The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-10-25


Jr., in the Second District, but he had subse-
quently received a certificate from Gov Drew
showing that the Supreme Court had ordered
a recount of the ballots in the First District,
which showed the election of II. IL NJ David
son, and his name had therefore been placed
upon the roll. With reference TO Colorado,
the Clerk stated that he had not placed the
name eff either contestant upon the
roll, leaving the House to deter
mine the matter after its organization.
The roll call being completed, the Clerk an
nounccd that PSI members had answered to
their names. The election of Speaker was
then declared to be in order, and ballot be-
ing taken. Samuel j. Randall received l49
votes and John a. Garfield lS2 Upon taking
the chair the Speaker made a brief speech.
The other House officers were then elected,
ds nominated by Democratic caucus.
The members of the House then took the
oath, which was administered bythe Speaker.
Objection was made to the swearing in of
Messrs. Cain and Rainey of South Carolina;
Darral, Elan and Robertson of Louisiana, and
Pacheco of California, and those members
stood aside. After the appointment of the
usual temporary committees, the House adj
journed. rI
The Speaker, before taking the chair, said:
Gentlemen of the House OF Representative
Elevated for second time by your gener-
osity TO the exalted dignity of Speaker of this
House, thank You with grateful heart. ]
shall endeavor with even temper, but with
rigid firmness, TO perform the duties of the
office and to respond adequately to the conf
dence reposed in me, by conforming my action
TO the clearly expressed will of the House;
Yet fully realizing TIE delicacy and
difficulties of the position, solicit your advice
and assistance, feeling assured at the same
time of your torbearance and indulgence. We
meet under circumstances imperiOusly de-
handing that all considerations of class and
section or party shall be subOrdinated to the
loftier and more patriotic object of doing
what is best for the whole country and all its
people. Since last adjournment an Adj
ministration has been inducted into
Office which is obeyed as the actual
Government, regardless of the grave
events which marked its birth; and this
House, animated by spirit of true patriot
ism, desiring, first, public tranquility under
the law, will frankly approve any sincere and
permanent policy looking to complete pacifi-
cation by Constitutional methods, and to the
consequent promotion of the general well
fare. But it should be held our sacred duty
to provide legislation which will render inn
possible a repetition of the wrongs which
have occurred and of the dangers which have
threatened us. j assume that we will take no
step backward in the work of retrenchment
and reform so auspiciously begun by the last
House. Under a matured and definite plan of
reduction OF expenses of the Government, it
is certain that still greater reductions can be
made without impairing the efficiency of ad-
ministration. To have an honest adminiStra-
ton it should be frugal. Never before was it
more urgent than now, with general financial
distress and with labor depressed by heavy
burdens, to exercise the sternest economy
When the iron hand of hard necessity dark
ems every household in the land, eXtraVa
gance on the part of the peoples servants is
an unpardonfble crime IL is partly because
of that wholesome policy so faithfully car
ried out that / am permitted this day to
speak from this place. Invoking for
our deliberations that tolerance of opinion
which secures harmonious action, that right
and clear Judgment which purifies legislation,
and hoping that mutual confidence and re-
spect shall Subs1st between the House and its
presiding officer, am now ready to take the
oath prescribed by law.
In the Senate, on the 10th, large number
of bills and petitions were presented and re
feTred. Among the petitions were many IA
vOring the increase of the compensation of
letter carriers. Among the bills was one by
Senator Beck for the removal OF all diSaDlii-
ties imposed by the Fourteenth Amendment.
resolution providing that the committees
existing at the close of the last session be
continued until further orders was agreed
to-. Memorials from the Missouri Legisla-
ture, in favor of the removal of the National
Capitol to the Mississippi Valley, and in rela-
ton to Il national system of levees for the
Mississippi River, were referred. The Presl-
dents Message was read and ordered printed.
......In the House, long discussion took
place on the question of swearing in the two
cOlored South Carolina members, Rainey and
Cain, whose names were put on the roll by
the Clerk. 1t was finally determined that rs
these gentlemen had the usual certificates of
election they should be sworn in, then their
rights to seats might be referred. Objection
was withdrawn in the case of Darrell, of Lou
isiana, and he also was sworn in. The case
of Elan of Louisiana was discussed, but no
result reached The Presidents Message was
read and referred to the Committee of the
Whole. Rules of the last House were adopt.
ed, Committee on Rules was ordered, and
the House then adjourned.
In the Senate, on the 18th, the credentials
of Henry NJ. Spofford, Senator from Louisi-
ana, were presented and read, and their con-
sideration postponed until to morrow. Bills
were introduced-by Senator Beck, authoriZ-
ing the payment of 50 per cent. customs du-
ties in legal tender notes; by senator
McCreeTy, to repeal the Bankrupt
law. On motion of senator Morrill,, a resolu-
ton filling the vacancies on committees, as
follows, was agreed to: Senator Matthews of
Ohio and Wallace of Pennsylvania on Foreign
relations. Senator Cameron of Pennsylvania
on Military Affairs and Public Buildings and
Grounds. Senator Armstrong of Missouri on
Railroads. senator Grover of Oregon on
Private Land Claims. senator Armstrong
of Missouri on Enrolled Bills. Sem
ator Ferry of Michigan was made
Chairman of the Committee on Post-ofiices
and Post Roads in place of senator Hamlin,
who retains his place on the committee rs a
member, and Senator Hamlin is also made
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
lions in place of Senator Morton, who retains
his old place as Chairman of the Committee
on Privileges and Elections. Senator Morrill,
stated it was the wish of the senator from In
diana (Morton) that this latter change
should be made. After an exec
utive session the Senate adjourned.....
The House snent most of the day in discuss
ing the cases of the Louisiana contestants.
Upon vote being taken, Messrs. Elam and
Robertson were declared entitled to the seats
from the Fourth and Sixth Districts, and they
were accordingly sworn in. PachecO OF the
Fourth California District was also sworn III.
Adjourned till Saturday, with the under
standing that no business be done on that
day.
The Senate, on the 18th, devoted nearly
the entire session to discussion of resolu
ton offered by Senator Thurman to have the
oath administered to Spohord (Dem.) of Lou
isiana. the question being on an amendment
offered by Senator Mitchell, to refer the ere
dentials to the Committee ON Privileges and
Elections, of which Senator Morton is Chair
man and senator Mitchell acting
Chairman A vote being taken,
adopted-yeas, 36; nays, 80. Senator Davis OF
Illinois voted with the Democrats in the
negative. Mr.. Whyte then offered Il resolu-
ton, instructing the committee to report on
proXimo, which was rejected by
about the same vote yeas,
81: nays, 35-Davis of Illinois again voting
with the Democrats. Mr.. Conkling then OF
fered an amendment, instructing the commit :
tee also to report upon the credentials OF VIII
liam p. Kellogg which was agreed to......The
House was not in session.
In the Senate, on the 10Th, after the eX-
piratiOn of the morning hour, resolution
submitted by Senator Thurman, to discharge
the Committee on Privileges and Elections
from further consideration of the credentials
of j. Z. Eustis of Louisiana, was debated at
some length but without coming to vote,
the Senate adjourned till MondaY..... House
not in session.
.