The morning call., 1891-12-08
OPENING SESSION.
The Fifty-SecOnd Congress Has
Convened.
Objections Made to Some Of the New
Senators.
BriCe Opposed BY Sherman-The Florida Con-
teSaniS Adjournment Of the HouSs
Of Representatives.
sreeIal to THE MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON, Dec THE heavy rain
Storm which visited this city this morning
had little effect in dampening the ardor Of
the large number of persons who were de-
srous of witnessing the opening of the
Fifty-second Congress and at an early hour
great crowd surged through the corridors
OF the Capitol, and the Capitol police had
great trouble in managing them. The Sem
ate galleries were crowded with spectators,
as there was an unusual number Of new
Senators to be sworn in, counting up sew
enteen without the Senator from Florida,
neither the name of Call nor Davidson be-
ing on the printed list. At noon Vice-Presi-
dent Morton took the chair and the session
opened with prayer by Chaplain Butler.
After this the Vice President laid before
the Senate the credentials of the new Sena-
tors and the resignation of Senator Reagan
OF Texas and the appointment by the Gov
ernor Of that State OF Chiffon. Among the
other credentials were those Of FELTON, of CAL
ifornia, to fill the vacancy caused by Senator
Hcarsrs death, the resignation of Edmunds
OF Vermont and the appointment of Proc
tor. the credentials of Call and Davidson,
each claiming to be the Senator from Flori-
da. After the latter two were read Harris
CTennessee) moved that they be referred to
the Committee on Privileges and Elections.
So that the question might be decided in the
light OF thorough investigation he asked
that they be laid on the table.
George of Mississippi said he would not
object to this request, but that tomorrow he
would insist that the Senate had both the
facts and tie law before 1t, and ought to
rrn OF fA oII tba IIr-
elected member. After a few remarks by
Hoar of Massachusetts, the matter went over.
When the credentials of Senator Brice,
Senator-elect from Ohio, were presented
Senator Sherman of Ohio said: Before
the oath Of office is administered to Mr..
Brice l desire to say that a large portion Of
the citizens of Ohio contend that he was not
an inhabitant of that State at the time Of
his election, and was, therefore, not eligible
to a seat in this body. On examining the
precedents. Of which there are several in
the history of the Government, and some Of
them the most Important | am satisfied that
Mr.. Brice is entitled to be sworn in on the
prima facie case of his credentials, which
are regular in form. simply give this no
tice, however, so his being sworn may not
be considered any waiver, or any misap-
prehension or misconstruction, II the people
or the Legislature of Ohio should assert and
prove to the satisfaction of the Senate that
Brce was not, at the time of his election, an
inhahitant ef Ohio. But l make no objec-
ton to the swearing In OF Mr.. Brice." The
swearing of the newly elected or appointed
Senators was then proceeded with. They
were sworn in grOupS of four of five, In the
first group being Brice, who was escorted
by Kenna of West Virginia. In the next
group was Chiffon of Texas, Dubois of
Idaho, FELTON, of California and GalliDger of
New Hampshire.
Boar (Mass.) said as to Chiffon there was
a question as to whether the Governor of
texas had power to appoint before a va
cancy actually occurred. He would after
ward move TO refer the case to the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections.
Hale (Me.) said he desired to examine the
credentials of Dubois, and asked that they
be laid on the table till tomorrow. Agreed
to. The other Senators in the group were
sworn in.
The name of Hill. Senator-elect from New
York, was not printed on the list, nOr were
his credentials presented. There were but
In their seats. These were Jones (Ark.).
Jones (Ney.l, Stanford (Cal) and Vance
On. C).
Hoar submitted motion that Call be ad-
mltted to take the oath as Senator from
Florida, and said he would let it go over till
tomorrow.
Cullom made like motion in reference to
Dubois.
After the transaction of some routine
business the Senate adjourned.
CAUCUS OF THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS.
The Republican Senators held a short
caucus to-day to provide for the assignment
of Senators to the committees. The Chair
man, Senator Sherman, was authorized 10
appoint committee of nine to select list.
Chairman Sherman later announced the
following committee: CullOm (CnairmRn),
Cameron, Plumb. Sawyer, Hale, Hawley,
Teller, Mitchell, Casey.