Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-12-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 7, 1885
SENATE.

CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. Z, 1885.
SENATE.
The Senators were promptly on hand this
morning, and for half al hour before noon
gathered in friendly groups around the Sen
ate chamber, exchanging greetings and dis.
cussing the situation. The galleries of the
Senate havo not for many years been go
crowded on tho opening day of the session,
every seat being occupied, except the seats
in the diplomatic gallery. The walls of the
Senate chamber were draped in deep black,
out Of respect TO the memory Of the late
| Vice President.
The Senate was called to order at twelve
| neon.
| After prayer AIR. Edmuuds nominated
Senator Sherman for President Of the SEN
ate.
Mr.. voorhees, moved to substitute the
name CT Mr. Harris.
The yeas and nays were then ordered
upon Mr.. Voorhees, motion.
! Mr. Voorhees, amendment was lost by q
strict party vote, whereupon Mr. Sherman
was elected without further division.
Mr. Sherman and Mr. Harris both sb-
stained from voting
Committees were appointed TO notify the
President and the House of Representatives
OF the organization Of the Senate. Then,
upon motion Of Mr.. Eimunds, at 1925, the
Senate took recess OF half Oil hour TO
await the organization of the House.
Upon The request of Secretary McCook,
Mr. Sherman was escorted to the chair by
Mr. Edmunds and Mr.. voorhees,, and tho
oath of Office was administered to him by Mr..
Elmunds.
Mr.. Sherman than said: Senators, re-
turn you my grateful thanks for the high
honor you have conferred upon me. In
common with all the people Of the United
States, feel profound sorrow for the sud-
den death of the Vice-President, who, by
the constitution, is also declared TO BE the
president of the Senate. Tie contingency
has now arrived when it becomes the i'm
perative duty OF the Senate to elect presi-
dent pro tempore. In accepting the posi-.
ton assigned nae, feel that there are many
Senators OF 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 the sim
cere desire that l may be able to enforce
the rules with kindness aud impar!iality, so
as to ascertain, if possible, the sense of the
majority of the Senate, and to give TO the
minority its full constitutional right and pro-
lection. With the sincere desire of per.
forming this duty, appeal to each individ-
ual Senator for bis courtesy and forbear-
ance."
Dir. Cullom presented the credentials of
Mr.. Logan's re election as Senator from
Illinois; and Mr.. Pike presented those of
Mr.. Blair as Senator from New Hampshire.
The credentials were read and Mr.. Logan
and Mr.. Blair were at once sworn in by the
President pro tempore
Committees were appointed to inform the
House of Representatives and the President
Of the United States that the Senate had
chosen John Sherman to be President pro
tenn, the office of Vice. President having
become vacant by the death Of its late Pres
ident, after which recess until 240 o'clock |
was taken.
HOUSE.
The chamber presented pleasant scene,
the bright red carpet lending an air of
cheeriness and warmth to the hall which |
has been thoroughly renovated since last |
spring, while number of desks, including
the Speakers; were decorated with baskets
of flowers. The galleries, as is usual upon |
the opening day of session of Congress,
were crowded, with the exception of the
executive gallery, which was only partially |
filed The majority of the spectators were
ladies'
At precisely noon the House was called |
to order by j. B. Clark, its clerk, and the |
first session of the 49th Congress began.
When order was secured, the clerk pro-
ceeded to call the roll of members-elect.
When the State of Nebraska was reached,
the clerk stated that he was doubtful
whether the certificates received from that
State fully complied with the law, but as
they were identical with those received in
the 47th and 4Sth Congresses, and as there
was no protest or contest, he had placed the
names of the gentlemen, whose election was
thus certified, upon the rolls.