The National tribune., 1885-12-10
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks Doings at the Ma
tional Capital
OPENING OF THE 49rH CONGRESS.

ties held their caucuses to select candidates for
the various offices. The Republicans have
good working majority in the Senate aud the
Democrats in the House, so that nominations
in each case were equivalent to an election. The
minority always presents as its candidates,
however, men whom it delights TO honor.
The Republican Senators selected Hon. John
Sherman, ofOhio, for President pro tempore of the
Senate He received the unanimous vote In
accepting the honor Mr.. Sherman said:
Senators. return TO you my hearty thanks for
the high honor you propose to confer Hpon me.
Your choice no doubt has been influenced by the
Still my duties hithero have not given me the pre-
teal experience necessary for good presiding OIL
Ger. can only say in accepting the position as
signed me that will do all can fairly and impair
tally observe and enforce the rules of the SEN
ate. and shall rely greatly upon your forDearance
and courtesy.
There were no other officers to be nominated
for the Senate, as the Secretary, Sergeant-at-
Arms etc, hold their positions continuously
until removed for cause or III consequence of a
change brought about by the whirligig of poll
tics.
The Democratic Senators chose as their can
didate Hon. Isham G.. Harris, of Tennessee.
In the Democratic House caucus Hon. John
G. Carlisle, of Kentucky, was renominated for
Speaker. There was no opposition, and he was
chosen by acelamation. MIR. Carlisle made a
brief speech, in which he said:
1t is scarcely necessary for me to say how highly
1appreoiate the com plment ycu have Just paid me,
or how much l thank you for it. A unanimous
nomination for the office of Speaker of the House
of Representatives by so large body of Represent
atiye Democrats from all parts OF the country IL an
honor which do not pretend 10 deserve on account
of my services III the past but which shall ear
nestly endeayor to show my appreciation of by a
faithful performance of official duties in the future.
Leedom, of Ohio, for Sergeant-at-Arms; :;
Clark, of Missouri, for Clerk, and Dalton, of
Indiana, for Postmaster. were erenominated, they
having held these positions IN the last Con-
gress. For Doorkeeper, Samuel Donelson, of
Tennessee. was nominated. Wintersmith of
Texas held this Office in the last House. He
died during the recess. The name of John B.
Trainor, of New York, was entered against
Donelson but was withdrawn after it was seen
that he had I" no show" Gen. Colt, OF Connecti-
cut, and Comrade Reader, of Pennsylvania,
both badly-crippled veterans, and the latter
having but one arm, were candidates for this
position, but did not receive enough encourage
ment to justify the presentation of their names
to the caucus
The only real contest was over the Chaplain.
1t may be regarded hopeful sign that the
Congressman manifested so much earnestness
and anxiety in selecting the best talent possible
to pray for them daily and look after their
spiritual interests. They appeared to fully
realize their lost and ruined condition. The
candidates were Rev. J. s. Lindsey-the Chap
lain of the last House-and Rev. J. L. Lodge
of Washington, and Rev. w. III. Milburn, the
celebrated " Blind Preacher" of Chicago. Af-
ter an animated contest Mr. Milburn was
nominated.
The Republicans of the House nominated for
Speaker Thomas y. Reed, of Maine, who re-
ceived 63 votes to A for Frank Hiscock of
New York. Other candidates were chosen, as
follows: Clerk, Col w. O. Crosbie, of Iowa
Sergeant-at-Arms Capt. Albert o. Marsh, of
Indiana; Doorkeeper, Col Joseph Seldeu, of
Connecticut; Postmaster, A. w. Adams. of
Maryland; Chaplain, Rev. DIR. T. l.. Britt Of
Nebraska.
All the caucuses of both parties declared in
favor of immediate action by Congress TO de-
termine the vexed question of the Presidential
and Vice Presidential succession. The general
sentiment fayors the bill introduced in the
4Sth Congress by Senator Hoar, of Massachu-
setts. 1t conters the succession to the PreSi-
dency, in ease of vacancy in the Offices of Presi-
dent and Vice President. upon the Secretary of
State, or if that Office is vacant, then upon the
Secretary of the Treasury the succession pass
ing 70 the other members of the Cabinet in
turn. The electoral count bin, also to be intro
duced by order OF the Republican caucus, is that
known as the Edmnnds bill. of the last Con-
gress. lis most important feature is provs-
ion that each State may, by its own tribunals
determine all controversies with regard to its
own electoral vote.
Congress convened at noon on Monday. Long
before the hour for the opening multitude of
people thronged the galleries and jammed the
doorways of both Senate and House, while the
tide of those who could not get in at all ebbed
and flowed through the lobbes and long cor
ridors. Upon the desks of many of the MEN,
bers were beautiful floral tributes. Precisely
at l2 O'Clock the gavel fell in both of the great
assembly halls. In the Senate the chair lately
occupied by Mr.. Hendricks and the walls of
the chamber were heavily draped in mourn
ing, and feeling of soiemnity seemed
to peryade the entire as5emblage. The proceed
ings were very brief After the opening prayer
Senator Sherman was elected President pro
temp0,e After the oath was administered to
Senators Logan, of Illinois. and Blair, of New
Hampshire. and few minor items of business,
resolutions were adopted commemorative of the
late fice-Presldent, and the Senate then ad-
journed till Tuesday, as mark of respect to
his memory.
In the House Mr.. Carlisle was elected Speaker,
and, amidst great applause, in which the Re-
publican members heartily Joined, was escorted
to the chair which he filled so acceptably DUR
ing the last Congress. The cath of Office was
administered to him by the venerable Judge
Kelley, of Pennsylvania. The members We're
then sworn by the Speaker, after which the
subordinate officers were elected, in accordance
with the nominations of the Democratic eau
Gus.
1t was then decided TO proceed with the
drawing for seats, the usual custom being TO
defer this TIL the second day. Mr. Bennett of
North Carolina, started of with ungraceful
act. When the drawing for seats was ordered,
Mr.. Mills, Democrat, of Texas. arose and asked
unanimous consent that Judge Kelley, Father
of the House." be permitted 10 choose his seat.
This courtesy has been extended to him for
several years, by reason of his age and infrmi-
ties, as well as to Others for similar reasons.
Mr.. Bennett objected, amidst many signs of
disapproyal from both sides of the House.
Mr.. Reed, Of Maine, said that Mr.. Kelley
would be allowed by his Republican colleagues
TO choose any seat he desired On their side of
the House regardless of the result Of the draw
ing, and was warmly applauded by the Repub-
licans. Mr.. Reed thereupoD suggested that MI.
Kelley leave his hat upon his desk, and assured
him that his wish would be respected. The hat
was respected, and although Judge Kelley S
name was one of the last drawn he secured his
old seat, by the center aisle, four or five rows
from tie front
This completed the organization, and the
House thereupon adjourned till Tuesday, for the
same reason that induced similar action on the
part Of the Senate. The Presidents message was
not sent 10 the Capitol till Tuesday.
NEW CHIEFS OF DIVISION.
Mr.. A. A. Aspinwall, of Titusville, Pa, the
newly-appointed Chief of the Western Division
of the Pension Bureau, enlisted in April, 1861
at the age of 10 years, in the 33d n. Y, and
served until il WAS mustered cut of the service.
Since the war Mr. Aspinwall has held the re-
sponsble position of Secretary and manager OF
the Gibbs & Sterrit Manufacturing Company,
af TiF1ISviile mud briu1S IN his ppw ,oSifinn