The Van Buren press., 1875-12-14
HOUSE.
WAsnlNoToN, Dec. 6

| The opcaing of the Forty Fourth con.
gress was marked 10y the presence in and
around the capitol Of a larger crowd than
probably ever before watched a similar
proceeding Although wet and drearN
the weather seemed to have li,tle or no
eff CT in restIai ing the easerness OF the
! mnl ltade, which nave poured into the
clty ttr the past few days, and from an
eaflA hour the galleries Of the house Of
representative were packed as closely AS
possible, The ball itself, ali its approaches
aud every available space, became gradn
ally filed up until, as tae hour of noon
, spiE9sCae T., 1 WIS ai.a0 Il ni,,ossible Tor
ore to maze his way ia any direction
tWRehtAeA WetAeA44,lel, b lelg ,lsass q The maie!!y ofshen.
emo;nments which the changes Of the po-
lilical parties ia the house ffrrs
AT II - clock the House was called to
order by Mr. MrPnerson clerk OF the
House of the forty lhird Congress, and
the hall was cleared Of al not entitled to
It's privileges.
The attendance Of members was very
full, nearly every 5, At being occupied.
Cl rk Mcpherson then called the names
Of members By states, commencing with
Maine.
In regard to the representative from
the thirt, third district OF New York, the
clerk reminded the house that the person
first elected had died, aud the person elec
ted To ill the vaeancy had presented his
credentials go peculiar in form that he
preferred 10 submit the question 10 the
| house,
In reference to the Louisiana delega
ton the clerk said be had received two
sets Of certificates Tor the first four dis
tsiUts, both sets indicating the election
of the same persons AS to the fifth dis
signed by Wm. Pil Kellogg showing the
eielion uf Mr. Murey, and the other
signed by John McEaery showing the
election of Mr. Spencer. and that rs kel
logg was de facto governor he. the clerk,
had acted on his certificate and had en-
led Morey. As tn tie sixth district
he had only iece.ved one certificate, sign.
ed by Kellogg, and he had acted on that
The call being concluded, the clerk Al.
nounced that 2S6 members had answer,
ed to their names.
The absentees are, Dohbins. Of New
York, Egbert, of Pcnns, lvania, VIII" had
returned home this morning, On account
of death in his family; Stephens of Geor-
gia, and Oliver. of Iowa These, with
two vacancies, from the thirty third dis
trict of New York. aud the fourth dis
trict of Illinois, make 293 members ol
which the house is composed.
Mr.. Lamar moved that the house pro
coed to the election of speaker Agreed
TO.
Mr. Lamar put in nomination fol
the Office of speaker OF the house OF the
forty fourth congress, Michael {. Kerr
member elect from Indiana.
Mr. Wheeler, of New York; nomi
mate, for the same position, James G
Blaine Of the state of Maine.
The clerk asked il there were any other
nominations. and there being no response
he appointed Messrs Holman, CT, ,mer
Dan:crth and Banks. tellers.
The house then voted with the follow
| ing fesil;- whole namher of votes cast
/ $50, n cpS~ary to choice. l4l krfr re-
lived 113. Blaine received lb5 ; and AL
pheus 5. Williams. of Michigan, ] cas-
| bv Banks. of Massachusetts,.
The clerk appointed Messrs Randall
and Blaine to escort the speaker elect &c
the chair.
As Mr. Kerr WAS conducted down The
main aisle, to the speakers chair. there
was considerable clapting Of hands on
the democratic side OF the house.
The speaker. on taking his position
said " Gentlemen of the House of Rep
resantatives-i a.A heartily grateful tt
Won for the honor which you have con
ferred upon me in calling me to this eX
allied station. profoundly appreciat,
the Importance and delieaey OF it's dutie,
| shall. doubtless. many times, need YOU
patient indulgence. and pray that yoa wi!
grant it; and. with nothing bat kAdl,
feelings toward every member of thl'
house, promise, that, in all my oficla