Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
XLIVth CONGRESS.
Summary of Proceedings of Both Houses.

III .
MONDAY, December 6, 1876. - The
Senate called to order at - O'Clock, by T. W.
Ferry, of Michigan, President pro tenn. Rev.
DR.. Sunderland offered prayer, invoking the Di-
vine blessing on the President, on Congress, and
on the nation, and alluded feelingy to the deaths
occurring since the last session the credentials
OF David NJ Key successor of Andrew Johnson,
were presented, and he was sworn n. The House
and President were notified that quorum Of the
Senate had assembled, and was ready fer business,
and at 1915 recess taken. On reassembling,
Mr.. Boutwell, announced the death of Vice Presi.
to meet committee of the House, ands notify the
President that both Houses were now organized :.
Adjourned.
House.
At IL o'clock the House was called to order by
MIR. Mcpherson, clerk of the House of the 43d Con-
gress, who called the roll by States, 2s6 members
answering to their names. The credentials of
several members were presented. Those of the
member from the sd district of New Yorf were SC
peculiar in form that the question submitted to
the House. From the 5th district of Louisiana two
sets of credentials had been receivedone signed by
William Pitt Kellogg, showing the election of Mi.
Morey, ana the other signe1 by John McEnery,
showing the election of MIR. Spencer, and that as
Kellogg was the defacto governor the clerk had
ted on mis- certificates and had enrolled Morey As
to the 9th district he had only received one oerti-
cate, signed by Kellogg, and he had acteq on that
LIT was moved and agreed that the election of
Il.
Michael 9. Kerr, of Indiana; Mr.. Wheeler nom ina
ted James g. Blaine, of Maine AIR. Kerr elected
on the third ballet. Mr.. Kerr was conducted to his
seat 10y Messrs. Blaine and Randall, and Mr.. Kelly,
OF Pa, the oldest member, administered the oath
Some discussion arose as to the membership
OF the Louisiana Representatives, which
Morey to seat >. The following were then de-
clared to be the officers of the House: Clerk
George N. Adams, of Kentucky; Sergeant alarms
John G. Thompson, Of Ohio; Door keeper-La-
fayette II. Fitzhugh, Of Texas; Postmaster-James
M. Stewart, of Virginia; Chaplain = Rev. j. L.
Townsend, of the District of Columbia. The Sem
ate was then informed of the organization. The
old rules were then adopted. ;. Adjourned.
TUESDAY, December THE Senate
met at II M.....At 1z:15 P. NJ, on motion of Ere
hnghrysen, recess was taken until one o'clock =.
Upon reassembling. communication was received
from the President, stating that he would oom-
municate with Congress Immediately. At lis P.
NJ, the Presidents private secretary appeared with
the m sssage, and 1t was read by Mr.. Gorham, Sec
rotary of the Senate :. On motion of Mr. Conkling
the document was ordered to lie upon the table,
and to be printed. He also offered resolution to
print extra copies which was referred to the COM
m'ttee ON printing The President pro tenn laid
before the Senate the reports OF the various cabi
net officers and the Comptroller of the Currency,
which were ordered printed and laid on the table.
-. The Senate then adjourned.
House.
At the opening Of the House, Chaplain Townsend
appeared in gown and bands, and, kneeling on
footstool, offered prayer from the Episcopal prayer
book. The innovation excited much comment .
Mr.. Blaine made personal explanation, disclaim-
ing any intention of discourtesy to Mr.. Il mar, IN
using the word ''dishonored' in his remarks on the
Morey on Monday Mr.. Lamar accepted the
explanation in the generous spirit in which 1t was
made. :. The House then took recess uutil 1:15
NJ. Upon rcassembling, Mr.. Cox, chairman of the
committee appointed to wait on the President,
ported that communication in writing would be
received from the Executive forthwith. !. The
speaker submitted the question whether the House
would draw seats or have the Presidents message
read. The former course WAS adopted. blind
folded page then ew the names of the members
frsm q box, one by one, and the members, their
names called took the seats to be occupied by
them during the session >. The Presidents mes
cage was then received and read by the reading
clerk. The document was ordered printed Cox
presented the petition Of w. II. Prescott and
others, of South Carolina, with reference to the
right of representation of the Third Congressional
District Of south Carroll a. Referred to the COM
mlttee on elections. -. The House then adjourned
till Friday.