Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-07
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
CONGRESS ASSEMBLIES AT NOON.
BOTH HOUSES ORGANIZE.
References to the Vice Presidents Death.
Opening Scenes in the Senate.

iiAoio"s questions asked and the character OF
comments by those who occupied the galleries
ana moved about in the corridors indicated
that no small proportion of the crowd was new
toWashington. The Senators dropped in slowly.
senator Butler was the first to enter the
chamDer, and soon afterwards Senator'S Harris
ana George made their appearance. The two
I;itter employed the time up to noon in writing
ietters. 1t was nearly II o'clock before the
moor or the chamber began to I'LL rapidly.
upon the desk of Senator Sabin there was
a large floral horseshoe with a star made of
flowers In the center. Friends sent to Senator
;Miller, OF California, who is detained at home
6y serious illness, basket OF flowers. Senator
NJ axey was also remembered with a handsome
paSkeC OF Mowers. and a mammoth horseshoe
was sent 10 Senator Conger. Senator Logan
eHttIeu at 11:3O and at once became the focus
OF all eyes.
GEN. LoGAN's SEAT.
senator Logan disappeared within the cloak
room, but emerged in a moment or two accom-
panied by Senator Henderson, the two with
their hands clasped. 1t was the graceful act OF
MI. Manderson that restored TO Gen. Logan his
old seat in the front row OF desks After the
expiration of Gen. Logans TERN Mr.. Henderson
erected Mr.. Henderson relinquished the seat to
Its former owner
Senator Sherman and Senator Harris, the
opposing nominees for president pro tempore
engaged In an apparently pleasant chat.
FLORAL TRIBUTES.
senator Blair was the recipient of floral tri-
butte from the Woman's Christian Temperance
union OF the District A card attached was
inscribed as follows:
"7he Nations Champion Of Prohibition and Edu-
cation, Hon. Henry ". Bttir, Greeting:
Against Strong Drink and Ignorance you stand
o,i he tno great foes of H ONE and Native Land
The battle is not wholly yours but ours;
Accept then our best wishes and these flowers"
Senator Voorhees, desk was literally covered
with Mowers, large horseshoe being the most
conspicuous Of the several designs. n large
basket of flowers surmounted by gilt vase
nIled with choice roses and birds was sent to
Mr sherman. Senators Culiunl. Cockrell and
Berry were remembered with baske Is of flowers
bouquet Of beautii ul buds <. raced Senator Ken
mas desk. The desk of his colleague Mr.. Cam
den, contained several floral tributes from
friends. In addition to his basket, Senator
MaXey received a large bank of flowers made
to resemble a writing table. Senators Mcmillan
and Sewell were not forgotten in the floral dis
The walls of the Senate chamber were draped
in deep black, out of respect TO the memory Of
the late Vice President.
THE OPENING PRAYER.
Promptly at noon General McCook, secretary
OF the Senate, called the body to order, and
prayer was offered by the chaplain, Rev. DIR.
Hunte He said, in part: "Be pleased, O. God,
70 continue your detenses around about the
President OF the United States; may he be
shielded from all danger; may he be proof
against all evil influences, and may he be
spared to administer the will of the people in
the fear of God. We grieve that since we last
the ranks OF men, and has recruited his grim
armies from among the chiefest OF our people
He has Knocked at the doors OF the House of
Representatives, and in recognition OF his I'M
welcome visit the flags upon the Capitol have
huttered downward, signaling the earth to open
and receive the nations dead"
MR.. SHERMAN ELECTED PRESIDENT PRO TEN
Mr.. Edmunds offered resolution declaring
Senator John Sherman the President pro tenn.
pore of the Senate.
Mr.. Voorhees, moved an amendment to strike
out the pane OF John Sherman and insert in
stead the name OF Senator Isham e. Harris
The amendment was voted down by a partv
vote-yeas, %; nays, 34-and Mr. Sherman was
without division DECLARED duiy eiec.,u Presi-
dent pro tenn pore. Mr.. Sherman rerliued from
voting and MIR. Harris was paired.
pom the request OF Secretary McCook Mr.
munus and Mr.. Voorhees,, and the oath of office
was administered to him by Mr.. Edmunds.
SENATOR sHERMANs REMARKS.
Dir. Sherman then said: 'SenatOrs-I return
you my grateful thanks tor the high honor you
have conferred upon me. In common with all
the people OF the United States feel profound
sorrow for the sudden death of the Vice Presi.
dent, who by the constitution is also declared
to be the president of the Senate. The contin-
gency has now arrived when it becomes the i'm.
perative duty OF the Senate to elect President
pro tempore In accepting the position assigned
me l feel that there are many Senators on ther
side OF the House more apt Of the discharge of
the duties OF this position, more experienced in
the rules and orders OF the Senate than myself
Still, accept, with the sincere desire that
may be able to enforce the rules with kindness
ana imiartlallty, SO as to ascertain, if possible
the sense of the majority OF the Senate and to
give to the minority its uil constitutional right
and protection. With the sincere desire Of per-
forming this duty appeal to each individual
Senator for his courtesy and lorDearance.'
MIR. CuliOm presented the credentials of Mr.
Logan's reelection Senator from Illinois and
Mr.. Pike presented those OF Mr. Blair AS Sena-
tor from New Hampshire. The credentials were
read and Mr. Logan and MIR. Blair were at once
sworn in by the President pro tempOre
Resolutions directing the secretary to inform
the House and the President Of the election of
Mr.: sherman as President pro- tempore and
nxing Inc n9ur OF daily meeting at IL O'Clock,
senators Edmunds and Harris were ap-
pointed committee to join with similar
committee OF the House in informing the
President that Congress is organized and ready
for business.
On motion Of Mr.; Edmunds, the Senate then,
at 12:25 p. NJ, while waiting information OF
the action of the House of Representatives. took
recess OF half an hour. On the expiration Of
heard from the House, the recess was extended
further half hour, and again from the expira-
ton Of that time until 2:4O IN.
Scenes On the House Side.
The chamber of the House presented q pleas
ant scene, the bright red carpet lending an air
OF cheeriness and warmth to the hail. which
has been thoroughly renovated since last
spring, while q number Of DESKS including the
flowers. Here and there groups Of members
stood chatting and laughing, political animosi-
ties being set to one side for the nonce while
! the new members took advantage of the occa-
sion to extend their acquaintance among their
older and more experienced colleagues Apart
chief topic of conversation was the proposed
change of rules. The galleries. as is usual upon
the opening day of q session Of Congress- were
crowded, with the exception of the executive
gallery, which was only partially filled. The
majority OF the spectators were ladies.
At precisely noon the House was called to
order by j. y. Clark, its clerk and the first ses
sion OF the Forty-ninth Congress began.
CALLING THE ROLL.
When order was secured the clerk proceeded
to call the roll of members-elect,
When the state Of Nebraska was reached the
clerk stated that he was doubtful whether the
certincates received from that state fully COM
pied with the law, but as they were Identical
with those received in the Forty-seventh and
forty-elghth Congresses and as there was no
protest or contest he had placed the names of
the gentlemen whose election was there certi-
ned upon the rolls.
While the rOll-call was In progress, q page
walkeo down the center aisle, bearing in his
arms huge floral design, representing O sec
tlon OF canal navigated by u canal boat laden
Win 0imnntiVe bags Of grain, the whole being
mscrlDed Hennepin." AS he placed It on the
oesk OF Mr. Murphy, OF Iowa, the especial
champion OF the Hennepin canal project, the
AOuse broke out into applause and laughter
caA q