The Van Buren press., 1877-10-23
Special Session of Congress Presidents
Message.
From the st. Louis Republican.

Inc ToflS-llllH cOHSicho aooeuiDico,
Monday, the 18th, at noon, in obedience
to the action Of the president, calling an
extra session. The senate met with the
usual hustle attending such events. The
oath Of Office was administered to Stan
ley Matthews, of Ohio, !. Donald Cam
eron, of Pennsylvania, and D. II. Arm
strong, of Missouri, new members.
Messrs. Morton and Sharon were absent.
The galleries and corridors wers crow
ded when Mr.. Adams, chief clerk of the
house, called that body to order, at II
o'clock, read the presidents proclama-
ton, and called the roll Of members, rs
made up BY him, beginning with Maine.
When Louisiana was reached, the clerk
announced that two sets OF credentials
had reached him--one from VIM. L. kel-
logg, and the other from Francis n. Mic
oils; also certificates relating to several
districts from John MeEnery. The GER
tifcates sent by Mcssrs. Nichols and
Kellogg connicted only as to the choice
of the people in two districts Mr.. Kel-
logg's certificates making no pretence of
compliance with the law Of Louisiana in
the manner of their origin and issue,
and those of Mr.. Nichols, governor OF
the state, being regular and unobjection-
able, the latter were adopted by the
clerk and the names of the persons
whose election was thus certified to,
were placed upon the roll
Missouri being reacned, the eierk s;tId
no certificate had been received from the
Third district A paper was handed to
him, addressed to the speaker. A sug--
gestion by Mr.. Adams that he should
open the paper, meeting with murmurs
OF dissent, he said he would leave the
matter for the determination OF the
house after its organization.
Two sets Of certificates were sent up
from Florida. Gov. Stearns certified to
the election of Purman and Bisbcc.
Gov. Drew afterwards certified that the
supreme court of the state had declared
the election of Purman illegal, and sec
ond canvass of the votes had shown that
A. NJ. Davidson had been elected from
the First district. The name Of the lat
ter had heretofore been placed on the
rolls.
As to the disputed case from Colorado
the clerk declined to pass, and said he
had placed neither name on the list. The
house, then, on motion OF Mr.. Wood OF
New York, proceeded to the election of
a speaker. Hon. Samuel J. Randall, of
Pennsylvania, was chosen, on the first
ballot, receiving l49 votes to 1872 for
James A. Garfield.
Other nominees of the democratic
caucus were duly elected. Upon being
conducted to the chair, Mr.. Randall
said
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF Rep
REsENTATIvEs Elevated, for the second
time, by your generosity, to the exalted
dignity of..speaker Of this house, ! thank
YOU with grateful heart. | shall en-
deavor, with even temper, but with rigid
frmness, to perform the duties OF the
Office, and respond adequately to the
confidence reposed in me, to conforming
nv action to the clearly expressed will
of the house. Yet, fully realizing the
delicacy and difficulty of the position, !
solicit your advice and assistance, feel
ing assured at the same time of your in
dulroncc and forbearqnce- " pentna'
ing that all considerations of class and
section or party shall be subordinate to
the loftier and more patriotic object OF
doing what is best for the whole country
and all its people. Since adjournment
an administration has been indicted into
office, which is obeyed as the actual gov
eminent, regardless of the grave events
which marked its birth, and this house
animated by spirit Of true patriotism
desiring first public tranquility Under
the law, will frankly approve of any
sincere permanent policy looking to 8
complete pacifcation by constitutional
methods, and to the consequent promo
ton of the general welfare but it SHOULD
be held our sacred duty to provide legis
lation which will render impossible {
repetition of the wrongs which have DC
cured, and of the damages which threat
: encd us. | assume that we will take ne
step backward in the work of retrench
ment and reform auspiciously begun by
the last house. Under matured ant
definite plan for a reduction Of the ex
penses of the government, it is certain
that still greater reduction can be mad
without impairing the efficiency of thu
administration. TO have an honest ad
ministration, it should be frugal. Never
before, was it more urgent than now
with the general financial distress, AM
with labor depressed with heavy bur
dens, to exercise the strictest economy
When tho iron rule of hard necesst,
darkens every household in the land
extravaganza on the part of the people
servants is an objectionable crime. Iii
partly on account of that WHOLESOME
| policy so faithfully carried out, | am per
) mitted, this day, to speak from this place
| invoking for our deliberations toleranc
f of opinion, which secures harmoniou
+ action, the right and clear judgmen
f which purifies legislation, and that mutu
al confidence and respect shall exist be
tween the house and Its presiding officer
, am COW ready to take the oath prescri
bed by law. [Clapping of hands on til,
, democratic side of the chamber.1
| After the oath of office was admin,
tered to the speaker, and by him to tn
members, the drawing Of seats tool
, place, after which the house adjourned.
=. PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
/, tits a brict and business-libe documen