Nogales international., 1931-12-12
5HT TTITT7r1T71T
p Es,,,.s 3 s'Sl IIIN|
Opening OF The First Congress

The converting of the Seventy second Congress
Tuesday in the National Capital brings forth some In
terestng facts from the United States George WASH
ington Bicentennal Commission about the meeting,
in Federal Hall, New York City, OF the Flrst Oniteu
States Congress.
Congress- was to open on March 4 1889; but on
that day, however only twenty-one members OF Con
gress were present, eight Senators and thirteen rep
resentatives, not a quorum for either House.
Day after day, week after week, the members
present met in Federal Hail. which had been done
over for their accommodation. But it was not until
the first day Of April that any business could be
transacted because of quorum was lacking. On that
day. thirty members Of the House having answered to
their Names the body was organized and General
Frederick Muhlenberg was chosen Speaker.
The Senate did not get together until April 3,
when quorum was finally mustered. temporary
presiding officer, whose sole duty it was to open and
count the electoral votes, was elected George Wash
ngton had the vote OF every elector, which was gen
erally known and was therefore, President The sec
ond votes of electors were widely scattered. John
Adams had the next largest number and was there
FORE President, although he did not get major
y Of the whole number of electors appointed It was
two weeks before Washington could be appraised OF
his election and reach the seat of government
It is difficult realize in this day. when Senators
and Representatives arrive by airpane, train and mo-
tor, what an achievement journey was in the days
of the first United States Congress- It took day and
a half to make the trip from Phliadelph1a to New
York The fastest travelling might bring the Repre-
sentative from Charleston in ten or twelve days,
weather and roads permitting Through certain sec
tions of the country it necessary to proceed tor
days at time with mud up the hubs of the chariot
wheels Members from the far South came by steamer
Taverns were indifferent in service and often so
crowded that it was impossible to secure comfortable
accommodations, so it was small wonder that the
members of Congress were oathe to leave their homes
and fresides for the uncertain comforts OF the long
highway to the seat of the national government
Wealthy New York citizens had contributed the
sum Of s32 600 for the purpose of remodeling the old
City Hall, repaintlng and fenoVatng the building,
which when completed, received the new name OF
Federal Hall, and was placed by the City Council at
the disposal of Congress- These alterations incident
ally were made by Major Enfant, who later laid out
the City of Washington.
The appearance of the Hall was impressive for
those days. the basement 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 lngenlously divided
to admit thirteen stars in the metOpes which, with the
eagle and other insignia in the pediment, and the
sculpture Of thirteen arrows surrounded by olive
branches over each window marked it building
set apart for national purposes.
The entrance on Broad Btreet opened into large
plainly furnished room, to which every one had free
access and beyond this the vestbule, which led
in front of the Hall of Representatives and through
arches on each side The vestbule was paved IN mar
ble
The Hall of Representatives was somewhat oc-
tangular in shape, with inches for statues at inter
walls The windows about sixteen feet above the
floor the fine Wainscotlng below interrupted by four
great fireplaces In the panels between the windows
were trophies carved, and the letters D. S. in cipher
surrounded with laurel.
The Speakers chair was on an elevated platform
opposite the princip pie entrance Each members had
separate chair and desk. Guests of the members
were seated in two galleries in front Of the Speakers
dias The general public admitted only to
on the floor outside the bar. In this ROOM the win
dows were hung in light blue damask the chairs COW
cred with the same material.
The Senate Chamber was if anything more Gle
cant than the Hall of Representatives. It was APP