The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-04

CARLISLES S ADDRESS UPON TAKING THE CHAIR
Upon taking the chair, Mr.. Carlisle said:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives
l thank you sincerely for the high honor con-
ferred by the vote just taken. TO be chosen
from the membership of body like this to pre-
size over its deliberations is a distinction upon
which any citizen might properly congratulate
himself, and assure you your kindness is fully
appreciated. AT the same time realize the fact
that the position which you have assigned me is
one OF very great labor and responsibility; and
while profoundly grateful at this manifestation
or your confidence, shall enter upon the dis
charge OF It's duties with serious dlstrust of my
capacity to meet in an acceptable manner the
requirements of the Office promise, however,
to devote your service all the zeal and ability
OF which possessed The maintenance of
order on the floor is essential, absolutely essential
to Intelligent, systematic transaction of public
bnslneee, and earnestly invoke Your assistance
In the enforcement of the rules adopted for the
government of our proceedings. large addi-
tlon TO the membership of the House, resulting
rom the late anpOrtionment of representatives,
makes this duty even more difficult than be-
fere, and without your cordial cooperation and
support cannot reasonably hope even TO dis
charge the ordinary daily duties or this Office
Ihat you Will cheerfully cooperate with me in
every proper effort to preserve order and IA
cllltate the business of legislation l have no
doubt but, gentlemen, snail ask something
more than mere cooperation in the discharged of
my duty. Assuring you of my earnest desire at
all times to be just and impartial still cannot
expect to avoid mistakes, and shall be compelled
therefore, frequently, no doubr, to rely on the
friendly forbearance OF the gentlemen of both
sides Of the House. l am sure, gentlemen, all
matters of legislation presented to this Congress
will receive from you such careful consdera-
ton as the magnitude and character
of the interests involved require, and your ac
ton upon Them will be wise, conservative and
patriotic Sudden and radical changes of the
laws and regulations affecting the commercial
and Industrial interests of the people ought
manded by some public emergency, and, In my
opinion, under existing circumstances such
changes would not be favorahly received by any
considerable number of those who have given
IAnDlauSe.I
Many reforms undoubtedly are necessary, aud
it will ne your duty, after careful examina alton
OF the whole sunject, In all its bearings, TO de-
eide how far they should extend, and when aud
in what manner they should be made. APP
plause If there be any who fear your action,
on this or any other subject, will actually be
injurious TO any interest, or even
afford reasonable cause of alarm, am
quite sure they will be agreeably disappointed.
tpplauseI What the country has the right TO
expect is strict economy in the administration
of every department of the government,
just ami equal taxation for public pur pOses faith
tul obedience to the limitations of the cOnstitu-
tion, serupulous regard of the rights and inter
ests OF the great body of the people in order that
they be protected; for Congress- has the power to
protect them, against encrORchments from every
direction Whatever can be done, under the cir
cumstances surrounding us, to meet this expect
alton ought to be done, IN my judgment; but,
gentlemen. without OBTAINING you further, am
ready to tSke the oath of office prescribed by the
constitution and laws, and proceed TO com plete
the organization OF the House.
The 'iron-clad" oath was administered by
Mr.. 1Aetley, the Oldest member in continuous
service, and Speaker Carlisle called the House
to order. As the States were called the re-
presentatives came forward and qualified.
THE CREDENTIALS OF PETERS AND MANNING
When Kansas was reached, Mr.. Peters,
representative at-large from that State, at the
request of Mr.. Springer, was asked to step
aside, Mr.. Springer stated that the Governor
of Kansas had forwarded him a petition
signed by himself and other State officers,
and large number of citizens, protesting
against the admission of Mr.. Peters, on the
ground that, under the constitution and laws
of Kansas he is ineligible TO hold office. He
however withdrew the objection and Mr.
Peters took the oath.
Mr.. Converse, rising to question of priv
ilege, said that the Clerk of the House this
morning stated that had a certificate from
the Governor of Mississippi been presented
by any person claiming to be representative
from the Second district of that State he
would place his name on the roll. For rea-
sons satisfactory to Mr.. Manning he had
chosen not to present that certificate until
action had been taken. He (Mr. Converse)
had called upon Mr.. Manning's attorney and
asked permission to present Mr.. Manning's
credentials to the House. 1t has been the
policy of the House, by an unbroken train
of precedent for years, to seat the member
who holds certificate from the Governor.
He asked to have the certificate read.
Mr.. Keifer said Mr.. Manning never ac-
cepted certificate and put on the clerks
file statement which showed he was beaten
by $50 votes He had also, in effect, stated
that he would not ask to be seated on that
certificate. Did the gentleman propose to
force Mr.. Manning to do what he would not
do himself?
Mr.. Converse replied that not only did
Mr. Manning hold the certificate, and was,
prima facie, entitled to the seat, but, upon
the contest it would be shown that he was
entitled to itupon his merits.
The certificate was read, after a short dis
cusson over the right of the Republicans to
demand a reading of other papers on file in
the Clerks office.
Mr.. Converse offered a resolution reciting
that Mr. Manning holds the certificate of the
Governor of Mississippi, and providing that
he be Immediately qualified as a member of
the House, without prejudice, to the final
right to the seat.
Mr.. Kasson doubted whether the House
had the right to order man who did not
claim to be elected, sworn in, to which Mr..
Converse replied that Mr. Manning did claim
the right to the seat.
The previous question was ordered on the
resolution, and resulted-yeas 162, navs 128.
MIR. Calkins offered resolution providing
that the certificate of the Governor of Mis-
sissippi certifying to the election of Mr..
Manning, together with the certificate of the
Secretary of State, and all other papers in
the hands of the Clerk OF the House touch
ing the right of Mr. Chalmers to the seat, be
referred to the committee on elections when
appointed, with instructions to report with
out delay which parties, if any, are entitled,
prma facie, to be sworn in, pending discus
sion of the merits of the case. Pending ac-
ton, the House adjourned
Aatjn in fl,a
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The Senate was
called to order by President pro tenn. Ed