Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-06
WASHINGTON.

by Large msjOrIty-The PFesI.
dents Message 10 be Sent in To-
Morrow.
WASHINGTON, December 6 The open
ing of the F%orty-fourth Congress was
marked by the presence, in and around
the Capitol, Of a larger crowd than
probably ever before watched similar
proceedings, although the wet and dreary
weather seemed to have little or no
effect in restraining the eagerness Of the
multitude which flowed into the city
the past few days, and from an early
hour the galleries Of the House of Rep
reseutatives we're packed as closely as
possible. The hall itself, and all the
approaches, ard every available space
became gradually filled up, until, as the
hour of noon approached, it was almost
impossible for one to make his way in
any direction through the mass. a
majority of them we're directly or ind =
rectly interested in the places a
emoluments which the changes of
political parties in the house offers.
II o'clock the House was called to o
by Mr.. Mcpherson, Clerk of the H
of the Forty.tbird Congress, and the h.
was cleared Of all not entitled to
privileges. The attendance of membe
was very full, nearly every seat bel
occupied. Mr.. Mcpherson then called
the pames Of the members by States
commencing with Maine. In regard 10
the representation from the Thirty
third District of New York, the Clerk
reminded the House that the person first
elected had died, and the person elected
to fill the vacancy had presented his
credentials, so peculiar in form, hat the
CLERK preferred to submit the question
to the House.
la reference to the Louisiana delega-
ton the Clerk said be had received two
sets of certificates for the first four dis
tricts, both sets indicating the election
Of the same persons; that as to the Fifth
district he had received two certificates,
one signed by VIM Pitt Kellogg, show
ing the election Of Mr.. Morey, and the
other signed by John McEnery, showing
the election Of Mr.. Spencer, and that as
Kellogg was the de facto Governor, he the
Clerk, had acted on his certificate, and
had enrolled Morey. As to the Sixth
district be had only received one certif-
cate, signed by Kellogg, and he had
acted on that. The call concluded, the
Clerk announced that two hundred and
eighty-six members had answered their
names. The absentees are Dobbins Of
New Jersey, Egbert of Pennsylvania,
who had returned home this morning on
account Of death in his family. Mr..
Stevens of Georgia, and Oliver Of Iowa,
these, with two vacancies from the
Thirty-third district of New York and
the Fourth district of Illinois, make two
hundred and ninety-two members, OF
which the House is composed.
Mr.. Lamar moved that the House pre-
coed to the election of Speaker.
Agreed to.
Mt. LAMAR putin nomination for the
Office of Speaker of the House for the
Forty-fourth Congress Michael G. Kerr,
member elect from the State of Indiana.
Mr.. Wheeler, of New York; nomi.
nate for the same position James G..
Blaine, Of the State Of Maine.
The Clerk asked if there were any
other nominations, and there being no
response, be appointed as ~tellers Messrs.
Holman, Clymer, Danforth and Banks.
The House then voted, witk the following
result: Whole number of votes cast,
$50; necessary to a choice, al. Michael
c. Kerr received l73; James G. Blaine
received los, and Alphens S. Williams, of
Michigan, l, cast by Mr.. Banks, of Mas
sachusetts.
The Clerk appointed Randall and
Blaine to escort the Speaker elect to the
Chair. AS Mr.. Kerr was conducted
down the main aisle to the Speaker 8
chair there was considerable clapping of
hands on the democratic side of the
house, which was stilled as Mr.. Kerr be-
gan a short speech, promising complete
fairness and impsrtiality toward all.
The Senate was called to order
promptly at II o'clock by Hon. T. W.
Ferry, Of Michigan, President pro TEN
Rev. DR.. Sunderland, chaplain, offered
prayer, in which he invoked Divine
blessing on the President Of the Uaited
States, Congress and upon the whole
nation, and referred to deaths occurring
since last session.
Cooper, of Tennessee, presented. the
credentials Of. David NJ. Key, appointed
United States Senator in place Of Andrew
Johnson, deceased, andhe was sworn in.
The usual resolutions to notify the
House Of Representatives and Presiden
OF the United States that a quorum O.
the Senate has assembled and was re a.
for business we're adopted, and at lad
the Senate took a recess for half al,
hour.
On reassembling Mr.. Boutwell, az.
nounced the death of Vice-Preside I
Wilson and said that at an e.rly day
resolutions relating to his life, charaote,
and public services would be offered.
|. Mr.. Anthony said it was not probable
that 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 well ad.
journ.
He made a motion to that effect which
was agreed to, and at l2;40 the Senate
adjourned till tomorrow. d.
The President said this afternoon he
would not transmit bis message TO Con.
$40 -