New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-02


-FIFTY-rwO MEMBERS NOT ABLE TO TAKE TIE
rRoY-cIAp oArH-AN OBJECTION TO THE NOR
MON DELEGATE NOT sUsTANED-THE DRAWING
FOR SEATS.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. THE scenes attending the
meeting and organization of the House to-day were
such as are familiar TO all habitues OF the Capitol
The throng in the hall was greater than on former
occasions and for an hour before noon the press OF
members ex-members, employees Department OIL
Gals, and the undistingushed multitude upon the
floor was SO great that moving about was difficult
task. When the Doorkeepers had cleared the hall
of those who had not the privilege of the floor and
the members had occupied the seats, there
was still thick fringe of people around
the outside of the sem-circle of desks. The gale
ries were as full they could be, and the CORE
spondents in the reporters gallery suffered AZ usual
upon such occasions, from an influx of unknown
fellows claiming to represent obscure country news
papers. The only place not crowded was the
diplomatic gallery, Of which the British and French
Ministers and their families, and few attaches OF
the japanese Legation, were the only occupants.
The clean, new oak desks Of the members gave the
hall a much lighter and more cheerful look than 1t
has ever worn before, and cOntrasted prettly with
tho dark green carpet. No effort had been made in
the vacation to improve the ventilation and the AIR
was frightfully oppressive and unwholesome.
At IL o'clock Clerk Mcpherson went up into
the desk and called the House to order
The old members generally took the seats they
formerly occupied from force of habit, and the
new members made filling of strange faces be-
tween. Among the latter was Alex. II. Stephens of
Georgia, ex-Vice- President of the Southern Con-
federacv who came in on crutches and took
prominent front seat. He looks very feeble and
emaeiated but no more so than for several
wears past Few of the members recog-
nized him, and of all those in the hall
there were probably not more than i've or
six who were his contemporaries during any part OF
the II years when he sat in the House. from 1913 to
1851 The preliminary rollcall went monotonously
forward until the State of Louisiana was reached,
when the Clerk said that there were two delega-
tions one with certificates signed by Gov Warmoth,
ana the other by Acting Gov. Pinchback. From
two Districts there was contest and the names
of the members from those Districts only lad been
placed on the roll The West Virginia election mud
die required another explanation. One member,
heretofore had been voted for at both elections
held in that State, and his name only was called.
In all 27s members answered to the call, remarka-
bly, large attendance in House of 800.
Mr.. Maynard nominated James G. Blaine for
Speaker; Mr. Niblack nominated Fernando Wood.
There was a short pause and the Clerk, supposing
that there would be other nominations, was about
TO commence the roll-call when Mr. Holman rose
and nominated S. s. Cox. There was iutter of ex-
element on the Democratic side. Nlr. Wood
laughed sardonicaly; Mr. Potter scowled Mr..
Holman smiled placidly and looked about to
see the effect of his shot Mr.. Niblack looked
annoyed and Mr. Eldridge angry. The.
holt had started-what would it amount
toi Mr. Cox after a moments hesitation declined
IN he a candidate The rolcall begen, and the Demo-
Gratis as fast ~ called, voted for Mr. Wood, until
Mr.. Bland of Missouri was reached. HE voted for
Alex H. Stephens. Mr.. Cox refused TO vote. Mr..
Creamer voted for Hester Clymer Mr. Holman for
Mn Cox, and Mr. Whitehousc also for Mr.. Cox. All
the rest of the Democrats stood by Wood, except a
few who lodged the vote. The courage of a number
who encouraged the bolt failed when the time came
for action They thought the nomination OF Mr.
Wood fatal mistake. but rather than take the, to
Democrat, dreadful alternative OF boiling regular
nomination, they reluctantly voted for the man
whose nomination was designed ~ an ihdorsement
of the Back Pay grab.
Mr.. Blaine got of course, the solid support OF his
marty. and besides the votes Of two Liberal Repub-
iican,-Aiessrs. Banning of Ohio, and Bromberg of
Alabama The vote stood Blaine, 100; Wood. n;
Cox. 2; Clyner, Stephens l I; total Sl. Nine
Democrats, Including Messrs. Cox and Wood did
not vote. Messrs Maynard and Wood escorted the
Sneaker TO the chair, the three marching arm in
arm up the central aisle. Mr. Blaine made short
speech of thanks for his election, admirably
worded. and not a sentence too long. He spoke Of
being chosen three times Speaker, and of the re-
spousibility of presiding the largest body that
ever assembled at the Capitol, and referred to the
great progress the country has made since the first
Hoose of Representatives sat, with only 90 men,
bcrs, when in all the territory Of the United States