New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-16

difficulty found by those who were looking for him
from the galleries. Mr. Abram S. Hewitt. Of New
York, who. during his brief Congressional career,
has won the position Of leader in his party, was
the first VINO failed TO answer to his name. IL was
announced later IN the day. that he was detained III
Europe by the sickness of MS wife.
The galleries were filed chiefly with Washington
people and the families of Representatives. In the
diplomatic gallery on the west side of the hail. the
Presidents two Oldest sons, Webb and Burchard'
accompanied by some of the ladies of ms household,
occupied prominent seats. One or two of the for
egn ministers and several secretaries of legation
and Others entitled to seats in this gallery comfort
ably filed it.
The calling Of the roll and the election of Speaker
and of the minor officers of the House, with the
admlnisrat of the oath to the Speaker and to the
members, followed in their customary order, with
hardly an incident worthy Of note.
Speaker Randalls speech was listened to with
close attention. II was not great effort, hut 1t
seemed to contain something that pleased almost
everybody. While he had good word for the pacl-
cation policy lie did not leave that portion OF the
Democratic party which believes that the cry of
fraud is to be the winning crrd, without some com
fort, tor he recommended legislation which would
render impossible repetition Of /" the wrongs which
have occurred and of the dangers which threaten
u.s." On the whole the speech is not much criticised.
fhe organization of the House completed. the
drawing II seats Followed. Tie names Of Che mem
bers were placed upon separate slips in "A wooden
box, which was closed aud shaken by the Clerk. \
page blndfolled then drew the names from the box,
and as they were read the members whose names
were called selected seats All of the seats had pre-
viousy been cleared The drawing occupied about
an hour and half, and, as on former occasions, ex-
cited much amusement 1t has been the custom III
former Congresses t. give the member who has been
longest continuous service the seat OF hs choice
before the drawing begins. This year six rcprescn-
tatiyes were accorded this honor. They were Alex
ander II. Stephens. on account If his inilrlmtles;
Judge Kelley. of PENNSYLVANIA, because he has
served continuously longer than any other; eX-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Patterson, of New-York on
account of age; and Fernando Wood aud Samuel :.
Cox on account of long service, and Boo the case Of
the latter as a compliment TO soft his disappont-
mcnt because he was not elected S!o~A,L On mo-
ton of d Lorne, General Bmks, former Speaker
oi the House. was also permitted ID make a choice
I'm advance of the general drawing. J. often hap
pens hat persons of the least prominence in the
House secure thc best seats. To-day MI Caud.cr,
of Georgia, a Representative who has gained HIDE
Distinction had tn first choice while Eppa liuhton,
of Virginia, prominent member OF tie last j ldici-
any Committee was the last The who had
their choice before the drawing began,
sal, cted very eligible seats. Mr. Cox choose
that occupied by linn some years ago.
Fernando Wood retained the seat he las held for ten
years, and judge Kelley the place he b occupied
for several Congresses. General Banks took a sen.
near the one hc had last year Alexander II. Ste
phcns occupied his old -clt, auc Mr. Patterson came
Co the front near General Banks.
The representative having the second choice was
Mr.. >tarin, of Now York. Mr. Garfield was more
fortunate thau Last year, and had tie ia choice.
He took a seat near Judsa Kelley, ANA WIS inned-
a.r'y followed by Arson McCooa. Of New York. The
New England members, with few exceptions sa-
cured very good seats. A,r NlrcrOs- took a seat near
General Banks, Nj. Cah.n one in thu same Immediate
locality and Mr. j ones, the New Hampshire brewer,
0uc across the aisle from Tereuce Qdla, OBJ" Albany
brewer. Mr.. Rice secured place near N0rcross, Mr..
Fry one next 10 judge Kcll =. General Butler OBJ
tned seat in TIE front row. near tHe OHe hc occu-
pied in the XLliId. C,r,rss. Il. w. Harris Wa,
called late and took seat iii the rear, as
did Mr. Blair Of New hampshire, and Mes,r,.
Grape and Hale and Dr.. Loting Tie latter
WAS near tie end of the list. and came near having
10 take ll1bsou'- choice, but finally secured a sea-
besd, Mr.. Hale. Of Name, and Mr.. Townsend of
New-YorlI Mr. Blackburn TOOK a seat near :. $.
Cox MIR Morrison oIc next 10 his oil one Mr
Whitthornr go Ls oil seat. Jacob ID. Cox found
seat near Mr.. Garfield and Mr. Willis one near Mr..
Wood.
There WIS some amusement when the seat belong
ing to the State of Colorado was drawn.
Although the name Of 40 member Is
placed on the roll from that State, it
wa, agreed 10y the House that when drawn the Clerk
should scce a seat for whoever may he placed on
the roll. When 10 was drawn Cler, Adams was ~ Il
GOOD deal of quaud1ry, and was b's 'ged by crlcs
from both thc Republican ard Democratic sides ot
tIe House calling 40 MIN. FINAL, as II stricken
tide by conscience, he selected OnoOi Tie let 5edts
ON the RcpublIrau side.
Tlre. of the I.,uI, ana members were objected to
and not N owed to be sworn IA cod y. MI Darrall,
"A X, publ can member 10 whom objection was made
ON tlc Democratic SIDE holds two certificates, one
sI,,.Ird Inv Governor Kellogg, aud The other by Gov
cruor Nichols He elected, according 10 the lc-
turus ol both parties, and Clerk Adams, recognizing
Nichoss certificate put ann on the roll last SprhG
and he has drawn ms pay ever since. hDnul week
AGO W. lie Govern NlclOfs was absent from the
city lIeutenant-,OyernOr WITT, an mp acao!e
UoTrbou Issued a ccrtiiratc 10 Mr.. DirldlIs d
f.ated competitor Mr.. Arkland, based upon
e,me court proceedings. Tns document reached
Washington yesterday, and some 81 the Louisiana
Democrat, tried to make the Clerk strike OIL Oar
r y name and put Ackiands on, on the strtnSth 81
If He refused to he gully OF n act oi such gross
and unjusIiiaDle partlsatsilip Messrs Lam ana
HnLerts IN Democrats from the " aud NIth Dis
tricts respectivcly put on the roll lately o. the
nrcseuat on of GER, ate, signed by GovernOr Nlcl-
ais Messrs Smith and Nash hOld kellogg cefth-
cates and their pTima facle right was recognized a.
,,nnd last SpTlug by their competitors, WHO served
tnrr, with notices 81 contests .nd took testimony.
OF course they will not he aduhtted by the Demo-
cratIc majority and Mr. Darra will be- fortunate II,
with his clear case, he Is allowed 10 come H.
CAUCUSES.
TIE HOUSE MISUNDERSTANDING DEMOCRATS
10y rELEGEArn TO Tue TRIBUNE
WAsuIXGtoN oct. 15.-1he Republicans OF the
u of REPRESENTATIVES held their first caucus this