Gaslight replaced candles and oil lamps as the Senate Chamber's principal means of illumination. Senator John Fairfield reported that this innovation provided "light enough to write by and read the finest print in any part of the chamber." In 1864 a new generation of gas lights were installed that turned on and off by a galvanic current. When turned on, the gas was lighted by the heating of a galvanic current of minute coils of platinum wire placed over the orifices of the burners. In 1886 the Architect of the Capitol introduced the newest innovation—electricity—to the Senate wing, making all earlier systems quite obsolete.
December 4, 1815
Brick Capitol
On August 24, 1814, in the midst of the "War of 1812," British troops marched on Washington and burned the Capitol, the White House, and many other government buildings. For five years, the Senate met in temporary quarters while the Capitol was rebuilt. When the Senate convened the 14th Congress on December 4, 1815, senators met in a brick structure hastily erected on the current site of the Supreme Court, and remained at that site until restoration of the Capitol was completed in December of 1819. The newly remodeled Senate Chamber became the stage for the Senate's Golden Age.
December 5, 1927
Senate Democratic leader Joseph T. Robinson of Arkansas began the tradition under which the two party floor leaders occupy the front-row, center-aisle desk in the Senate Chamber. Robinson had coveted that spot for some time. Finally, in 1927, the senior senator who had occupied the prominently placed desk on the Democratic side of the Senate Chamber retired, giving Robinson the opportunity to claim the space. Republican leaders had to wait another decade, however, before retirement opened up the corresponding desk on their side of the chamber. Finally, on January 5, 1937, Republican Leader Charles McNary took his seat across from Robinson.
December 6, 1790
Congress Hall
The Senate met for the first time in its new quarters on the second floor of Philadelphia's Congress Hall. From March of 1789 until December of 1790, the Senate had convened in New York City, in a building known as Federal Hall. For the next decade, the U.S. Congress completed its legislative duties in Philadelphia. Finally, during the summer of 1800, the federal government packed its boxes and moved to its permanent home in the newly created District of Columbia. On November 17, 1800, the Senate convened its first meeting in the still-unfinished United States Capitol.
December 7, 1829
The Senate appointed its first page, 9-year-old Grafton Hanson (grandson of Sergeant at Arms Mountjoy Bayly), beginning a Senate tradition that continues today. For many years, Senate pages were young boys, typically 9 or 10 years old, who lived in Washington, D.C. Employment as a Senate page offered the children a chance to earn a small income to help support their families. In the 20th century, the Senate developed its page program into a professional school designed to educate high school students while giving them the unique opportunity to work in the legislative environment. The first female pages entered the program in 1971.
December 9, 1858
The Senate Democratic Caucus took the extraordinary step of removing Senator Stephen Douglas as chairman of the influential Committee on Territories. This action grew out of the Illinois senator's disagreements with President James Buchanan over the organization of the Kansas territory. After his reelection in 1858, following his much publicized debates with Abraham Lincoln, Douglas was seen as a threat to the Buchanan administration. Consequently, Buchanan's allies in the Senate successfully separated Douglas from his Senate power base, the Committee on Territories. Despite this loss of a powerful position, Douglas remained an influential senator, playing a key role in the adoption of the Compromise of 1850.
Senate Traditions
The U.S. Senate relies heavily on tradition and precedent. Change comes slowly. Many of its current rules and procedures date from the First Congress in 1789. In conducting late 20th-century Senate impeachment trials, the Senate closely followed procedures established in the 1790s and updated in the 1860s. Senate officials still carry 18th-century titles such as “secretary,” “clerk,” “keeper of the stationery,” and—until recently—“wagon-master.”
Senate Rules & Procedures
“All legislative bodies need rules to follow if they are to transact business in an orderly fashion,” wrote Senator Robert C. Byrd, “and if they are to operate fairly, efficiently, and expeditiously.” The legislative process on the Senate floor is governed by a set of standing rules—first adopted in 1789 and revised on seven separate occasions—along with a body of precedents, a variety of established and customary practices, and ad hoc arrangements the Senate makes to meet specific parliamentary and political circumstances.
Freshman senators who preside for 100 hours during any session earn the Golden Gavel award.
In 1789 members took the Senate's first oath: "I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States."
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In 1789, anticipating the impeachment trial of William Blount, the Senate adopted its first impeachment rules.
