National Republican., 1886-08-01
THE CoNvENINa OF THE FIRST
CONGRESS.

their appearance; hence there was not
quorum of either house. Soon after, the
Senators present issued pressing circular to
their absent colleagues, then a second crcu-
lar ut the end of the week; but nearly q
month had expired before either house could
muster u quorum.
At this time there was great negligence
and delay in all that related to Federal ai-
fairs. Public Convcyanccs. too, We're rare
almost unknown. Most of the members
were Obliged to make their way to New York
slOwly-On horseback or by sea. The roads
were also bad, and especially the river fords
often impossible by floods. Moreover, some
OF the Representatives were not yet chosen.
On March 30th quorum of the House
thirty esentativcs-appcarcd and pro-
Cccded to organize themselves; on the Mon
day following, April 9th, the Senate obtained
n quorum.
ELECTION AND INAUGURATION OF THE PREs1-
DENT.
Washington had just been elected Prcsi-
dent of the United States and John Adams
NicC-President. The Inauguration of the
President took place on the balcony of the
Federal Hail. April 30h, in the presence of
u most enthusiastic multitude.
THE ELECTION or THE oEFIcERs or THE UNITED
STATES SENATE.
Committees in the Senate were chosen by
ballot but continued so only for the session.
when the appointment of all committees
was given to the Speaker, except those other
wise specially ordered
Some difference arose us TO the method of
communicating bills from one house To the
other. The Senate proposed To send theirs
by their secretary, and that bills from the
House be brought up by two members of
that body, to be received by the Senators
standing.
The House refused to consent to any such
distinction, and the Senate finally agreed to
receive bills by whatever messengers the
House might appoint
The Senate had n secretary, doorkeeper,
and u messenger.
Two chaplains were to be chosen, of diff
fcrcnt dcnominations-one by the Senate,
the other by the House, to interchange
weekly.
The Senate initiated the example of the
Continental Congress, transacting all its busi-
ness with closed doors.
A committee was appointed by the Senate
to confer with committee of the House as
to what titles, if any, it would be proper TO
annex to the Offices of President and Vice
President. This joint committee reported
that it would not be proper to make use of
any other styles or titles of Office than those
| Expressed in the Constitution" In the
|
lection, but it did not satisfy the Senate.
PROPOSITION FOR TITLE FOR THE PRESIDENT.
A new special committee, consisting of
| Richard Henry Lee, lizard, of South Caro-
! lima, and Dalton, of Massachusetts, reported
in favor of His Highness the President of
the United States and Protector of their
| Liberties"
Warm debate ensued it was declared to
verge on royalty.
A committee of conference was appointed.
They never reported.
The House, in fact, had already carried
their views into practice by addressing Wash
inygton!,, in reply to his speech, simply as
President of the United States" The SEN
ate, with reluctance and protest, saw fit TO
follow.
The first act presented to the President
for his signature was one to regulate the
administration of the oaths imposed by the
Constitution. The next important business
which engrossed the attention of Congress
was, in the Senate, the framing of It Judi
ciary act. The remainder of tie session was
occupied by discussions tn the tariff; on
slavery; organizing tie departments of the
Government; ON tie power of the President
tofenoye headg of departments; on the
ai,fts; on paGIgt lands; on the salary of the
President ana Other chief public officers,
Senators, and Representatives on Il perma-
nent seat of government and ON authority
to the President to appoint a day of public
thanksgiving and prayer.
THE REVENUE.
The revenue of the United States in 17S0-
'Ol, from all sources, was Sl,4O0,05l. We
now turn to the present revenue of the
United States and Territories, which in 1885
was the enormous sum of S323,69O1OU.
NUMBER OF STATES.
The number of Statcsin 1889 was thirteen.
These organized States We're: New llamp-
shire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Con-
nccticut New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia.
AREA AND SQUARE MILES.
Their area in square miles was 324,965.
PRESENT NUMBER or STATES AND TERRITORIES.
The present number of States, So; Terri
| tories, H..
The admitted States are: Kentucky, 1892;
| Vermont, 1901; Tennessee, 1886; Ohio, 1902;
| Louisiana, 1872; Indiana, 1916; Mississippi,
1917; Illinois, 1878; Alabama, 1919; Maine,
1920; Missouri, 1921 Arkansas, 1886; Michi-
gam 1887; Florida, 1915; Iowa, 1916; Texas,
1916; Wisconsin, 1913; California, 1850 !;
Minnesota, 1858; Oregon, 1885, Kansas,
| 1861; West Virginia, 1868; Nevada, 1864 |;
| Nebraska, 1867; Colorado, 1876.
Their area in square miles is l,7lO,695.
THE TERRITORIES.
are: New Mexico, 1850; Utah, 1850; Wash
ngton, 1858; Dakota, 1861 Arizona, 1868; ;
Idaho, 1868; Montana, 1864; Wyoming, 1868; ;
Indian, 1894; District Of Columbia, l790-'9l !;
Alaska, 1868.
Their area in square miles is 1,500,770.
TOTAL AREA OF STATES AND TERRITORIES
in square miles, $685. ,430.
THE POPULATION.
The population of the United States in
| 1890 was 302O,2l4.
TOTAL POPULATION IN 1880
was 80, l55,7S3.
NUMBER OF CITIES
in 1890 was six. Their total population was
| l3l,472.
NUMBER OF CITIES IN 1880
was 2SG, and their total population was H.
3lS,547.
THE FIRST SENATORS
in the First Congress, March 4, 1889, to
March 3, 1877, inclusive.
| FIRST CONGRESS.
March A. 1889, TO March 3, 1901. officers:
I