The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-07
Forty Fourth Congress-First Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON Dec. 6.-The Senate was called
to order at II oclock by I. w. Ferry of Michi-
gan, president pro tenn. Rev. DIR. Sunderland
chaplain, offered prayer in which he invoked
divine blessing on the President of the United
States and Congress and upon the whole ma
ton. He referred in appropriate terms to the
deaths which have occurred since the last ses-
sion.
Mr.. Cooper of Tennessee presented the Gre
dentials OF David NJ. Key, appointed United
States Senator in place of Andrew johnson,
deceased, and he was sworn in.
The usual resolutions to notify the House of
Representatives and the President of the Unit
ed States that quorum of the Senate had as
sembled and was ready for business were
adopted and at IL. o'clock the Senate took
recess for half an hour.
At 12.45 the Senate assembled and Boutwell,
announced the death of Vice President Wilson,
and said at an early day resolutions relating to
his life, character and public services would be
offered.
Senator Anthony said it was not probable
any message would be received from the house
to-day or if at all it would be at a very late
hour. He therefore thought the Senate might
as we'll adjourn, and he made motion to that
effect, which was agreed to.
At 12.48 the Senate adjourned until to-mor-
row.
The 44th Congress was marked by the pres
ence in and around the capitol of larger crowd
of people, probably, than ever before watched
similar proceeding in Washington. Although
the forenoon was wet and dreary the unpeas-
antness OF the weather seemed to have little or
no effect in abating the eagerness of the multi
tude which has flowed into the city within the
past few days From an early hour the gale
res of the House of Representatives were filled
and packed as closely as possible. Then the
hall itself, and all the approaches to it, the cor
ridors passages and every available space
around, became gradually filled, until, as the
hour of noon approached, it was almost impos-
sible for one to make his way. The crowd con-
sisted mostly OF strangers, and it is safe to say
that majority, directly. or indirectly, were
eager after some of the places and emoluments
which the change of political parties in the
House is apt to offer for public scramble.
At IL o'clock the House was called to order
by Mr.. MCPHERSON, clerk Of the House of the
43d Congress, and the hall was cleared of all
people not entitled to its privileges. The at
tendance of members was very full nearly
every seat being occupied
Mr.. MCPHERSON then proceeded to call the
names of members by States, commencing with
Maine.
In regard to the representative from the 33d
district of New York, the clerk remind ed the
House that the person first elected from that
district hadsded since his election, and stated
that the person elected to fill the vacancy had
presented his credentials in so peculiar form
that he the clerk) preferred to submit the lues-
ton to the action of the House.
In response to the Louisiana delegation, the
clerk said he had received two sets of certifi-
Gates for the first four districts, both sets ind-
eating the election of the same persons AS to
the 9Th district, he had received two certificates
one signed by William Pitt Kellogg, showing
the election of Mr.. Morey, and the other
signed by John McEnery, showing the election
of Mr.. Spencer, and that as Mr.. Kellogg was
the de facto Governor he (the clerk) had acted
on his certificate and had enrolled Mr.. Morey
As to the 9th district he had received one GER
tificate, signed by Mr.. Kellogg and he had
acted on that.
The call having been concluded, the clerk
announced that 286 members had answered to
their names, the absentees being Dobbins of
New Jersey, Egbert Of Pennsylvania, (who re-
turned home this morning on account of death
in his family. Stephens Of Georgia, and Oliver
of Iowa.
These with the two vacancies from the 33d
district of New York, and the 4th district of
Illinois, make 292 members of which the House
is composed.
Lamar moved to proceed to the election of
speaker. He nominated Michal G. Kerr,
Wheeler of New York renominated James
G. Blaine. No other nominations were made.
The House then proceeded to vote for
Speaker with the following result: