The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-10-20
From Washington.
Congress

Met pursuant to the Presidents prociama
ton in extra session on Monday. There seems
to have been full attendance in both houses
on the first day In the Senate the only alb
sentecs were Morton, Mcmillan and Sharon
In the house all were present who were emit
tied to seats by Clerk Adams's roll.
SPEAKER.
The first interest conferred on the election oil
speaker of the house. The candidates in the
field on the democratic side were understood
to be Randall Morrison, Goodc Cox and Say
Ter Hayes had promised the chair to Gar
field, expecting by his policy" to win over
enough southern democratic votes to enable
him, with the republican vote, TO steal the
speaker. The plan, however, miserably failed,
not democrat showing the least sign OF bolt
| ing.
Randall was soon discovered to have the IN
side track in the democratic caucus but the
opposition to him might have been strong
enough for his defeat could they have united
Morrison was annoyed by the opposition OF
Sparks and Harrison, from his own state, ana
therefore withdrew in favor of GoOdc. But the
latter no more than Morrison could control the
entire vote of his own state. Cox seeing there
was no hope, also withdrew, and then, seeing
the opposition to Randall falling to pieces, a
large number went over to him to be on the
right side and he was nominated in caucus on
the first ballot, getting l07 votes to Goode "a
and Saylor H.
For other officers of the house, the old in
cumbents were generally reelected. t. f.
Goodell, of Chicago got 43 votes for postmas
ter to Stewart of Va, postmaster of the last
house, 70
PROCEEDINGS.
| The proceedings of the senate thus far have
been without special interest. On Monday
nothing was done but to swear in new mem
bers and appoint the usual committee to wait
on the president On Tuesday the presidents
message was read On Wednesday Mr.. Thur
man caused rifle by presenting the creden-
tias of Senator Spotiord. from La, and moving
that he be sworn In. The republicans seemed
taken by surprise and begged so earnestly for
delay that Thurman allowed his motion to 60
over.
On Thursday, however, the matter was again
brought up and coming to vote, the senate
refused to direct Mr.. Spoford to be sworn in,
1t was strict party vote-36 to 33-Davis vo-
ting with the democrats and Booth absent A
motion was then made to refer the case as
well as that of other senators to the election
committee with instructions to report by the
first of November, and this was lost by the
same vote. The case then went generally to
Mor,oI's committee on elections, where there
is no telling how long it will be allowed to
sleep.
In the house on Monday Randall was elect
ed speaker, receiving 179 votes to Garfield 1872.
All the other officers of the house were elected
in one batch, by putting the names of the eau
Gus nominees in resolution and adopting it.
On Tuesday the message was read, and Wednes-
day was spent in disposing of disputed seats,
Jail being settled except the membership from
Colorado. The house adjourned over from
Wednesday to Saturday, which means until
next Monday and the senate from Thursday to
Monlay.
w.. APPOINTMENTS.
AtDut 800 appointments were sent to the
senate for confirmation on Wednesday
ly pcstmasters - among them the only no
table one being that of Gen. Harlan,
of Ky, to fill the vacancy on the supreme
bench caused by the resignation of Judge Da-
Wis. The friends of Brstow make serious
|