The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1893-08-10
FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
Both Houses Organize and Then
Adjourn.

WASHINGTON, Aug THE Fifty-third
Congress of the United States was opened
at noon today in extraordinary session.
The occasion attracted crowds to the
Capitol.
Just before the strok of noon the Vice
Presidents gavel fell, a hush came sud
denly on the talk and confusion, and the
chaplain of the Senate, Rev. Mr.. Butler,
opened the session with prayer.
In his prayer the chaplain asked: "Re-
member thy servant, the President, and
the members of his cabinet, and bless
the two houses of Congress now assemb-
ling, and SO guide their counsels that the
best interests of the people may be adj
vanced in this time of doubt and ad-
versity and hesitation
The President then directed the
secretary to read the proclamation OF
the President converting Congress in ex-
traordinary session. The document was
| read by Mr. McCook, the outgoing Secre-
tary.
After the appointment of the usual
Committee to wait upon the President,
MIR. White of California, said that it was
his painful duty to announce the death
of his late colleague, Mr.. Stanford.
IN THE HOUSE.
At quarter before IL the floor of the
House was cleared of persons not entitled
to the privilege of being present during
the sessions. The noise and confusion,
however, did not cease either on the
floor or in the galleries until, at the
stroke of noon the flag over the south
wing of the Capitol was hoisted to the
breeze. Clerk Kerr called the members
to order and the extraordinary session OF
the Fifty-third Congress began.
| When order had been restored, Clerk
Kerr, in clear, ringing voice, read the
Presidents proclamation summonlng
Congress to convene in extra session on
August 7, 1893.
SPEAKER CRISP SWORN IN.
Three hundred and sixty>three mem
beers having responded to their names,
the clerk announced that there was more
than a quorum present and that the first
business in order was the election of a
Speaker Mr. Holman, as chairman OF
the Democratic caucus, rose and said
that he had the honor to put in nominal
ton for that high office the Hon. Chas.
F. Crisp. of Georgia.
Mr.. Thomas b. Reed, of Maine, was
! placed in nomination by Mr.. Henderson,
the chairman of the Republican caucus.
Then arose Mr.. KEN. (populist) Of Ne,
braska, and. amid general laughter,
speaking for the third party, presented
the name of Mr.. Jerry Simpson, of Kan
The nominations were then closed and
the clerk proceeded to call the roll. He
had proceeded some time with this task
when Mr. Burrows, (Republican) of Mich
igan, suggested that it had always been
the custom that the vote for Speaker
should be tailed 10y tellers appointed by
the clerk.
Clerk Kerr admitted that he had over
looked this fact, and he Immediately APP
pointed AS tellers Messrs. Caruth, Bling
ham. O'Neill and Hopkins.
The vote resulted: For Crisp, 214; for
Reed, 1872; for Simpson, Z.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
Then the democratic officers were cleo
ted as follows Jas. Kerr, clerk; H. W
Snow, selgeant-at arms; A b. Hurt
doorkeeper; Lycurgus Dalton, postmas>
ter, and Rev. Samuel w. Hadaway, chap
lain. The Republican slate was voted
down without division.
On motion of Mr.. Springer, Democrat
of Illinois, committee was appointed