Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 October 1877 — FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.

Monday, Oct. 15.—Senate.—Senators were early in their places, and the usual bustle attending the opening of the session prevailed.... The oath of office was administered to Stanley Matthews (Ohio), elected in the place of John Sherman, resigned ; J. Don Cameron, in place of Simon Cameron, resigned, anil D. H. Armstrong, who was appointed from Missouri, vice L. V. Bogy, deceased; after which the Senate adjourned. House.—The House was called to order by Clerk Adams promptly at 12 o’clock. The roll of members by States was called, beginning with Maine. When Louisiana was reached, the Clerk eaid that three sets of returns had been received from that State—the first signed by John McEncry. As Mr. McEnery was never recognized as a de facto Governor, the certificates signed by him would not be considered. The second set was signed by W. P. Kellogg, and reached the Clerk at different times and by different channels. In regard to the latter. Clerk Adams said that the certificates signed were not in compliance with the laws of Louisiana, and therefore not proper credentials. He could not recognize them or put the names of members holding such certificates on the rolls. The third set was signed by F. O. Nicholls, as Governor, was in due form and in accordance with the laws of Louisiana, and the names of the members holding the certificates signed by Nicholls had been placed on the rolls. When Colorado was reached Adams said he had excluded the names of Messrs. Belford and Patterson, both claiming seats from that State. There were 287 members present. Samuel J. Randall was elected Speaker, receiving 149 votes to 132 for James A. Garfield. The oath of office was administered to the Speaker, who then administered the oath to the members. Most of the Southern members took the qualified oath. Objection was made to swearing in Cain and Rainey, of South Carolina ; Darrell, Elam and Robertson, of Louisiana, and Pacheco, of California. and those members stood aside. The delegates for the Territories were all sworn in without objection. Mr. Clymer offered a resolution electing as Clerk, George M. Adams, of Kentucky; Scrgeant-at-AraiH, John G. Thompson, of Ohio ; Doorkeeper, John W. Polk, of Missouri; Postmaster. James M. Stewart, of Virginia; and as Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. John Poisel, of Maryland. Mr. Hale offered an amendment substituting for these names those of Jeremiah M. Rusk, of Wisconsin ; N. G. Ordway, of New Hampshire; Horace H. Harrison, of Tennessee; Henry Sherwood, of Michigan ; and the Rev. J. G. Butler, of Washington. The amendment was rejected, and the resolution adopted without a division. The oath of office was then administered to these officers, Messrs. Polk and Stewart taking the modified oath... .After the drawing of seats by the members, the House adjourned.

Tuesday, Oct. 16.—Senate.—A large number of bills and petitions were presented and referred. Among the petitions were many favoring an increase of compensation to letter-carriers. Among the bills was one offered by Mr. Beck for the removal of all disabilities imposed by the Fourteenth amendment. Referred.... Mr. Thurman introduced a bill to amend tho Pacific Railroad acts, so as to create a sinking fund for the liquidation of the indebtedness due to the Government by the Pacific Railroad Companies.... Memorials from the Missouri Legislature, in favor of ihe removal of the national capital to the Mississippi valley, and in relation to a national system of levees for the Mississippi river, were referred.... introduced a bill granting arrears of pensions. Referred.... A bill to establish the Territory of Huron, and provide a temporary government therefor, was referred; also, a bill to establish a branch mint at Omaha.... Mr. Rogers, Private Secretary to the President, delivered the message. It was read immediately by Secretary Gorham, ordered printed and referred. House. —Mr. Hale, of Maine, called up the Colorado election case. Mr. Cox raised a point of order that the disputed elections must be considered in order. Objected to. and the motion to call up Colorado was 105 t.... A long discussion took place on the question of swearing in the two South Carolina members, Rainey and Cain,-whose names were put on the roll by the Clerk. Mr. Cox wanted the question referred to the Committee on Elections, but it was contended, among others by two Democrats, Messrs. Miles and Potter, that, as the gentlemen had the usual legal certificate of election, they should be sworn in, and then their right to seats might be referred. This view prevailed, and Rainey and Cain were sworn in... .Objection was withdrawn in the case of Darrall, of Louisiana, and he also was sworn in... .The case of Elam, of Louisiana, was discussed, but no result reached... message was read, and referred to the Committee of the whole..,.The rules of the last House were adopted. Wednesday, Oct. 17.—Senate.—Mr. Beck introduced a bill authorizing the payment of 50 per cent, of customs duties in legal-tender notes. Referred. ...Mr. Thurman presented the credentials of Henry M. Spofford, Senator from Louisiana, from March 4,1877, and asked that they be read and Mr. Spofford sworn in. The credentials having “®en read, Mr. Mitchell moved that they be reLs, rred 1° Committee on Privileges and Elections, finally Mr. Edmunds appealed to Mr. Thurman to let tne subject lie over for a day. Mr. Thurman u d ’ havin K no desire, to force the Senator to ready t 0 do 50....8ins were inel Orred suffiorizing the citizens of a Jt d the Territories to fell and on the public domain for minin g and domestic purposes: to prevent abuses in the 1** B *-*# 6 B ** m P ß sjd stamped envelopes..,. Mr McCreery Introduced a bill to repeal the Bankl rfiptlawand all the acts amendatory thereto Mr. Edmunds submitted the following : Resolved That a eelect committee of seven Senators be ar£ pointed, whose duty it shall be to take into consideration the state of the law respecting the ascertain-

Ing and declaration of the result of the election Of President and Vice President of the United States, and that said committee have power to report by bill or other wise.... The President sent in a large number of nominations, mostly of persons who were appointed during the recess of:' the Senate. The only new one of importance was that 'of Hop. John M. Harlan to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. ''?WV' Afto readhß ß of the journal 'the disputed election case from the Fourth DMrict of ■ Louisiana was tsten up, Um, ■uestion being upon the resolution of Mr. Leonard, referring the claims ofEUnfrand Smith, the contestants, to toe Com, mtttee A 1 Ejections, to decide Who has a light to the seat, and a long discussion on points of order After debate the substitute was adopted—yeas, 144; nays, 119. Mr. Elam took the modified oath.... Mr. Frye offered a resolution reciting that Charles N. Nash had presented a certificate of election signed by Gov. Kellogg, then the duly recognized and acting Governor of Louisiana, but that the Clerk of the House had declined to place Nash’s name on the roll, but had.substituted E. W. Robertson, on the authority of a paper signed by Gov. Nicholls, and directing that the name of Robertson be sfefack off was amhimstererl•. .The case of Pacheco, of California, was then called up, When Mr. Garfield moved that the oath of office be administered, which was agreed to after discussion, and Mr. Pacheco took his seat. Thursday, Oct. 18.—Senate.—Consideration was resumed of Mr. Thurman’s resolution to have the oath administered to Mr. Spofford, of Louisiana, the pending question being the substitute referring the credentials to a committee. After debate, by a vote of 36 yeas to 33 nays, the substitute was agreed to, and the credentials of Spofford were referred to the Committee on Privileges and Elections. Mr. Davis (Ill.) voted with the Democrats against reference. A motion of Mr-. White instructing tfie eonimiitce to report on or before the Ist of November, 1877, was rejected—yeas, 31; nays, 35. The committee was also instructed to consider and report upon the credentials of William Pitt Kellogg. Mr. Thurman moved that J. B. Eustis be sworn in as Senator from Louisiana. Laid over. House.—Not in session. Friday, Oct. 19.—Smnatx.—Mr. Merrimon introduced a bill to amend section 146 of the Revised Statutes relating to vacancies in the offices of President and Vice President... Mr. Morrill submitted a resolution instructing the Committee on Pensions to inquire and report, by bill or otherwise, a plan for reducing and properly adjusting the salaries and fees of Pension Agents. An amendment offered by Mr. Ingalls, directing the committee to inquire into the expediency of abolishing all the pensian agencies and having the pensions paid from Washington, was agreed to, and the resolution passed... .Mr. Merrimon introduced a bill to alter the time for holding elections for President and Vice President and casting the vote in the Electoral College.... The claims of J. B. Eustis to a seat in the Senate from Louisiana were discussed, but no action was taken on the case. House.—Not in session.