The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-12-08

Republican, bat in all other respects /
hope to be able to act free from party
bias. 1t Is a singular fact that at this
most prosperous time in our nations
history, no party in either branch of
congress has an absolute majority over
all other parties, and it is, therefore,
peculiarly fortunate that at no other
time since and for many years prior to
the accession of Abraham Lincoln to
the executive chair has there been so
few unsettled vital questions of u ma
tiOnal character in relation to which
party lines have been closely drawn.
The national prosperity of the people is
In advance of any other period in the
history of our government. The vio-
lence of party spirit has materially sub
sided and in great measure many of
the reasons for its existence are gone,
while the universal tendency of the peO-
pie is 10 sustain and continue 10 build
up an unparalleled history. 1t should
be our highest aim to permanently pro-
mote and not cripple it. This congress
should be, and profoundly hope it will
be, marked peculiarly as business con-
gress. 1t may be true that additional
laws are yet necessary to give every citi-
zen complete protection in the exercise
of all political rights. With evenly
balanced party power, with few grounds
for party strife, and with no impending
presidential election to distract us from
purely legislative duties, venture to
suggest the present as an suspicious
time to enact laws to guard against re-
currence of dangers To our insti-
tutions, 'and to insure tranquility
at perilous times in the future.
Again thanking you for the hon
or conferred, and again invoking your
aid and generous judgment, am ready
to take the oath prescribed by law and
the constitution, and forthwith proceed,
with my best ability, guided by n SIM
cere, honest purpose, to discharge the
duties belonging to the Office with
which you have clothed ME. IGreat APP
plause.
Dibbie was permitted to take the oath
of Office and Speaker Keifer annouced
the roll of the house complete. All Re
publican caucus names for house offices,
were then elected and sworn by Chap.
lain Power.
BY special vote HIscock, Orth and
Reagan were appointed committee to
wait upon the president.
The work of swearing in the members
was commenced, Alabama being the
first state called.
Jones, of Texas, objected to the oath
being administered to Joseph Wheeler,
of Alabama, and asked that he be COM
PEELED to stand aside.
Randall asked the reason of this ac
ton.
The speaker stated that the matter
would be postponed until the oath had
been administered to other members.
Randall commended that the gentleman
could not be compelled to stand aside
but might do so if he desired.
1t was finally decided that Wheeler
should stand aside until members to
| whom there was no objection were
sworn.
Springer objected to the swearing Of
| DIR. Cuts, of Iewa, Van Voorhees,, OF
New York, T. King, of Louisiana, and
Moore, of Tennessee, in dramatic man
ner, which caused good deal of laugh
| ter; also to Chalmers, of Mississippi.
All these gentlemen stood aside.
Objections were further made TO the
| qualifying of Wadsworth and Van
Voorhees,, New York, Dibble and Moore
Tennessee.
After swearing in members to whom
there was no objection was concluded
| the case of Wheeler was taken up, but
as he had prima facie right to a seat
there was no strenuous objections made,
| and he was finally allowed to qualify
All objections, with the exception OF
| that against Chalmers and Dibble, hav'
| ing been withdrawn, the gentlemen
| were sworn in.
Chalmers case to the committee on
| elections, but on motion of Townsend, OF
Illinois, the resolution was laid on the
table, and the oath of Office was taken by
Chalmers.
Adjourned