The Forty-second Congress of the United States opens in Washington, D.C. Of the 243 representatives who will sit in the House, 136 are Republicans and 104 are Democrats. Two others sit as Liberal Republicans, and one as an Independent Republican. On this opening day, James G. Blaine, Republican of Maine, Speaker of the House in the 41st Congress, is re-elected. This first session, called under the legislation of January, 1867, will sit for 48 days, until April 20, 1871. (By John Osborne)