Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-04
WASHINGTON.
Opening Session or the House OF
nePresen tattves and Senate.

Opening Session OF the House or
Representatives and SENATE.
WASHINGTON, December 4,-HoUsE OF
REPREsESTATIvEs-The session was wit
messed by an immense concourse Of
spectators. There we're very faw mem
bers absent. The Speakers chair was
draped in mourning in respect to the
memory of late Speaker Kerr. There
being, therefore, no presiding officer the
House was called to order at noon by
clerk Adams, who theroupon called the
roll of members.
The call showed 249 members present,
the whole number on the roll being 226
AS sOon as the call was finished Mr.. Hol-
man rose to offer a resolution for the
election of a Speaker, but Mr.. Banks in
terposed as a question superior to this
privilege the right of the member elect
from Colorado to have his name placed
on the roll SO that he might participate
in the election of Speaker, and sent up
the credentials Of Colorado to the mem.
Der. A discussion ensued on a question
Of precedence, Mr.. Holman and other
Democrats %contending that the organiza-
ton of the House was necessarily the
first business in order, while Mr.. Banks
and other Republicans cOntended that
sill the members had a right to psrtici
pate in the election.
Mr.. Frye claimed the same right for
NJ. Collyne, elected in place of Mr..
Blaine.
Finally the clerk decided that the res
%olutiOn offered BY Mr.. Holman took pre-
cedence. From that decision an appeal
was taken by Mr.. Banks, which appeal
Mr.. Cox moved to lay on the table.
SENATE.-The interest of the public
in the opening proceedings of the Sem
ate was not so great as that in the House,
though the galleries were well filled be-
fore noon. Many Democratic Senators
we're in their seats before the body was
called to order, but the Republican Sen.
ators being in csucus did not occupy
their seats till a few minutes before II
o'clock.
A chsnge in the arrangements of desks
to accommodate the new Senators from
Colorado aud to give the Senators who
occupied seats under the gallery more
desirable ones, "a made by placing
three desks upon either side of the fourth
or last platform. The seats on the Re.
publican side we're assigned to Mr.. Blaine
and MeSsrJ. Chaffse and Teller, the new
Colorado Senators, and the Democratic
side to Mr.. Price, the new Senator from
West Virginia; Mr.. Jones, of Florida
and Mr.. Randolph, of New Jersey.
When the Senate was called to order
the new members were sworn in, aud the
two from Colorado drew for their respec
tive terms. Chaffee secured the long
term, ending March A. 1879, and Jellel
the short term, ending in 1877.
Committees we're appointed to notifl
the President and the House that tn,
Senate wa ready for business, and a re
t cess till | o'clock was taken.
The Republicans in caucus this morn
ing decided to vote for Representative
Garfield for Speaker. They also agrees
. to make such opposition to the adoption
of the contemplated Democratic resolu
!. ton for the appointment of a Spscia
8 Committee Of Investigation to the South
ern States as will delay action upon thu
resolution for four days. The Republi
q can Senators in caucus this morning in
terchanged views on the political situs
!. ton, but took no action.