The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-12-06
FORTY FOURTH CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
The Nations Law Makers Again
in Session.
BOTH BRANCHES FULLY
ORGANIZED.
Mr.. Randall Elected Speak
er ofthe House.
SENATE.

interest OF the public Ia the opening
proceedings of the Senate was not ~
great as that III the House, thong b
the galleries were well filled before
noon. Many Democratic Senators
were 10 their seats before the body
was called to order, but the Republl-
can Senators, being in caucus, did
not occupy their seats till a few min
utes before twelve. A change IN the
arrangement of desks 10 aecommo-
cate the new Senate from Colorado,
and to give Senator who occupied
seats under the galley more desira-
BILE ones, was made by placing three
desks upon either side of the fourth
or last platform. The seats on the
Republican side were assigned TO
Messrs. Blaine and Chsffee aud Tel
Ter. the new colored Senators. and
ON the Democratic side TO Mr.. Price,
the new Senator from West Virginia,
Mr.. Jones, of Florida, and MIR. Ran
dolph, of New Jersey.
When the Senate was called 10 or
der the new members were sworn IN,
and the two from Colorado drew for
their respective terms. Mr. Chafiee
secured the long term. ending March
4, 1879, and Mr.. Teller the short
term, ending 1877.
READY FOR BUSINESS.
Committees were apo nted 10 no
tifv the Pr esident and House thai
the Senate was ready for business
aud a recess was taken till one O'Clock
HOUSE.
The opening of the session OF the
House vas Witnessed by al immense
concourse Of spectators. There were
very few members absent. The
Speakers chair was draped IN mourn
ing in respect 10 the meGory Ut the
late Speaker Kerr. There beiag,
therefore, no presiding officer, the
House was called 10 order at loon by
Clerk Adams, who thereupon called
the roll Of members.
The call showed 249 members pres
cut, the whole number on the roll be
ing PSI. As oon as the call was
finished Mr.. Holman rose TO offer d
resolution for the election Of a Speak
er, but Mr.. Banks iuterposed as a
question of superior privilege the
right of the member elect from Colo
RADIO to have his name placed on the
roll, so that he might participate in
the election of a Speaker, aud SEM
up the credentials Of ~ Colorado
member.
Discussion ensued On the question
of precedence, Mr.. Holmsa aud other
Democrats %cOntendlng mat the or
g~aniZation of the House was necessa-
rily The first business IN order, while
Mr.. Banks and other Republicans
%contended that all members have a
right 10 participate 10 the election.
Mr.. Frye claimed the same right
for his colleague elected in place Of
Mr.. blaine.
Finally the Clerk decided that The
resolution offered by Mr.. Holman
took precedence.
From that decision at appeal was
taken by Mr.. Banks, wbIcn appeal
Mr.. Cox moved to lay ON the table.
Agreed to-yeas I65, nays 81
Mr.. llolman's resolution then came
up for actiop, and it vas adopted
without opposition. Ii was as fol
lows:
The House being informed that
since It's last adjournment NJ. e. Kerr,
who at the commencement OF the
present Congress was elected Speak
er of the House, had departed this
life, creating a vacancy In the ctice OF
Speaker, it is therefore ordered that
The House do now proceed to the
election of a Speaker Utc r0ce.
Samuel j. Randall was nominated
by Mr.. Cox, and James A.G4rield by
Mr.. McCrarv. Messrs. Cly mer,
Banning, Banks Mass and Wilson
lIowa) were appointed t%tliers. The
vote resulted as follows.
Whole number of votes cast, 246;
NJ eessary to u choice. 1874; Samuel
j. Randall received lei; james \
Garfield, 81;
" The announcement of the result
was greeted with applause III the
galleries. Nessrs. Cox aud McCra-
ry conducted spenker Randall 70 bis
chair, when be read bis speech from
manuscript.