Jasper Republican, Volume 2, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1875 — CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. [ARTICLE]

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

The Senate of the Forty-fourth Congress was called to order at twelve o’clock on the 6th, by the President pro tern., Senator Ferry, of Michigan. After prayer by the Ch aplain the credentials of David M. Key, appointed to sncceed the late Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, were presented, and he was sworn In. Mr. Boutwell formally announced the death of Vice-President Wilson... .The Honse was called to order by Mr. McPherson, Clerk of the Forty-third Congress. Two hundred and eighty-six members answered to their names. The vote for Speaker resulted as follows: M. C. Kerr (the nominee of the Democratic Caucus), 178; J. G s Blaine, 103; scattering, 8. Mr. Kerr was conducted to the chair, and returned thank* rem rks, promising complete fairness and impartiality toward all. The oath of office was administered to the Speaker by Mr. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, as the oldest continuous member of the House, and the Speaker then administered the oath to the members. The nominee* of the Democratic caucns for the minor offices of the House were then elected by resolution, and sworn in. A resolution was adopted that the ru es of the House in the Forty-third Congress be the rules of the present House, except Rules 166 ajid 167, and also providing for the appointment of a Committee on Rules, to consist of the Speaker and four members. Rules 166 and 167 are those adopted in the last Congress requiring motions to suspend the rales to be seconded by a majority, and forbidding the entertainment of dilatory motions. The usual committees to notify the Senate and President were appointed. On the 7th the President’s message was read in the Senate and ordered printed. James E. English was sworn in as Senator from Connecticut, in plaCh of O. S. Ferry, deceased.... The drawing of seats took place in the House, after which the President’s meesage was read and ordered printed. A petition of W. H. Trescott and others,, of Sooth Carolina, with reference to the right of the Third Congressional District of that State, was presented and referred. The Hou e adjourned to the 10th. On the Bth a large number of memorials were presented In th* Senate, among them one from the Centennial Board of Finance asking for an appropriation of $t,50 , »,(X0. Among the bills introduced was one by Mr. Morton to provide for and regulate the countin - of votes for President and Vioe-President, and the disposition of questions arising therefrom. Mr. Morton also submitted a*jotnt resolution to amend the Constitution of thqftnited States so as to elect the President and Vice-President by a direct vote of the people and to abolish the Electoral College. On the 9th the Standing and Select Committees were announced in the Senate. A letter was presented from W. L. McMillan asking permission to withdraw his credentials as Senator-elect from Louisiana by the McEnery Legislature, and an order was submitted that the request be granted, but objection being made It was laid over. Among the bills Introduced and referred was one by Mr. Bogy authorising the payment of duties on imports in legal-tender and National Bank notes, alter July 4,1876. Adjourned to the 18th. On the 10th the Senate was not in session.... A resolution was adopted by the Honse adding a committee of eleven, to he known as the Committee on Mississippi Levees. After some debate on a request to introduce a bill providing for a reduction of postage on pamphlets, transient newspapers, etc., the Hous<^ adjourned to the 14th.