The 47th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1881, to March 4, 1883, during the six months of James Garfield's presidency, and the first year and a half of Chester Arthur's presidency. The apportionment of seats in this House of Representatives was based on the 1870 United States census. The House had a Republican majority; the Senate was evenly divided for the first time ever, with no vice president to break ties for most of this term. Party summary The count below identifies party affiliations at the beginning of the first session of this Congress, and includes members from vacancies and newly admitted states, when they were first seated. Changes resulting from subsequent replacements are shown below in the "Changes in membership" section. Senate House of Representatives Leadership Senate President: Chester A. Arthur (R), until September 19, 1881; vacant thereafter President pro tempore: Thomas F. Bayard (D), October 10, 1881 – October 13, 1881 David Davis (I), from October 13, 1881 George F. Edmunds (R), from March 3, 1883 Democratic Caucus Chairman: George H. Pendleton Republican Conference Chairman: Henry B. Anthony House of Representatives Speaker: J. Warren Keifer (R) Republican Conference Chairman: George M. Robeson Major events March 4, 1881: James A. Garfield became President of the United States September 19, 1881: President Garfield died. Vice President Chester A. Arthur became President of the United States Major legislation February 25, 1882: Apportionment of the Tenth Census, ch. 20, May 6, 1882: Chinese Exclusion Act, August 2, 1882: Passenger Act of 1882, August 2, 1882: Rivers and Harbors Act January 16, 1883: Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, ch. 27, March 3, 1883: Tariff of 1883 (Mongrel Tariff) Members This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed by class, and representatives are listed by district. Skip to House of Representatives, below Senate Senators were elected by the state legislatures every two years, with one-third beginning new six-year terms with each Congress. Preceding the names in the list below are Senate class numbers, which indicate the cycle of their election. Alabama 2. John T. Morgan (D) 3. James L. Pugh (D) Arkansas 2. Augustus H. Garland (D) 3. James D. Walker (D) California 1. John F. Miller (R)