Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-12-09
CONGRESS-.
SENATE.
WEsHINGToN, December 6.

SENATE.
WEsHINGToN, December 6.
The Senate was called to order
promptly at II O'Clock by Hon. 7. w.
Ferry, of Michigan, President pro tenn.
The overflow from the House surged
into the galleries of the Senute, and
they were filled.
The mourning arranged for the fun
eral ceremonies of Vice President Will
son remains in place, and his chair,
heavily draped, was placed in the rear
of that occupied by the presiding Off
Ger.
Rev. DR.. Sunderland, the Chaplain,
Offerered prayer, in which he invoked
Divine blessing on the President of the
United States, Congress and upon the
whole nation, and referred to the
deaths occurring since the last session.
Mr.. Cooper, of Tennessee, presented
the credentials of David NJ. Key, ap-
pointed U. S. Senator in place of An
drew johnson, deceased, and he was
sworn in.
The usual resolutions to notify the
House of Representatives and President
of the United States that quorum of
the Senate had assembled and was
ready for business were adopted.
Mr.. Anthony submitted a resolution
providing for the appointment of a
com mmittee. of two Senators to join such
committee as may be appointed by the
House of Representative to inform the
President that a quorum of the two
Houses had assembled, and that Con-
gress was ready to receive any COM
municatiOn he may be pleased to make.
Agreed to, and the Chair appointed
Messrs. Anthony and Thurman as such
committee.
AT l2:15 the Senate took recess for
half an hour.
On reassembling Mr.. Anthony said
it was not probable that any message
would be received from the House to-
day. He therefore thought the Senate
might a we'll adjourn. He made Il
motion to that effect, which WAS
agreed to, and at 12:45 the Senate ad-
journed till tomorrow.
HOUSE.
The opening of the 44th Congress WAS
marked by the presence in and around
the Capitol of larger crowd than
probably ever before watched similar
proceedings. Although wet and dreary
the weather seemed to have little or no
effect in restraing the eagerness of the
multitude which flowed into the city
the past few days. From an early
hour the galleries of the House we're
packed as closely as possible, aud all
the approaches and every available
space became gradually filled up, until.
N hnnr nfn uI.flrnaRhH.l
almost impossible for one to make his
way in any direction through the mass.
The majority of them were directly or
indirectly interested in the places and
emoluments which the changes of po-
litical parties in the House offers.
AT Il O'Clock the House was called to
orper hy Mr.. Mcpherson, Clerk of the
House of the 43d Congress, and the hall
was cleared off all not entitled to its
privilege. The attendance of members
was very full, nearly every seat being
occupied. Mr.. Mcpherson then called
the names of members by States com,
mencing with Maine.
| In regard to the representation from
the thirty-third district of New York
the clerk reminded the House that the
person first elected to fill the vacancy
had presented credentials so peculiar in
form that the clerk preferred to submit
the question to the House.
In reference to the Louisiana delega-
tiun the Clerk said he had received two
sets of certificates for the first four dis
tricts, both sets Indicating the election
of the same person, and that as to the
fifth district he has received two certi-
ficateS, one signed VIM. Pitt Kellogg,
showing the election of Mr.. Morry, the
other signed John McEnery, showing
the election of Mr.. Spencer. The Clerk
had enrolled Morry.
The call ended by the Clerk anEounc-
lug that 2S6 members had answered to
their names.
Mr.. Lamar moved that the House
proceed to the election of a Speaker
Agreed to.
Mr.. Lsmer-I put in nomination for
the Office of Speaker of the House for
the Forty-fourth Congress Michael G..
Kerr, member-elect from Indiana.
Mr.. Wheeler (of New York IL NOM
mate for the same pusition James q.
Blaine, of Maine.
The clerk asked if there were any
other nominations, and there being no
response, the House voted. Whole
number of votes cast, $50; necessary to
choice, 141. Kerr received l73; Blaine
LOG.
The Clerk appointed Messrs. Randall
and Blaine to escort the Speaker-elect
to the chair. AS Mr.. Kerr was conduct
ed down the aisle to the cha r there
was considerable clapping OF han4s on
the Democratic side of the House.
The Speaker on taking his position
said: Gentlemen OF the House OF Rep
re5entativ yes, ani heartily grateful TO
You for The honor whi,h you have con-
ferred upon me in calling me TO this
exalted station, | profoundly appreciate
the importance and delicacy of its du-
ties. L shall doubtless many times
need your patient indulgence. L pray
that you viii grant it, with nothing but
kindly feelings toward every member
of the House | promise that in all my
official acts | will divest myself to the
utmost ofmy ability ofall personal bias
and observe complete fairness and I'M
partiaIity towards all and towards all
the great and diversified interests of
our country represented il this house.
Kelly, of Pennsylvania, as the oldest
member of the House in the continuous
service, administered the oath of Office
to the Speaker.
The oath of Office was then admins
tered bV the Sneaker to the members '