United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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46th Congress (1879–1881)

Congressional Profile

Total Membership:

  • 293 Representatives
  • 8 Delegates

Party Divisions:*

  • 141 Democrats
  • 132 Republicans
  • 13 Nationals
  • 7 Independent Democrats

*Party division totals are based on election day results.

Samuel Jackson Randall/tiles/non-collection/s/speaker_randall_2005_16_29_1.xml Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object Representative Samuel Randall of Pennsylvania was first elected Speaker of the House after the death of Speaker Michael Kerr.

Congress Overview

Democrats retained control of the House, captured the Senate, and ramped up their efforts to undercut Reconstruction legislation protecting African-American voting rights in the 46th Congress (1879–1881). Congress continued to challenge President Rutherford B. Hayes by attaching “riders”—substantive amendments—to Army appropriations bills prohibiting federal funding from being used to protect voting places in the former Confederacy. Democrats tried this tactic seven times—and Hayes vetoed each attempt—before Congress abandoned its efforts.

Member Information

  • Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress, (1774–2005), Official Annotated Membership Roster by State with Vacancy and Special Election Information for the 46th Congress [PDF]
  • Learn more about the House of Representatives with an interactive map

Learn more about the People of the People's House

Committee Information

Leadership & Officers

Speaker of the House:
Samuel J. Randall (D–Pennsylvania)
Clerk of the House:
George M. Adams
Sergeant at Arms:
John G. Thompson
Chaplain of the House:
W.P. Harrison – Methodist
Doorkeeper:
Charles W. Field
Postmaster:
A. W. C. Nowlin
Clerk at the Speaker's Table:
J. Randolph Tucker, Jr.
George P. Miller
Michael Sullivan
Republican Conference Chairman:
William P. Frye (R–Maine)
Democratic Caucus Chairman:
John F. House (D–Tennessee)

To view complete lists of individuals who have served in these leadership and official positions since the 1st Congress, visit the People section

Session Dates

Saturday/Sunday Sessions

Joint Meetings, Joint Sessions, & Inaugurations

Related Historical Highlights

The 1879 Rider Wars
The 1879 Rider Wars
March 18, 1879
The 46th Congress convened in a special, early session to address unfinished military appropriations bills that threatened a federal government shutdown.
The Opening of the Second Session of the 46th Congress
The Opening of the Second Session of the 46th Congress
December 01, 1879
The second session of the 46th Congress (1879–1881) convened.
A House Reception for Irish Parliament Member Charles Stewart Parnell
A House Reception for Irish Parliament Member Charles Stewart Parnell
February 02, 1880
Irish Parliament Member Charles Stewart Parnell addressed the House of Representatives concerning the plight of Ireland.
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov