instructng the Judic-
isry committee to inquire and report at an early
day as possible, whether Colorado is Q State in
the Union, and directing until such report is re-
ceived that person claiming to be q represe nta-
tive from Colorado shall be sworn IS a member.
Mr.. Banks of Massachusetts, argued in favor of
the immediate swearing of the member from Col
orado, and sent to the clerks desk and had read
the proclsmatio Of the President in compliance
with the law declaring Colorado q State in the
Union.
Debate ensued in which Messrs. Hoar of Mass,
Hurlbut of H., Wood Of n. Y, jerks of Pa and
Springer of H., took part.
After some preliminary votes, Mr.. Sprnger's
resolution referring credentials of Colorado mem
ber to Judiciary committee was adopted, yeas l42
nays 9S. The republicans voted solidly against it,
as did the following named democrats: Messrs.
Blaunt, Cox, Durham, IIartwell, Holman, kehr,
Lemoye, Morgan Neal. o. Brien, Rea, Savage,
Stevenson, Wstterson, and Wells of Mo.
Mr.. McCrary of Iowa presented the credentials
of MIR. Butz of South Carolina. remarkng that
the decision of the question Opposition being
made) would consume time, he offered to yield
the floor for motion to adjourn.
Mr.. Holman of Ind WAS about to make the mo-
ton to adjourn, but at the request of Mr. Hewitt
of N. u, he withheld the motion, to allow reso-
luton which that gentlemen desired to offer to be
read for the information of the House.
Mr.. Conyer of Mich. objected TO the reading,
but as the Speaker ruled that a single objection
would prevent the resolution being considered at
tins time (pending Mr.. McCrarys question OF
privilege) the resolution cad II provides
for the appointment of three select committees,
one of fifteen members, to proceed to South Car
oina TO investigate the action of the returning or
canvsssing boards as to the recent elections in
those States, and to report all the facts essential
to an honest return of the votes Of electors for
Pres sldent and Vice President, and TO fair under
toral votes of those States should be counted.
The committees are 10 have power to send for
persons and papers, to take testimony, and to ap-
point q subcommittee with q like power, and TO
employ stenographers, clerks and messengers.
The Speaker asked Mr.. McCrsry whether he
would yield TO have the resolution offered.
Mr.. McCrary said he would not.
MIR. Hewitt of n. T., asked whether he could
not move to suspend the rules and suspend the
resolution.
The Speaker replied tha. he could not as the
gent from Indiana had the floor on the question
Of privilege
Mr.. Hamilton of Indian, asked Mr.. McCrary to
yield for a resolution, appointing Saturday next
for euloges on the late Speaker Kerr, EXPIRE ssive
of his eminent services and his impsrtiality as
presiding officer.
Mr.. McCresry declined to yield unless the usu
al phrase was added TO the resolution. That as
further mark of esteem the House do now ad-
journ.
Mr.. Hamilton declined to make that modifca
ton.
Mr. ingalls, introduced joint resolution (Which
| was ordered to be printed and lay on the table
recommending convention to revise and amend
the constitution of the United States. 1t recon-
mends that the convention be held on the second
Monday in May. 1877, at Columbus, Ohio; tha
the chief justice OF the United States preside anC
| that each State be entitled 10 send as many dele
gates as it is entitled to presidential electors.
AYERS that in the opinion Of Congress the reviset
[ and amended constitution should be reported Il
the President of the U. s. upon the adjourumen
Of said convention, and that it should therefor,
Immediately be submitted by the President to
convention of delegates chosen in each State b,
the people thereof, under the recommendation
its legislature for its assent and ratification. l
is recommended to the legislatures of the severa
states of the Union to apply to Congress withou
any delay to call convention, Is aforesaid, q
provided in article OF the constitution.
Thereupon the House proceeded to the consid
GRAFTON of the question Of admitting Mr.. Buttz o
South Carolina to his seat, the point against hi
admission being that be has been counted in" b,
the returning board.
Mr.. Morrison Of III. presented memorial an
protest signed by the citizens Of the distric
against the admission of Mr.. Buttx. and move
reference of the question to the Committee O.
Elections.
The notion was adopted l42 to SO.
Mr.. Hewitt Of n. Y. then asked unanimou