Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-10-19
Proceedings Of Congress.

4 The Forty-ffth Congress met 10 special on
Monday, the attendance in both houses being
| full. In the Senate Vice President Wheeler
assumed the chair, and the proclamation OF
the President calling the extra session was
read, after which Hons. Stanley Mathews, OF
Ohio, J. Donald Cameron, Of Pa, and d. II.
Armstrong, of Mo-. we're sworn in as Senators.
Messrs Anthony and Bayard were appointed a
committee TO wait upon the President and in
form him that the Senate was in session and
ready TO receive any communication he might
choose to make.
In the House Mr.. Geo. NJ Adams, clerk of
the Forty-fourth Congress, called that body to
order according TO law and read the Presi-
dents proclamation. The roll was then called
and Mr.. Adams made an explanation Of the
reasons influencing him in awarding the con-
tested seats in Louisiana and Florida. In re-
gard to the member from Colorado Mr., Adams
said he declined TO put the name OF either
Belford, Republican, or Patterson, Democrat,
on the list-the former for the reason that he
was not elected on the day provided by law, and
the latter because he had presented only re-
turns, not credentials. Mr.. Hale, of Maine,
thereupoH offered resolution declaring that
the clerk Of the Forty-fourlh Congress had set
aside the certificate of Belford without war
rant of law, and directing that the name of
Patterson be stricken from the roll and that
of Belford inserted. Mr.. Cox made the point
that the clerk had exclusive control of the
roll till the House was organized and Mr..
Adams said the motion was TO strike out
name that was not there and insert name
that had been omitted
The point of order was sustained and Mr..
Hale appealed from the decision, which Mr.
Adams declined TO submit to the House, not
believing that under his oath he would be
justified in so doing. The House then pro-
ceeded to the election of a Speaker, when Hon.
Samuel J. Randall was chosen, receiving l49
votes against 1872 votes cast for Hon. James A.
Garfield, of Ohio, the Republican caucus
nominee. In assuming the chair Mr. Randall
delivered brief address, in which, after adj
verng to the circumstances attending the in
duction of the present national adminstra-
ton into power he expressed the opinion that
the House, animated by spirit of true
patriotism, should approve any sincere policy
looking TO complete pnciiication and the adj
vancement of all constitutional methods for
the general welfare. He urged the providing
Of legislation which will render impossible
repetition of the wrongs which have occurred
and Of the dangers which threaten. He also
alluded to the retreuchment nauguraied by
the last Congress, and assumed that this Con-
gress would take no steps backward in that
direction, which we may say does not appear
encouraging for the subsidy jobbers. After
the drawing for seats had been concluded the
House adjourned.
In the Senate on Tuesday bills were intro
duced by Mr.. Beck, of Kentucky, for the
removal of all disabilities aud for the repeal
of the ron-clad oath. memorial for the
removal Of the Capital to the Mississippi
Valley was received from the Missouri Legis-
lature, and also for national system Of levees
FOX the Mississippi river. The Presidents mes
sage was received and read and the recon-
enlations were referred to the Committe on
Appropriations.
In the House the contested cases Of Repre-
sentaives Rainey aud Cain, Of South Carolina,
were decided ia their favor after an argument,
aud they were sworn in. Darrell, of Louis
lana, was also sworn in. The case of Mr.
Elan, of Louisiana, was discussed without
reaching "a decision, when the Presidents
Message was received, and, after being read,
was referred TO the Committee Of the Whole
A Committee on Rules was ordered aud the
House adjourned
In the Senate on Wednesday the vacancies
in the standing committees were filled, and
Mr.. llamlin was made Chairman of the Com
miltee on Foreign Relations in place of Mr..
Morton, who retains his old place MS Chairman
of the Commiite on Privileges and Elections.
The change was made al the desire of Mr.. Nor
ton Mr.. McCreary introduced bill to repeal
the Bankrupt law. The Senate then went into
executive session, and subsequently adjourned
In the House j 3. Elan and w Robert
son, of Louisiana were sworn in as members,
after debate in each case The California
contested case was next considered, and the
seat given 10 Pacheco. The Colorado con-
tested case was debated, but without action,
aud the House adjourned till Saturday. with
the understanding that no business would be
done on that day.