The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-12-06
CONGRESS-.
immense Crowds. at the Opening
of the House.
Adm issiOn of the Colorado Mem
Der Under Discussion.
Saml. J. Randall Elected Speaker,
s,,s0ss

WAsIINGToN, Dec, f.-The interest OF
the pubic in the opening proceedings of
tlle senate was not SO great as that ia !he
holse, though the galleries were We'll ILL.,
cd before noon
Many Democratic senators were in their
seats before that body was called to or
der, but the Republican senators being
! in caucus did not occupy their seats tlll
| a few minutes before twelve.
"A change in the arrangement Of desks
TO accommodate the new senators from
Colorado, and To give senator's who oc-
cupied seats under 'the gallery more de-
sirable ones was made by placing three
desks upon either side OF the fourth or
last platform. The seats on the Repub-
| lican side were assigned 10 Blaine, and
ChafIee and Teller the new Colorado
| senators, and on the Democratic side to
Price, new senator from West Virginia,
Jones OF LOU >iana; and Randolph OF
New Jersey.
When the senate was called 10 order
the new members were sworn in and the
two from Colorado drew tor their rcsDcc-
tive terms. Mr., thaiiee secured the long
! term, ending March /. 1879, and Mr.. Tel
| Ter the short term, ending March /, 1877.
Committees were appointed to notify
the president aud house that the senate
was ready for business, and recess taken
I'LL ! O'Clock. ..
AFTERNOON SESSION.
When the senate rcasSembled Mr.. Ed
munds submitted resolution nstrucIing
the committee on privileges and elections
! be appointed to inquire whether in the
! recent election in South Carolina, Loulsi-
! ana and Florida the right OF any citizen
| 10 vote has been denied or abridged, aud
| also as 10 the eligibility of electors. which
was read, ordered printed. and lie OF, the
| table.
| Mr.. ingalls, submitted a Joint rcsolu-
ton recommending that convention be
held at Columbus, Ohio, in May next, 10
revise and amend the constitution of the
| United States. Ordered printed and lie
| on the table.
The senate then adjourned till tO-mor-
row at noon, the hour agreed upon for
meeting daily until otherwise ordered.
House. ..
| WAsHNGroN, Dec. THE opening of
| the session OF the house was Witnessed
| by an immense cOncOurse of spectators
There were very few members absent
The speakers chair was draped in
! mourning in respect To the mcmcry OF
the late Speaker Kerr.
There being, therefore, no presiding
| oiiicer, the house Was called To order at
noon by Clerk Adams, who lhereupon
called the roll OF members.
A cali showed 2ij members present,
the whole number on the roll belng 2sS
As soon rs the call was finished Mr.
| Holman rose To offer a resolution for the
election OF speaker, but Mr. Banks inter
posed as question of superior privilege,
the right Of the member elect from Col
orado to have his name placed on the
roll so he might participate in the cleo
ton of speaker, and sent up the credcn-
tials OF the Colorado member.
| IA discussion ensued on the question Of
precedence, Holman and other Demo
Gratis contending that the organization OF
the house was necessarily the first busi-
mess in order, while Banks and other
Republicans commended all the members
had right TO participate in the election.
Mr.. Frye claimed the same right for
his colleague, elected in place Of MIR.
Blaine, Dir. Fellaly. ~
| The clerk decided that the resolution
offered by Mr.. 4lolman took precednce.
From that decision al appeal was