Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-11-11
Historical Facts About Congress.
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Since 1853. a period of thirty-six years,
there have been nineteen Congresses, be-
ginning with the Thirty-fourth, which con-
vened December 3, 1865, and ending with
the Fiftv-second which convened on De-
cember |. 1891. OF these nineteen Con-
crosses only six protracted the first session
INTO August, two having been protracted in
to October. The first session of the Thirty
fourth adjourned August IS, and covered a
period of 260 days. The Thirty seventh
Congress was convened by President Lin
coin in extra session on July 4, 1861, and
sat until August g. The Fortieth Congress
was technically in continuous session in
consequence of the contest between
that body and President johnson
but neither of its adjourned ses-
sions extended over so many days as did
number of preceding and subsequent ses-
sions. The first session of the Forty-fourth,
which brought the Democrats into>control
for the first time in period of sixteen
wears. convened December 8, 1875, and con-
,inued until August Is, 1876, covering a
period of 254 days The first session of the
Forty -seventh, which marked the return of
the Republican domination, convened De-
cember ), 1881. and continued until August
$. 1882, a period of 247 days. The Forty
ninth assembled December Z. 1885, and the
session was terminated August 8, 1856, COW
criug period of 242 days. The Fiftieth
assembled December 5, 1887, and did not
adjourn the first session until October 20,
covering a period of 32l days, and making
that the longest session of Congress ever
held. John G.. Carlisle presided. The
Fifty-first Speaker Reed) convened De-
cember 2, 1883. and its first session was
continued until October LIST, a period of
30i days, placing it next to the first session
of the Fiftieth in Duration
of the men who have been speaker Of
the House only six are distinguished for
having presided over three consecutive
Congresses, and one of them was elected
four consecutive times. Taking them in
chronological order these six are;
I Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina. who
was chosen speaker in December, 1901, and
served until March 3, 1907, presiding over
the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Congresses.
Sneaker Macon's three sessions covered an
aggregate of 1852 days.
. Andrew Stevenson of Virginia, is the
ONLY man ever chosen four times in consecu-
tive order to the speakership. He was first
chosen to preside over the Twentieth Con-
gress. which convened December 3. 1927,
and was chosen speaker of the Twenty -hrst
Twenty second and Twenty third. Before
the close of the first session of the Twenty
third Speaker Stevenson resigned, and
John Bell. of Tennessee succeeded him.
Mr.. Stevenson's period of incumbency was
1882 days.
Schuyler Colfax of Indiana, was chosen
speaker of the 3sth Congress, December I,
1868. and was subsequently, chosen to pre-
side over the 39th and 10th. The days
covered by the three sessions over which he
presided aggregate 1908.
James G.. Blaine Of Maine. was chosen
March 3, 1863. to preside over the 4lst
Congress, an extra session having been con-
vened March (which continued for 81 days.
He also presided over the AID and 43d. The
DAYS of his presiding number 9Gs.
Samuel j. Randall of Pennsylvania, was
chosen speaker December, 1876, at the
short session of the t4th Congress, Speaker
Kerr having died short time prior to the
adjournment of the long session. Mr..
Randall was also chosen speaker of the
45th and 10th Tlfe total number of days
covered BY the sessions over which he pre-
sided was s22 The time of Mr.. kerrs in