Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1881 — DOINGS OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

FAIITY CAUCUSING. The Republican members of the House of Representatives met in caucus at the Capitol in Washington on Saturday, Dec. 3, and were called to order by Mr. Hubbell, of Michigan. Mr. Robeson, of New Jersey, waR chosen Chairma u. A call of the roll revealed the presence of 146 Representatives, including J. Ilyatt Smith, of New York, elected as an Independent. Nomina Rons for the Speakership being in order, seven candidates wero placed iu the field —being Messrs. Uncock, Keifer, Kasson, Dunnell, Orth, Burrows, and Reed. On the first ballot Keifer received 52 votes, Hiscock 44 and Kasson 15. Tho vote changed considerably throughout fifteen ballots, Keifer being chosen on the sixteenth. For Clerk of the House, Edward MbPherson, of Pennsylvania, was selected ; for Postmaster, Harry Sherwood, of Michigan; for Sergeant-at-Arms, Col. Hooker, of Vt rmont, and for Doorkeeper, Col. Brownlow, of Tennessee. On motion of Gen. Henderson, of Illinois, seconded by TJpdegraff, of lowa, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: “That the follow-ing-named honorably-discharged soldiers, minus a leg or arm, or" both, and now borne on the soldiers’ roll of the House of Representatives of the United States, bo retained by the Doorkeeper of the House on said roll, subject, however, to dismissal for jnst and sufficient cause: 8. H. Decker, both arms off, Ohio; John ltyan, one log off, Pennsylvania; James L. McCormick, one leg off, Indiana; Hugh Lewis, one arm off, Wisconsin; John Rome, one arm off, New Jersey; Capt. J. W. White, one arm off, Ohio.” Three of these soldiers are Republicans and three Democrats. Soon after the adjonrnmant of the Republican caucus tho Democratic members-elect assembled, in the same hall, and orgamzed thdr caucus by re-electing Representative House, of Tennessee, as Chairman, and Frost, of Missouri, and Welborn, of Texas, Secretaries, ltepresentative Proctor Knott, of Kentucky, then offered a resolution indorsing the declarations of the Democratic National Conventions of 1876 and 1880, the supposed object being to put Democratic members on record in favor of the plank indorsing “ a tariff for revenue only.” The resolution was supported by Representatives Knott and Reagan, and opposed by Representatives Hammond, McLain, Hooker and Herbert. Representative Hooker moved to indefinitely postpone consideration of the resolution, and the motion was carried—ayes, 53 ; noes. 42. Representative McKenna then moved that the caucus indorse and put in nomination as candidates for the Democrats all the officers of the last House, and the motion was carried, viva voce, without dissent. The Greenback members-elect of the House met in caucus and nominated Nicholas Ford, of Missouri, for Speaker ; Gilbert De La Matyr, of Indiana, for Clerk of the House ; Lee Crandall, of Washington, D. C., for Sergeant-at-Arms ; H. Martin Williams, of Missouri, for Doorkeeper ; and W. H. Moore, of Pennsylvania. for Postmaster.