The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-10
FROM WASHINGTON.


imposing event. In the case OF the pres
ent Congress, the incidents of the organ
IiZation are peculiarly interesting. For
the first time in seventeen years DEM
ocratic Speaker of the House OF Repre-
sentatlves was to be inducted into office.
There were likewise numbers Of new
members, some Of them inexperienced
land verdant; and the Washington ''pop-
ulace" are ever eager to scan the faces
and physique Of the "new members"
The old members and habitues of the
Capitol however renowned, are passed
by almost unnoticed among the Stat and
greasy citizens" here, while they will
scrutinize the physiognomy and general
makeup OF new members as closely as
Though they had some personal interest
in the MAINLAND possibly they have.
Precisely at noon to-day the proceed
ings for organizing the National Legis-
lature were commenced. In the Senate,
nothing was done but to take suitable
steps for the preservation of its dignity,
aud after three minutes prayer and
thirty minutes session that body had
finished its first days work, and ad-
journed.
The great interest Of the occasion was
centered in the Hall of the House. This
was literally packed with people long
before the hour of twelve. On such oc-
casions the "sovereigns" are apt to
make pretty free with public places; so
that net only was every gallery and corri-
dor crowded, but even the sacred seats
of the members in the body of the Hall
were unceremoniously appropriated tc
such an extent that many of the select"
were forced to stand while the ''proceed-
ings proceeded" Nevertheless every
thing was done after the manner of the
Apostolic injunction, with decency and
in order"
Scarcely had the hour of twelve been
knelled by passing bell, when the Clerk
duty was, called the new House to Or
der, and Immediately proceeded to call
the roll of the memDers-elect, in order
to determine whether q cons titutional
quorum were present TOR the transac.
tion of business. Out of the whole men,
bership of 292, only six were absent. A
quorum present being announced by the
retiring Clerk, for moment solemn
stiffness reigned throughout the Hall.
The first voice to break that silence and
to utter the initial words of the new
House was that of Lamar of Missis-
sippi, who moved for the election of the
Speaker; and ON this being agreed to,
Mr.. Lamar Immediately added,- put
in nomination for the office Of Speaker OF
the House for the Forty-fourth Congress,
Mr.. Michael 9. Kerr, q member-elect
from the State of Indiana"
This nomination, which had been pre-
yiously agreed upon in the Democratic
caucus of Saturday, was followed by the
nomination Of James u. Blaine, of Maine,
for the same position, On the part OF the
Republicans.
Then followed the loud monotonous
call for the roll of members by the Clerk
for their votes. Finally the Clerk an
nounces :-sThe whole number of votes
cast is 2S2, necessary TO choice 141;
Michael q. Kerr received 173, James G.
Blame 1862 and this was confirmed by
the four tellers; whereup0n Mr.. Kerr
was announced as elected.
During these proceedings it was al
study to watch the countenances and
manner of those who had figured con-
spicuously ir the contest for the Speaker
ship. Mr.. Kerr himself sat far back from
the Speakers desk, on the right-hand
side Of the Hall. He seemed, from his
manner, about the most Indifferent
person in that crowd as to the pro-
result was secured. A stranger would
not have supposed him to be a candidate.
Forward towards the Speakers desk
sat Mr.. Randall, Mr.. Kerr's chief COM
petitor. He looked pale, sad, and dis
turbed. 1t was plainly to be seen that
he was disappointed man; disap-
pointed in his ambition and In his
hopes, which, before the caucus, had
grown into certainty in his own mind,
and disappointed probably by the falling
off of some who had prottered him their
votes. Such things do happen among
politicians; and when they happen, they
who telt hurt, wounded in the house OF
his friends.
But, there was Fernando Wood,
ruddy, robust, smoothing with gingerly
touch of delicate finger that snowy and
inestimable moustache, upon which
there seemed yet TO linger the fragrance
of the good dinner and sound wine which
he had but recently dispensed to those
who Uoald eat his dinners, and aoould
not make him Speaker.
Aud there, sitting next to Randall, Is
Cox, the festive, the funny, the trolick-
| some. BY his manner one would think
that no regarded the whole thing as only
La stupendous joke, calculated to make
men laugh no matter which man won.
Cox is very pleasant gentleman and a
fair member OF Congress, but In the
Speakers Chair he would have been q
monkey in pulpit.
| But the vote has been declared and
Mr.. Kerr pronounced elected. There's
upon the Clerk appoints Mr.. Blaine and
Mr.. Randall to the graceful duty Of es-
corting the newly elected speaker to the
Chair. And most gracefully Is this duty,
performed. Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. Randall
advance from their seats In the body OF
the Hall to the open space In front Of the
Chair, where they meet and kindly and
cordially greet each other by mutual
pressure Of hands. Thence they proceed
arm in arm up the main aisle TO where
the Speaker is seated. Addressing to
him the few words Of appropriate cour-
tesy, the Speaker smiling accepts the
offered arm Of each, and marches thus
escorted to the Speakers Chair, when
his escort, bowing him to his seat, re-
| tire. N.T.ls.4#t aes Il,
Then once more did utter stiffness
reign in that noisy hall, while the new
Sneaker stood for moment. prepara-