Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
OPENING OF THE
FIRST CONGRESS


second Congress on December 8 il
the National Capital brings fortl
some interesting facts that tn
United States George Washington
Bicentennial Commission about th'
meeting, in Federal Hall, New Yorl
City, of the First United States Con
gress.
Confiress was to open on March 4
1883; but on that day, however, only
twenty-one members of Congress
were present, eight Senators anC
thirteen Representatives, not {
quorum for either House.
Day after day, week after week
the members present met in Fed
eral Hall, which had been done Ovel
for their accommodation. But il
was not until the first day of Apri
that any business could be trans.
acted because of quorum was lack
ing. On that day, thirty members
of the House having answered their
names, the body was organized and
General Frederick Muhlenberg was
chosen Speaker.
The Senate did not get together
until April 6, when a quorum was
finally mustered. A temporary pre-
siding officer, whose sole duty it was
to open and count the electoral votes,
was elected. George Washington had
the vote of every electOr, which was
generally known, and was therefore,
President. The second votes of cleo
tors were widely scattered. John
Adams had the next largest number
and was therefore, Vice-President,
although he did not get a majority
of the whole number of electors ap-
I pointed. 1t was two weeks before
Washington could be appraised of
his election and reach the seat of
government.
It is difficult to realize in this
day, when Senators and Representa-
tives arrived by airplane, train and
motor, what an achievement jour-
ney was in the days of the first
United States Congress. 1t took
day and a half to make the trip
from Philadelphia to New York. The
fastest travelling might bring the
Representative" from Charleston in
ten or twelve days, weather and
roads permitting. Through certain
sections of the country it was neces-
sary to proceed for days at time,
with mud up to the hubs of the
chariot wheels. Members from the
far South came by steamer.
Taverns were Indifferent in serV-
ice and often so crowded that it was
impossible to secure comfortable ac-
commodations, so it was small won
der that the members of Congress
were loathe to leave their homes and
firesides for the uncertain comforts
of the long highway to the seat of
the national government.
Wealthy New York citizens had
contributed the. sum of $4,000 for
the purpose of remodeling the old
City Hall, repainting and renovat-
ing the building, which when COM
pIeted, received the new name of
Federal Hall, and was placed by the
City Council at the disposal of Con-
gress. These alterations, incident
ally, were made by Major L'Enfant,
who later laid out the City of Wash
ington.
The appearance of the Hall was
impressive for those days, the base
ment story in Tuscan style with
seven openings and four massive
pillars in the center, supported by
heavy arches, above which rose four
Doric Columns. The cornice was in
geniously divided to admit thirteen
stars in the metopes which, with
the eagle and other insignia in the
pediment, an dthe sculpture of thir-
teen arrows surrounded by olive
branches over each window, marked
it as building set apart for nation
al progress.
The entrance on Broad street
opened into a large plainly furnish
ed room, to which every one had
free access, and beyond this was the
vestibule, which led in front to the
Hall of Representatives and through |
arches on each side. The vestibule
was paved in marble.
The Hall of Representatives was
somewhat octangular in shape, with |
inches for statues at intervals. The |
windows were about sixteen feet |
above the floor, the fine wainscoting
below, interrupted by four great fire
places. In the panels between the
windows were trophies carved, and
the letters U. S. in cipher surround
ed with laurel
The Speakers chair was on an
platform, opposite the prin-
ciple entrance. Each member had
separate chair and desk. Guests of
The members were seated in two gal
Ieries in front of the Speakers dias.
The general public was admitted
only to an area on the floor outside
he bar, Inathis room, the windows
we're hung in light blue damask, the
chairs covered with the same ma
erial.
The Senate Chamber was if any
hing more elegant than the Hall of
representatives 1t was approached
,y stairs on the east side of the ves-
ibule, through an antechamber,
communicating with an iron gallery
is we'll as with the Hall of Repre-
There were three Win
lows at each end, those toward Wall
Street opening into an outdoor gal
er ytwelve~ feet deep and guarded
" an iron railing. 1t was in this
,allery that George Washington took
he solemn oath of office, the packed
hrongs witnessing the ceremony 81
ent for an instant in alteration of
heir idol and leader.