Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1893 — THE EXTRA SESSION. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE EXTRA SESSION.

CRISP AGAIN CHOSEN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. The Meeting Is the Twelfth Extraordinary Session in the History of the United States—New Faces and New Committees In the Senate, Etc. A Democratic Congress.

IN raspanse to the proclamation of President Cleveland, Congress has, for the twelfth time in the history of the United States, assembled Ba in “ extraordin aHlg, ry” session. The EJgr. session marks a milestone in American history, mm as it brings to‘JpT gether for the first . time in thirty y ear3 a Congress fW'ffi that is Democratic rlf |f| in both branches, II , supported by a ‘ Democratic President. Aside from.

this political revolution, which toot definite expression on its assemblage, this Congress is brought together by circumstances of unusual moment. The whole country is looking to it for relief. Business interests are standing still, and in some cases prostrate until Congress affords relief. It is seldom, that Senators and members have come together with a feeling of graver responsibility than that which is felt and experienced on all sides at the present time The session opened with prayer by the Senate’s new chaplain, Mr. Milburn. Its two principal officers, Mr. Cox, the new Secretary, and Mr., Bright, the new Sergeant-at-arms, also represented the changed political complexion of the body. All the committee clerkships underwent political change during the extra session in March, and most of the appointees

under the former Secretary and Ser-geant-at-ai ms have only had their official decapitation postponed, not averted. There were very few preliminaries bc-i fore the serious business of Congress began. The Senate committees had already been chosen, and the organization with new officers was complete. In the House Speaker Crisp again presides, according to the unanimous action of the Democratic caucus. The only change in the House organization was in three minor officers—doorkeeper, sergeant-at-arms, and chaplain. Ex-Con-gressman Snow of Illinois became the new sergeant-at-arms of the House, after a close contest in the Democratic caucus, in which be beat the old ser-geant-at-arms, Mr. Yoder, by only eno vote. The first business after tho Senate was called to order was to administer the oath of office to three Senators and to Mr. Cox, the new Secretary of the Senate. The Senators who took the oath are Mr. Perkins, who succeeds Senator Stanford; Mr. Pascoe, of Florida, who has been re-elected after serving ad interim under a gubernatorial appointment; and Mr. Quay, of Pennsylvania, who was not presont during the last extra session, and so has not yet qualified. As soon as notice was received from the House that it had organized, the proper committee was appointed to wait upon tho President and notify him that Congress was ready to receive any communication ho may care to make. This called forth the message explaining the President’s reasons for convening Congress in special session. Routine Proceedings. Ihe Senate session Monday lasted just thirty-two minutes. £eventy-five of the full membership of eishty-eightwere present. Mr. Beckwith, of Wyoming, resigned his seat Several Senators who were not sworn in last March subscribed to tho oath. The death of Senator Stanford was announced, and adjournment was immediately taken. The scenes in the Houso were such as are always enacted at an opening session. Three hundred and thirty-six members were present, and Speaker (rispwas re-elected presiding officer. In squads of two dozen the mem-bers-elect were sworn in; a contest was announced from tho Fifth Michigan district, Then officers were elected as follows: James Kerr, Clerk; H. W. Snow, Sergeant-at-arms; A. B. Hurt, Doork eper; Lycurgus Dalton. Postmaster, and Samuel W. Hadaway, Chaplain. The biennial drawing for seats was then proceeded with amid laughter, cheers and alternations of pleasure and disappointment. The House adjourned out of respect to the memory of the late William H. Enochs, of Ohio.

SPEAKER CRISP.