Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-12-16
CONGRESSIONAL.

The first session OF the Forty fourth Con-
gress was begun at Washington on the 9Th. The
Senate was called to order ut twelve O'Clock by
the President pro tenn, Senator Ferry, of Michi-
gan. After prayer by the Chaplain the creden
tials OF David NJ. Key, appointed to succeed the
late Andrew johnson, Of Tennessee, were pre-.
scented, and he sworn In Mr. Boutwell,
formally announced the death of Nice-President
Wilson. The House was called TO order by Mr..
McPherson. Clerk of the Forty-third Congress.
Two hundred and eighty-six members answered
to their names. The vote for Speaker resulted rs
follows: NJ. C. Kerr (the nominee of the Demo
cratic caucns), 49, j. g. Blaine, l03; scattering,
3. Mr.. Kerr was conducted to the chair,
and returned thanks in Il few remarks, prornis-
ing complete fairness and impartialiy to-
ward all. The oath of office was admins
tered TO the Speaker by Mr.. Kelley. of
Pennsylvania, as the oldest continuous member
OF the House, and the Speaker then administered
the oath to the mem bers The nominees of the
Democratic caucus for the minor offices of the
House were then elected by resolution, and
sworn in A resolution was adopted that the
rules of the House IN the Fofty-third Congress
be the rules Of the present House, except Rules
l66 and l67. and also providing for the appoint
ment OF Committee on Rules, to consist Of the
Speaker and four members. Rules l66 and l61
are those adopted in the last Congress requiring
motions TO suspend the rules TO be seconded by
u majority, and forbidding the entertainment OF
dlatory motions. The usual committees to no
tiiy the Senate and President We're appointed.
The Presidents message was read in
The Senate on the ,th and ordered printed. James
T.. English sworn in as Senator from Connect
icut, IN place Of o. $. Ferry, deceased The
drawing of seats took place in the House, after
which the Presidents message was read and or
dercd printed. A petition Of W. Ii. Prescott and
Others Of South Carolina, with reference to the
right OF the Third Congressional District OF that
State, was presented and referred. The House ad
iourned TO the 10th
A large number of memorials were pre-
eented in the Senate on rhe Sth, among them one
rem the Centennial Board OF Finance asking for
appropriation of Sl,50o,Ooo Among the bills
introduced WAS one by Mr.. Morton to provide for
and regulate the counting OF votes for President
and Nice-President and the disposition of ques-
tious arising therefrom. Mr. Morton also submit
ted joint resolution TO amend the Constitution
of the United States SO H. 10 elect the President
ana Vice. President by direct vote of the people
and 10 abolish the Electoral College.
The Standing and Select Committees
were announced in the Senate on the 9th. let
ter was presented from w. l.. Mcmillan asking
permission to withdraw his credentials as Sena-
tor-eect from Louisiana by the Nj Emery Legisla-
ture and an order WAS submitted that the request
he granted, but objection being made IL wac laid
over. Among the bills introduced and referred
was one by Mr.. Bogy authorizing the payment OF
duties on imports in legal-tendcr and National
Bans notes, after July 1, 1876. Adjourned TO the
18th.