Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-12-14
Fifty First Congress.
1t Is Opened Under Very Favor
able Auspices, and Per-
manently Organized.
The Senators and Representa-
tiVes From the New States
Take Their Seats.
All But One of the Republican
Caucus Nominees of the
House Elected.
Senate.

Little or no excitement attended the
opening Of the Fifty first congress on the
senate side OF the capitol. Public curios-
ity seemed to be largely transferred to the
house side. Several OF the foreign dele
gates to the maritime and Pan.American
conferences and number of ladies occu
pied seats in the diplomatic gallery. Sir
Julian Pauncefote, the British minister,
and Admiral Kazenhoff OF the Russian
navy, we're among those present. The
interest on the floor was devoted largely
to the senators from the new states. They
had had seats assigned them on the repub-
lican side of the chamber. Senator Casey,
of North Dakota, took his seat on the
end of the second row against the north
WALL directly behind MIN sat the Washing
ton senators, Allen and Squire, while
Pettig-ew and Moody, OF South Dakota,
were in the fourth row, near the center OF
the room. Senator Pierce, OF North Da-
kota, has the end seat in the fourth row.
On the democratic side are two seats, so
far unassigned. They will be occupied by
the senators from Montana, when they
shall have been chosen. Flowers adorned
the desks OF several members.
At noon Vice President Morton entered
the chamber, and Chaplain Rev. j. q.
Butler opened the proceedings with an in
vocation for deyine blessing. The oath OF
office was then administered by the vice
president to Senator Chandler Of New
Hampshire for his new term. The creden-
tials OF Nathan F. Dixon, senate r elect
from Rhode Island, were presented and
read and oath OF office administered to
him. The credentials OF Moody and Petit
grew, senators-elect from the new state OF
South Dakota, were presented by Platt
and Spooner; and those OF Allen and
Squire, OF Washington, were presented by
the vice president.
The several credentials haveingIbeen read,
Mr.. Platt moved that the oath Of office be
administered to the four new senators.
The motion was agreed to and the four
new senators, each OF them escorted by a
senator, proceeded to the clerks desk,
amid some applause from the galleries,
and took the oath OF office.
Mr.. HOar offered a resolution providing
a mode for assigning the senators from
the states OF North Dakota. South Dakota
and Washington to their respective classes
lin relation to the period at which their
terms will expire) and moved its reference
to the committee on privileges and cleo
tions. His res olutioDs, he said proceeded
on the theory that the senator's from the
three states men TONED 6JOOu on an enJlre
equality with refer ence to this opportunity
to be assigned to shorter or longer term.
the three states were all admitted under
The same act OF congress. They were all
admitted by virtue OF proceedings that
took place in them on the same day. The
fact that the proclamations evidencing the
admission OF the two Dakotas preceding
that OF Washington, by two days was due
to the accident OF greater distance OF the
latter, so that the evidence OF the proceed
ings had not reached the department OF
state at the same time. This gave TO the
two Dakotas no Just title TO priority.
The resolution was referred.
Edmunds and Harris we're then app oint
ed committee to Join n like committee
from the house to inform the president
that congress was ready to receive any
communication he may choose to make.
A resolution providing for the continuance
OF the select committee on transportation
and sale OF meat products was agreed to.
Aldrich offered q resolution (Which was
laid over for the appointment OF a select
committee OF nine senators, to be called the
quadro centennial committee to which
shall be referred ell matters connected with
the proposed celebration OF the four hun
dredth anniversary of the discovery OF
America.
The senate then, at 1885, adjourned.