Mr. SHIELLABARGER. Mr. Speaker, it is perfectly obvious from the temper of the House and the indications we have had, that a bill is to pass this body which is to provide for the meeting of the 1st session of the 40th Congress on the 4th day of March. That fact being known, we may as well consider the propriety of this amendment from that stand point. This question, then, of the inconvenience of holding these elections so soon as February, comes to just this: the choice between being represented in the 40th Congress or holding an election between now and the 4th of March. The gentlemen from California, therefore, will see that their State will either not be represented in the 1st session of Congress, or else they must hold their election before the 4th of March next. Now, in the amendment which I have proposed I have postponed that election until within a week of the 4th of March, certainly not allowing more time than will be ab selutely requisite to get the necessary returns. Now, Mr. Speaker, I do not deem it meet or comely for this Congress to provide for the holding of a session of the 40th Congress without at the same time making provision by which all the States might at least be represented in Congress which are now recognized as entitled to representation. Let Congress at least do its duty in the way of providing a method by which the States may be represented. If the State of California or any other State, either on account of its snows or other circumstances, may not choose to avail itself of the methods provided by the act of congress, that will be a matter which will concern the State itself. But I entreat this Congress, sitting as we now do, unfortunately and sadly deprived by the rebellion of some States of their wonted presence here, let us not pass a law providing for a meeting of the next congress without providing a method by which the 6 States that have yet to hold their elections may be represented here, when the fact is that we can do so. The Constitution provides that another time for the meeting of Congress may be fixed by law. We are now passing a bill containing such a provision. Therefore let us make it possible that each State may be represented here. The question of convenience or inconvenience is one that does not seriously affect the propriety of passing this amendment. My friend, the chairman of the Committee of Eleetions, [Mr. DAWEs, I suggests that we leave it for the purpose of being adjusted in a bill that that committee has under consideration. Now, I agree with that gentlemen entirely, provided we are sure that that bill will pass. I have preferred that method, and prefer it still. I have favored the bill he proposes, and still favor it. But that may not become a law, and hence I want this amendment to go on the statute book along with this law, so that it shall not be said that Congress did not ir.ovide that 6 States should be represented at the 1st session of the next Congress. Now, after what I have said, if the members from the States that are interested prefer to run the risk of taking my colleague's bill without having this provision put in the law, I will withdraw my amendment. But I thought it was agreeable to the members from the States for whose benefit it was offered. I now yield to the Gentfrom Tennessee, oMAYNARD. J