The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1877-11-01

luthlHutDl uOWtNtIJ dn Db'h "'iShVIy "h'
never dc facto governor Of Louisiana, and
never, In point OF fact, exercised or per.
formed the functions Of that ohice, IL Is not
deemed necessary to make here any state.
ment concerning the regularity or irregular.
ity Of tho credentials coming from that
source. Another set of credentials wa'
signed by VIM. Pitt Kellogg as governor cf
Louisiana, with the seal Of the state attached,
all bearing different dates, and all OF which
reached the hands Of the clerk
through different channels, de STAR
Ing persons elected from each
district except the second; as TO which dis
trict no certificate seems TO have been is.
sued by Gov. Kellogg to any one. The law
OF Louisiana prescribing the character of
credentials, provides that as soon as possible
after the expiration of the time of making
returns OF the election for representatives 10
congress, a certificate OF returns shall be en-
tered on record by the secretary of state, and
signed by the governor, and that a copy
thereof subscribed by those officers shall be
delivered to the persons 30 elected, and
another copy transmitted to the clerk'of the
house OF representatives. These credentials,
signed by Gov Kellogg, are in no sense in
compliance with the requirements of the law
of Louisiana. They do not even purport to
he copy of the certificates On the con.
trary, they are the simple declaration OF Gov.
Kellogg that certain persons were elected,
without even stating the sources OF his in.
formation, and they no more constitute ere
dentals within the meaning of the law OF
Louisiana, than a similar statement from the
treasurer or other state official would They
cannot, therefore be recognized by the
clerk. The other set of credentials is signed
by Gov. Nichols and secretary Of state Ar
rago, with the seal of the state attached.
They declare persons elected in each OF the
districts Of Louisiana, and conflict with the
certificates signed by Gov. Kellogg, in refer.
ence to two districts only. These creden.
tials comply with the law of Louisiana in
every respect, and the clerk has accordingly
placed on the roll the names OF the persons
contained in them.
On motion of Mr.. Wood the house pro.
ceeded to the election OF speaker.
Mr.. Clymer nominated Samuel J. Randall
and Mr.. Hale nominated James A. Garfield.
were appointed tellers, and Mr.. Clymer an.
nounced the result: For Samuel J. Randall,
149 votes; for James A. Garfield, 1872; and Mr..
Randall was declared elected.
The speaker before taking the chair said:
Gentlemen of the house of representatives.
Elevated for the second time by your gen.
erosity to the exalted dignity of speaker OF
this house, | thank you with a grateful heart
shall endeavor, with even temper but with
rigid firmness, to perform the duties Of the
Office, and respond adequately to the conf.
dence IepOsed in me to conforming my aC.
tion to the clearly expressed will of the house.
Yet fully realizing the deicacy and difficulty
OF the position, solicit your advice and assist.
ance feeling assured at the same time for
your forbearance and indulgence. Wcmeet
under circumstances imperiously demand.
ing that all considerations Of class and see.
tion or party shall he subordinate to the
lOiier and more patriotic object OF doing
what is best for the whole country and all
its people. Since adjournment an admins.
tration has been inducted into office, which
is obeyed as the actual government, regard
less OF the grave events which marked its
birth. And this house, animated by spirit
OF true patriotism, desiring, first, public
tranquility, under law, will frankly approve
any sincere, permanent policy looking to
complete paciication by constitutional
methods, and to the consequent promotion Of
the general welfare, but it should be held
our sacred duty to provide legislation which
will render impossible repetition of the
wrongs which have occurred, and of the
dangers which threaten u.s. ] assume that
we will take no step backward in the work
Of retrenchment and reform SO auspiciously
begun by the lust house. Under matured
and definite plans OF reduction OF the ex-
penses of the government, it is certain that
still greater reductions can be made without
impairing the efficiency of its administra.
tiOn. To have an honest administration it
l. 4 l. ,t
then now, with the general financial distress,
and with labor depressed with heavy bur.
dens to exercise the sternest economy, when
the iron rule of hard necessity darkens every
household in the land, extravaganza on tie
part of the peoples servants is an unpardon
able crime, II is partly because o! that
wholesome policy so faithfully carried ont
that am permitted this day to speak from
this place, invoking for our deliberations
that tolerance of opinion which secures har
monious action, right and clear Judgment,
which purfes legislation, and that mutual
confidence aud respect shall subsit between
the house and its presiding officer
] am now ready TO take the oathprescribed
by law.
The oath of Office was administered to the
speaker, who then administered the oath to
| the members. Most OF the southern members
tnol the qualified oath.
objection was made To swearing in of
| Messrs. Cain and Rainey, of South Carolina,
Messrs. Daily, Ely and Robertson, Of Louisi
ana and Mr. Pacbeco, of California, and
those members stood aside.
Mr. Clymer offered resolution electing as
clerk Geo. NJ. Adams, of Kentucky; ser.
peant.at.arms, John G. Thompson, OF Ohio
doorkeeper. John w. Polk, of Missouri
nostmast,r. James NJ. Stewart, OF Virginis
and as chaplain, Rev. DR.. John Poisel, OF
MARYLAND, and the resolution was adopted
without a division.
The oath of oifce was then administered
to these officers, Messrs. Stewart and Polk
taking modified oath.
Committees were then appointed to inform
the senate of the organization Of the house
and TO inform the president that the house
is ready TO receive any communication hi
may desire to make. Adjourned.
In ,ba uouso ,p tho 17tb after tb,