United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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50th Congress (1887–1889)

Congressional Profile

Total Membership:

  • 325 Representatives
  • 8 Delegates

Party Divisions:*

  • 167 Democrats
  • 152 Republicans
  • 2 Independent Republicans
  • 2 Labors
  • 1 Independent
  • 1 National

*Party division totals are based on election day results.

Congress Overview

The Republican majority in the Senate eroded and the Democratic majority in the House declined after the 1886 election. President Grover Cleveland fought the 50th Congress (1887–1889) on a number of different legislative fronts and wound up vetoing more than 200 bills (mostly private pensions). He got little help from fellow Democrats in lowering the tariff and none from congressional Republicans calling for higher protectionist rates. Congress established an independent Department of Labor in 1888 and a cabinet-level Department of Agriculture in 1889.

Historical Highlights

 

See more Historical Highlights.

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 50th 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:
John G. Carlisle (D–Kentucky)
Democratic Caucus Chairman:
Samuel S. Cox (D–New York)
Republican Conference Chairman:
Joseph G. Cannon (R–Illinois)
Clerk of the House:
John B. Clark, Jr.
Sergeant at Arms:
John P. Leedom
Chaplain of the House:
William Henry Milburn – Methodist
Doorkeeper:
A. B. Hurd
Postmaster:
Lycurgus Dalton
Clerk at the Speaker's Table:
Nathaniel T. Crutchfield

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

Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov