The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-23
EXTRA session BEGUN.
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE
FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
Scenes Oh the Floors of Both Houses
on the Opening Day-No Business
Of Importance Transacted in the
Senate-The Representatives Or
panize With Crisp as Speaker.

Of Importance Transacted in the
Senate-The Representatives Or
ganize With Crisp as Speaker.
Only routine business was transacted on
the first day of the extraorii binary session OF
the Fifty-third Congress. called by President
Cleveland for the purpose OF enacting legis-
lation to relieve the alarming financial con-
dition OF the country. The Senate ad-
journed very abruptly on receiving
the announcement OF the death OF
Senator Stanford. which occurred a
month ago, and the House spent the day In
electing its Speaker and ch posing the seats
that the Representatives OF the new congress
will OCCUPY. At the White House President
Cleveland awaited the coming OF the usual
committees from the Senate and House to an
nounce to him that Congress was ready to do
business. and was prepared to reply to them
that he would at once communicate to the two
Houses in writing. His message was COM
pleted. and the Office carriage stood at the
door to convey the: private secretary to the
Capitol with the important document. The
Congressional committees did not arrive,
however, and the message was locked up IN
the White House safe.
In the Senate, Just before the stroke OF
noon, the vice-President's gavel fell, and 1.-THE
Rev. Mr.. Butler opened the session with
PRAYER. The Vice-President then directed
the Secretary to read the proclamation OF
the President convening Congress to ex-
traordinary session. and the document
was read by Mr.. McCook. the outgoing Score
tary. Mr.. Quay, who had been absent
during the last session Of the Senate, and had
therefore not taken the oath qualifying him
for his new term, had the oath now admin
istered to him, as also had Mr.. Pasco. re-
elected by the Legislature Of Florida since
the close of the last session. The Vice
President laid before the Senate COM
runication from Mr.. Beckwith, OF Wyoming,
saving that, owinS to combination OF
circumstances over which he had no control,
be had been obliged to hand In his resigna-
tion 20 Governor Osborne, OF Wyoming. OF
MS appointment as United States Senator
The communication was placed on file. On the
suggestion Of Mr.. German the oath OF office
was administered to the new Secretary OF the
Senate, Mr.. Cox, who was escorted to the
desk by the retiring Secretary, Mr.. McCook.
Resolutions were then offered and agreed to
TO inform the House of Representatives that
a quorum of the Senate had assembled and
was ready to proceed to business; to notify the
House and the President OF the election OF
Mr.. Cox as Secretary ofthe Senate, fixing the
daily hour of meeting at noon. and for the
to ioin like committee on the part OF the
House 10 wait upon the President and in
form him that both Houses are in session and
ready to receive any communication ne
may be pleased to make. Messrs. Har-
ris and Sherman were appointed as
such committee on the part OF
the Senate Mr.. White then rose and said
tbat il was his painful duty to announce the
deHtn Of his late colleague, Mr.. Stanford. He
dot N hYaH hPrpQff6Y
Quest the Senate to set apart day for such
remarks in regard to Mr.. Stanford's memory
RS might be deemed proper, and should con-
tent himself now with moving, as mark OF
Re. pect. that the Senate do now adjourn. The
motion was agreed to, and the Senate, at
12 20 adjourned.
IN The House OF Representatives quarter
be ore % the floor was cleared Of persons
not entitled to the privilege Of being present
during the session, and at noon Clerk Kerr
called the members to order, and the extra
ordinary session Of the Fifty-third Congress
began. Then the Clerk read the Presi-
dents proclamation summoning Congress
TO convene in extra session and I'M
mediately afterward proceeded to cali the
roll. Three hundred and thirty-six mem-
bers having responded to their names, the
Clerk announced that there was more than
quorum ps sent, and that the first business
Ro man. as Chairman of the Democratic eau
Gus. rose and said that he had the honor to
put in nomination orthst high office the Hon.
flames F. Crisp, of Georgia. The laugh
ter caused by this slip OF the tongue
had hardly abated before it was renewed,
when the Clerk fell into the same error and
announced that "James" F. Crisp had been
put In nomination. Mr.. Reed. Of Maine, was
placed In nomination by Mr.. Henderson. the
Chairman Of the Republican caucus. Then
arose Mr.. KEN and, amid general laughter,
speaking for the third party, presented the
name Of Jerry Simpson. Of Kansas. The vote
resulted: For Crisp, 214,; for Reed, 122; for
Simpson, Z. The announcement was
% erected with loud applause. Messrs.
Holman, Reed and Simpson were
appointed committee to escort the Speaker
to the chair. As Mr.. Crisp assumed the
ravel q sudden hush fell upon the House.
In clear but moved voice the Speaker said ::
Representatives Profoundly grateful for
this mark of your confidence, shall try to
be in some degree worthy Of 1t by an honest
effort to discharge the duties Of the
Office on which I am about to enter
with fidelity, with courtesy, and
with the strictest impartiality. ZAP
plause.) I am now ready to take the
oath OF Office" The oath was impressively
administered by the father of the House, Mr..
O'Neill, OF Pennsylvania. Prayer was then
offered by the blind Chsplain OF the last
House, the Rev. Doctor Milburn. The work
of administering the oath of office to the
nembers-elect was then entered upon. In
squads Of two dozen they, as their names
were called, took their stand IN the area in
front Of the Speakers desk, and with right
hand raised swora to obey the Constitution
and the laws Of their country. Then the
Democratic officers were elected as follows:
James Kerr. Clerk H. W. Snow, Sergeant
alarms; A. B. Hurt, Doorkeeper ;
Lycurgus Dalton, Postmaster, and Sum-
uel W. Hsdaway, Chaplain. When
the drawing for seats was concluded.
it was ordered that the daily hour for the
meeting OF the House would be IL m. Mr..
Grosyenor announced the death Of his COL
OF respect to the memory OF the deceased the
House at $50 adjourned.
The Senate.
ID DAr.-The Rev. Dr. Milburn. the new
Chaplain Of the Senate. opened the proceed
inSs with prayer. The Journal was read by
the new Secretary, Mr.. Cox The creden-
tials of George G. Perkins. under tine ap-
pointment Of the Governor OF California, IN
place Of the late Senator Stanford were read.
and the oath OF Office was administered 20
the new Senator. Mr.. Pruden. one Of
the Presidents secretaries then deliveredthe
message. which was immediately read to the
Senate by Mr. Johnson. the chief clerk. 1t
was ordered to be printed Immediately, and
referred TO the Finance Committee. Various
petitions for and against the repeal Of the
Sherman act were presented and referred
10 the Finance Committee. Mr.. Hill. OF
New York. introduced a bill 10 repeal
certain sections OF the Sherman net. That
was followed by two bills introduced
by Mr.. Stewart. Mr.. Lodge introduced a