Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-03-25
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.


J. G. s. Blackburn 81. votes, on the first
ballot. Necessary to a .choice, IL. MIR.
Randall, therefore, became the caucus nomi>
nee. A ballot wa. then taken for the clerk
ship, resulting as follows: George NJ. ADJ
ans, of Kentucky, (the present incumbenD
76; OK Congressman Caldwell, of Alabama,
64. Messrs. John-G Thompson, of Ohio,
Charles. ". Field, of Georgia. and James NJ.
Ste wart, of Virginia, the.present incumbents,
were then nominated by reclamation for SER
gsant. alarms, door keeper and postmaster,
respectively. DR.. Harrison, of the Mt Yer
for chaplain.
Mr.. Blackburn when the result of ballot
ting for Speaker was made known to him,
went into the hall, and with view to max ing
the nomination unanimous, addressed the
chair as follows:
MIR. Chairman: tits not in my power to ex-
press to. the gentlemen who supported me in
this Contest those sentiments of appreciation In
friendship. l will in candor say that had
hoped that it might be the pleasure of this
dutis, 20 its mon oUe from tSs sec
tion and the people with whom l am identified,
for felt assured that had tn is been its action,
the result would have proved to the people of
this country that the South deserved not it's
Inistrust. but might safely be charged with the
formation of the committees and the shaping of
the legislation of the land. Had been selected
for this service 1t would have been my duty-it
WELD theiereat powers that pertain to this sta
ton in such . way rs to put all sections and
factions behind me and promote the general in
forests of common country, i'll which it's citi-
gems should hold equal rights. and to which
each citizsnishould render common allegiance
fNradt toe I,Nua
erous friends from the North who have stood
by me in this contest that their confidence was
not misplaced, for would earnestly have en-
deavored to bury tho melancholy memories of
o troubled past in those trenches wherein the
who gave their lives to its:strugges are to-day
resting. 1 am a party mani am partisan
not for tie sake of party, but because honestly
and earnestly believe the best interests of my
country are to be subserved by tho triumph of
my party's principles. l have but this to saw:
the edict of this caucus is to be nal and conclu
siye, and if there be one among the ifty-seven
gentlemen whose partial friendship has given
me their votes that hesitates or doubts. to him
Inow appeal to make the verdict of this caucus
effective when tomorrow roll is called. /
man from Pennsy lvania Mr. Randall. FOR the
spsakership of the House of Representatives OF
the Forty-sixth Congress, be made unanimous"
The Forty-sixsh Congress met on Tuesday
al noon in extra session ct the call of the
President. Both houses were promptly or
ganized, and, without transacting any busi>
ness of particular importance beyond the
usual routine, adjourned until Wednesday.
The House of Representatives elected Samuel
j. Randall, Speaker, (this being the third
time that he has held the postion,) he re-
ceiving a clear majority of the whole House
that is, 144 out of 2S7 members elect, Mr..
James A. Garfield was the republican nomi>
nee, Mr. Hendrick B. Wright was the green
back nominee, and Mr.. VIM. D. Kelley, of
Philadelphia, received ono vote. On the
first announcement oOthe vote only 143 votes
were shown for Mr.. Randall, and Mr.. Cons
ger, of Michigan, had just raised the qucs-
tion that that was less than majoriay of the
whole number of members elect, when Mr..
O'Reilley, of N. Y, Gone of the two alb
sentees,) arrived in the chamber, announced
his presence and cast his vote for Mr. Ran
dali, thus giving that gentleman the majors
ty of the whole number of members elect
The incident was the occasion of much app
plause. Messrs. Garfield and Black burn,
having been appointed for the purpose, then
conducted the Speaker to the chair. The
Speaker on taking the chair said
"Representativ es: by your vote am elevated
speaFer Of ' this Heuse For this evdenee Of
your approval and confidence offer you my
duties imposed npon are heavy and difficult.
With the blessing of God shall discharge
them Wtnont peFs1na bias OF EnEGle a.
measures. parties and sections. 1T Will be to me
Hnspea kable JOY if Lean help to bring about
that substantial fraternal union which comes
alone through wisdom, moderation and justice.
This new CONGRESS meets in its first sessIon
under the call of the President. Owing to ire
conciable differences upon vital issues impor-
tant and necessary appropriation bills failed to
pass a the previous session. Then the political
sentiment of the two houseE was antagonistlc.
1t IS now in complete order. This House, fresh
from the people, brings with it their latest WILL
We are here for such legislation as their neces-
stiles, velf3re and honor demand. That viii, as
expressed by the majority in calm aud decorous
eeptance. Moreover, the country expects of
this Congress that it viii wisely and deIlber-
too long weighed upon tho patriotism and pros
perlty of the people; and with the fervent hope
that the spirit as well as tho letter OF the con,
directing such legislation am now prepared to
take the oath of office"
The Democratic Senators held short eau
Gus Tuesday afternoon, at which tho report
of the committee appointed to arrange tho
Democratic personnel of the Senate commits
tees was received and ratified. The majority
membership Of the principal committees was
fixed as follows: Finance-Senators Bayard,
(chairman,) Wallace, Herman, Voorhees, and
Beck. Appropriations-Sena Davis, of
West Virginia, (chairman,) Withers, Beck,
Wallace and Eaton. Foreign Relations
Senators Eaton, (chairman,) johnson, Nor
gan, Hill and Pendleton. Commerce-Sena-
tors Gordon, Chairman, y Ransom, Randolph,
Hereford and Coke. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.