51st United States Congress
The 51st United States Congress , made up of the House and Senate , was the United States' legislature . Its legislative period lasted from March 4, 1889 to March 4, 1891. All members of the House of Representatives and a third of the senators ( Class II ) from the old 38 states were elected in the 1888 congressional elections. This resulted in a majority in both chambers for the Republican Party , which with Benjamin Harrison also provided the president. The only remaining role for the Democratic Party was in the opposition. A total of six new states were admitted to the Union in 1889 and 1890, and they were represented in Congress for the first time after elections during the legislative period. These are the states of North Dakota , South Dakota , Montana , Washington , Idaho and Wyoming . The USA now consisted of 44 states. Six more were to follow by 1959. Congress met in the American capital Washington, DC. The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1880 census .
Important events
- March 4, 1889: Beginning of the legislative period of the 51st Congress. At the same time, Benjamin Harrison, who was also elected in November 1888, was introduced to his new office as US President. He replaces the Democrat Grover Cleveland .
- May 31, 1889: Over 2,200 people died (Johnstown Flood) after a dam burst in Pennsylvania .
- June 3, 1889: The first long-distance power transmission line goes into operation in Portland , Oregon . The line is approximately 14 miles (22.4 km) long.
- October 2, 1889: The first Pan-American Conference takes place in Washington DC.
- November 2, 1889: North Dakota and South Dakota are incorporated into the United States as the 39th and 40th states, respectively.
- November 8, 1889: Montana becomes the 41st US state.
- November 11: Washington becomes 42nd state.
- March 27, 1890: 76 people die in a tornado in Louisville . Over 200 people are injured.
- May 2, 1890: Oklahoma Territory founded .
- July 3, 1890: Idaho becomes the 43rd state.
- July 10, 1890: Wyoming becomes the 44th US state.
- September 25, 1890: Sequoia National Park is established
- October 1, 1890: Yosemite National Park was founded .
- November 1890: In the congress elections there are different majorities in the chambers. The Republican Party has a majority in the Senate and the Democrats do the same in the House of Representatives.
- December 29, 1890: The Wounded Knee Massacre occurs in South Dakota.
The main laws
During the session of the 51st Congress, the following federal laws were passed ( see also: Legislative procedure ):
- June 27, 1890: Dependent Pension Act
- July 2, 1890: Sherman Antitrust Act
- July 14, 1890: Sherman Silver Purchase Act
- August 30, 1890: Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act see also Morrill Acts
- October 1, 1890: McKinley Tariff
- March 3, 1891: Forest Reserve Act of 1891
- March 3, 1891: Land Revision Act of 1891
- March 3, 1891: Immigration Act of 1891
- March 3, 1891: Merchant Marine Act of 1891
- March 3, 1891: International Copyright Act of 1891
Composition according to parties
senate
- Democratic Party: 35
- Republican Party: 51
- Others (0
- Vacant: 2
Total: 88 at the end of the legislative period
House of Representatives
- Democratic Party: 152
- Republican Party: 175
- Others: 1
- Vacant: 3
Total: 331 at the end of the legislative period
There were also nine congressional delegates who were not entitled to vote
Public officials
senate
House of Representatives
Senate members
The following senators represented their respective states in the 51st Congress:
Members of the House of Representatives
The following congressmen represented the interests of their respective states in the 51st Congress:
Members of the House of Representatives who are not entitled to vote:
- Arizona Territory : Marcus A. Smith (D)
- Dakota Territory : George Arthur Mathews (R) through November 2, 1889
- Idaho Territory : Fred Dubois (R) through July 3, 1890
- Montana Territory : Thomas Henry Carter (R) through November 7, 1889
- New Mexico Territory : Antonio Joseph (D)
- Oklahoma Territory : David Archibald Harvey (R) from November 4, 1890
- Utah Territory : John Thomas Caine (D)
- Washington Territory : John Beard Allen (R) through November 11, 1889
- Wyoming Territory : Joseph Maull Carey (R) through July 10, 1890
Web links
- bioguide.congress.gov (by entering 51 under Year OR Congress: you get a list of the members of the 51st Congress with a link to the official biographies; English)