The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS-.
Senate Sessions.


FIRST DAY.-The Senate of the Forty
ninth Congress was called TO order promptly
at noon on the It'll by General McCook, the
secretary. The walls Of the Senate chamber
we8 draped in deep black, out of respect to
the memory of the late Vice. President. After
prayer by the chaplain, Mr.. Edmunds nomi.
mated Senator Sherman for president
of the Senate. Mr.. VOORHEES, mored to sub.
stitute the name of Mr.. Harris. Mr.. Voorhees,
whereupor Mr.. Sherman was elected without
further division. Mr.. Sherman was escorted
to the chair 10y Mr.. Edmunds and Mr.. Voor.
bees, and the oath of office was administered
to him by Mr.. Edmunds. Mr.. Sherman then
said: 'Senators: l return you M grateful
thanks for the high honor you have conferred
upon me. In common with all the people of the
United States l feel profound sorrow for the
sudden death of the Fice-President, who by
the Constitution is also declared to be presl-
dent Of the Senate. The contingency has
now arrived when it becomes the lmrer
ative duty of the Senate to elect a
president pro tempore. l feel that there
are many Senators on either side of the House
more apt in the discharge of the duties of
this position, more experienced in the rules
and orders of the Senate than myself. Still
I accept, with tho sincere desire that l may
be able to enforce the rules with Kindness
and impartiality, SO as to ascertain II posi-
BILE the sense of the majority of the Senate,
and to give to the tv its full constltu-
tional right and protection. With the sincere
desire of performing this duty l appeal 70
each Individual Senator for lis con- tesy ana
forbearance. go. Committees were appointed
to notify the President and the House Oh
Representatives OF tie organization. men
the credentials of Mcssrs. Logan, OF ILLINOIS,
and Blair, OF New Halnp hire, were pre-
sented, ami they were sworn in ~ the presl-
dent pro TEN. go. 1t was oruerel that the sec
rotary inform the President AMI tho House
of Representative; that the Senate had
chosen John Sherman to be- its president pro
tenn, the office of Vice-President having be-
come vacant by the death of tie late Ice
President....A rcces; was taken to 2:4o P.
~, when tie Scna.e was Informed that the
House had organized. ...Mr. Voorhees, offered
resolutions Of sorrow ut the death OF VICE
President Hendricks. and then the Senate,
out of respect to his memory, adjourned;
SECOND DAY.-A Ter the reading of the Pres
ident's message the annual report OF tho Sec
rotary Of the'trcasury and a memorial from
the legislature of New Hampshire, re-
questing Congress to pass legislation
that may secure exclusively to the
American peope the public lands Of the
United States, were received. IA large
number Of bills were then introduced, tne
most important Of which were tue Iol-
lowing: BY Mr.. Hoar, to provide for
the performance Of the duties of the office
of President in case of the removal, death,
resignation or inability both Of the lresl-
dent and Vice-Presi1ent; also to establish a
uniform system Of bankruptcy throughout
the United States. BY Mr.. Beck, a bill TO
remove all disabilities imposed by the four
teenth amendment Of the United States; also,
to authorize the payment of customs duties
in legal-tender notes. BY Mr.. ingalls,, to
remov the limitation IN tno
payment of arrears Of Co.. pensions ems fns.
nation and admission into the Union OF the
State of Idah,. By Mr.. Coke, to PROVIDE
for the allotment of lands in ssveralty to the
Indians on the various reservations and TO
extend the protection Of the law OF the
United States and Territories over the In
dams. BY MI. Dolph, providing
for the admission of Washington Terri
tory into the Union as a State. BY MI.
VOORHEES,, to annex a portion or the lerTi-
tory of Idaho 10 Washington Territory. by
Mr.. Wilson tla.), to grant pensions to SOL
diers and sailors of the Mexican wal
and the soldiers and sailors who served in
the United States army and navy DUR
ing the war of the rebellion. BY Mr.. Plumb.
to prevent the acquisition Of real property
by aliens By Mr.. Hawloy, to establish an
international copyright. By Mr.; Mitchell
PENN, a Mexican tension bill; also Tor Inc
retirement OF the trade dollar. The greater
number of these bills are identical with bills
of like title introduced in the last Congress.
Mr. Cameron offered a resolution declaring
it inexpedient to pass upon any legislation IN
this Congress looking to a reduction OF tarlff
duties. Referred to committee on finance.
"Sbrou led in the mystery OF the solemn
event we stand in thought with love
and sorrow by q grave
I;na- 1r,ci5aDt-nroNjn
Thee to help US to lay to heart the lesson
of his life; that sobriety, courtesy, honor,
moonan;mity, coupled with unfllnchlng
courage and fidelity to conviction, with viz
tue and religion, are true success. Hep US
likewise to lay TO heart tn. lesson OF his Ines
end that there is but a step betwixt us and
DEATH; that when our last hour shall come
we, too, shall depart in peace, having a good
conscience toward God and man. reading
of the message was listened to....The death
of Reuben Ellwood, late Representative from
Illinois, was announced, and as a mark of
respect to memory Of the deceased, the House
adjourned.
House Sessions.
FIRST DAY.-Promptiy 1T noon the clerk
Of the Forty-eighth Congress called the House
of the Forty-ninth Congress to order, and
commenced the reading of the long roll OF
the new members. There were 800 members
present and five absentees. Nominations for
Speaker were then in order, and Mr. Tucker
presented John e.. Carlisle, of Kentucky.
Mr.. Cannon placed Thomas r. Reed, of
Maine, in nomination. Messrs. Morrison,
Tucker, Hiscock, and Brown were appointed
tellers to count the vote, and the result was
announced as follows: For Carlisle, IL; for
Reed, 1873. The clerk declared Mr.. Carlisle
Gle ,ted, and appointed Messrs. Tucker and
Reed as a committee to conduct the Speaker
to the chair. Mr.. Carlisle made a speech of
thanks, and the oath was then administered
to him by Mr.. Kelley, of Pennsylvania.
Officers of the House were chosen, those can
didates selected by the Democratic caucus
being elected . The clerk was directed to
inform the Senate that the House had or
ganized, and during his absence the men,
bers drew for seats. MI. Holman pre-
sented a motion to adjourn out of respect to
the memory of Vice.President Hendricks,
and it was carried.
SECOND DAY.-The session Of the House
was opened with prayer by its new chaplain,
Rev. Dr.. w. H. Milburn. Referring to the
death of Thomas A. Hendricks he said:
MUSICAL AND