Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-19
FoRTY.sIxTH CONGRESS.
Extra Session.
wisHISGToS, March Is.
Senate.

| The yice-Presdent called the Senate 10 or
der at noon.
The Presidents proclamation was read and
members elect sworn in.
The iron clad oath was administered TO
those who were not. and the modified oath TO
those who were engaged in the rebellion.
On motion Of Mr.. Wallace, the credentials
of Mr. Bell of New Hampshire were laid over
| till tomorrow
Messrs. Bayard ard Anthony were appoint
ed committee to wait on the President, and
at half past twelve the Senate took q recess
till one.
On reasscmbling, Mr.. Whyte said from in
formation received the House would not or
ganize before or $50, and he moved the
Senate adjourn, which was carried.
| House.
The opening of the FIRST session of the for
ty-sxth Congress, was Witnessed in the House
| by an immense concourse of spectators.
All the members were early in attendance,
and for nearly an hour before noon pleasant
| greetings were interchanged.
| AT noon the House was called to order BY
Mr.. Adams. clerk, who read the proclamation
of the President converting Congress, and the
stated time designated having arrived, he
would call the roll, which as clerk OF the last
House he was required by law to prepare.
He thereupon proceeded to call the roll by
States, beginning with Maine.
Florida having boon reached, the clerk
called the name of Hull as representative
from the second district and explained Why
he had put on the roll the name of Hull rath-
er than that of Bisbee, the clerks explana-
| ton being in substance that the certificate of
Mr. Hull was the only one signed by the Gov
| ernor.
Iowa having been reached, the clerk ex-
| planned why he placed on the roll the names
of members whose names appeared thereon.
They had presented certificates duly signed
by the Governor, and the question whether
the election had OF had not been held on the
day fixed by law, was one which the clerk did
not feel called upon to decide, but which the
House itself when organized, could deter
mine
| The roll showed the presence of 2S5 menu
bers, only two (O'Reilly and James Of n. Y.)
being absent.
Mcssrs. Randall, Garfield and Wright of
Pennsylvania, were then nominated for
Speaker. The following was the result f
the first ballot
Randall, l43
Garfield, l25
Wright, Is
Kelly of Pa,
Necessary to elect, AZ
Randall having ma ority was declared du-
~ elected.
ORcilly came in just in season to vote,
making the ballot for Randall IA.
The Speaker, on taking the chair, thus ad-
dressed the House;
Representatives BY your vote, am ell
evated, for the third time to the exalted o.
flee of Speaker For this evidence of your
approval and confidence, offer you my
heartfelt thanks.
The responsibilities and duties imposed up
on me are heavy and difficult. With the
blessing of God shall discharge them with
ont personal bias or ignoble partnership; OF
serving strict impartiaity as to men, meas
ures, parties and sections 1t will be to me
unspeakable JOY if can help to bring abart
that substantial, fraternal union which comes
alone through wisdom, moderation and jus
tee
This new Congress meets in its first session
under the call of the President. Owing TO
the irreconcilable difference upon vital IL
sues, important and necessary appropriate
bills failed to pass at the last session. Then
the political sentiment of the two Houses was
antagonistic. 1t is now in complete accord.
This House, fresh from the people, brings
with il their latest will We are here fer
for such legislation their necessities and
welfare demand. That will as expressed BY
the majority in calm and decorous form. let
us hope will but meet with universal accept
ance
Moreover, the country expects of this Con-
gress that it will wisely and deliberately leg
islate to remove the burdens that have too
long weighed upon the patriotism and pros
pcrity OF the people, and with fervent hoIe
that the spirit Ms well as letter of the Consti-
tuition shall be the controlling influence in d.
recting such legislation, l am now prepared
to take the oath of Office
The oath of Office was administered to Il Q
Speaker by Mr.. Kelly of Penn, the oldest
member in continuous service, after which
the oath was administered to members in
groups of States, when the members from
Delaware, Maryland Virginia, North and
South Carolina were called in one group, and
when the Speaker said he would first admin
lister the oath TO those who could take it in
the usual form (that is what is known rs the
Iron Clad Oath,") there were only five
members who advanced and took it. Among
the most conspicuous who took the modified
oath was Gen. Joseph +. Johnston Of Vir-
gnia.
Mr.. Frye objected to administering the
oath to Mr.. Hull of Florida, and that gentle
man was requested to stand aside for the
present.
subsequently Mr.. Harris of Va. offered a
resolution that Mr.. Hull be sworn in
! Mr.. Frye moved as substitute to the res
olution, rcciting that the credentials of Hull
had been annulled by the Supreme Court OF
! Florida, and that the State board of canvass
crs had declared and certified that Bisbee had
been duly elected, and that therefore Bisbee
is entitled to be sworn in on his prima face
| case.
BY arrangement the case was allowed to go
over till tomorrow, and the papers ordered
printed.
Mr.. Mcmahon asked to have read petit
ton signed by twenty three prominent citi-
zens of Cincinnati, against the right of Mr..
Butterworth and Mr.. Young of Ohio, to occu-
py seats.
Altar discussion the matter went over till
| tomorrow without action.
Mr. Clymer offered resolution for the
election of George NJ. Adams of Kentucky, as
clerk; John q. Thompson of Ohio, Sergeant.
alarms; Charles W. Field of Ga, Door
keeper; James NJ. Stewart of Va, Postmas-
ter; Rev. W. 7. Harrison ID. c., Chaplain,
the present incumbents.
Adopted and the officers were sworn
The members then retired to the rear of
I the do sls mil tho tra I'M for s.aats