The daily gazette., 1883-12-04
OPENING OF CONGRESS.
A HITCH ovER A CONTESTED
ELECTf.:35.
SPEAKER oARL1sLE's ADDRESS
Rem Picture of the Scene on the Floor or
the House--The Speakers Position
Clearly Defined.

| OF Coloredo, this morning, with q nervous
Jerk of his left thumb towards the House of
Representatives, where the great interest in
the opening proceedings of ConRrees centred
There were only nine new Senators to be
sworn In In the Senate, while over In the
| House new Speaker was TO be elected,
and body of 326 members was to
be organized. The galleries in both
chambers were packed carly In the day.
But few who went late to the Capitol were
| able u witness the House opening. Mrs.
Carlisle, In q handsome suit OF brown,
with Mrs. Willis, of Kentucky, occupied
the post of honor In the members gallery.
Mrs. Blaine was in the gallery opposite.
In the gallery assigned 10 the President was
| Secretary Frelinghuysen and several lady
menbers Of his family.
There was a mild sensation upon the floor
of the House before 10 o'clock, caused by
| the attempt to drive out poor crazy claim
/ ant who has haunted the Hobbies of the Cap.
itol for years. He refused to leave the floor
when requested to go, and fought the off,
GERS so hercely that he had his right arm
severely injured. The officers would have
had hard work with him If Congressman
Joe Blackburn had not stepped in and easily
coaxed the old man to go out without en-
ploying any force.
The House chamber looked as bright as It
from the top. The blazing bright red pre-
dominating in the carpet, with the dark blue
OF the screens around the outer row of seats,
made pronounced setting for the solid
dark black of the grimly uniformed men,
bers. The House had a good look to expe-
peried eyes. The members were mainly
men of large frames and with an air of
gravity and seriousness that gave almost an
air Of solemnity to the gathering. The un.
usually large number of sad-faced
new members, borne down with the
burden of their new responsibilities, added
TO the prayer meeting aspect of the gather
ing. Nearly all OF the new members were
dressed in their shiniest and best black
clothes. The only man bold enough to in
troduce color in this sombTe mass of states
men-like raiment was Pettibone OF Tennes-
see. He had flaming cherry -eolored hand
kerchicf tied about his neck, and, as a ne
ssary consequence, attracted unusual
notice. Some accused this Southern MEM
Der OF waving the bloody shirt, and others
called him patriot wrapped In the banner
of his country.
Naturally the first look of every one was
to the successful candidate for the Speaker
ship, and then the eyes Of all turned to the
defeated candidates. Carlisle occupied his
old seat, next to the middle aisle, three
seats from the front, during the roll.call.
There was nothing in his appearance to indi.
cate feeling of triumph over his victory.
He was reserved, quiet, and was the constant
object of coBgratulation from members.
soon aIter Tne ruii-e0ll he Tet1red 70 tIe
Speakers room, and there waited until Ran
dali and Keifer came to bring him to assume
the chair
PROMINENT FIGURES.
In looking over the Democratic side, after
the members were all seated, 1t was no.
ticeable that every seat was occupied. In
the front row was Springer, with his
never-failing button-hole bouquet. Seated
by his side was the stalwart, handsome,
independent member from Chicago. John
f. Finerty. To the right Of Springer was
Richelleu Robinson, looking sideways from
under his gray locks at his rival enemy of
the British lion. Just back of Springer
was Judge Holman, looking very fresh
and contented. Near Holman was Dorshei-
mer, of New York, leaning bis whole
weight upon the desk in front OF him. In
tho centre of the aisle, posing for the bene
fit of the galleries, was John Hancock, of
Texas. William R. Morrison moved un-
easily to and fro, not remaining long In
any one position. The red headed Inde- |
pendent member from Texas, Tom Ochll
tree, attracted good deal of notice. He
remained Lack Of the seats near the cloak
room most of the time, where he could
smoke and move about at case.
Over upon the Republican side every one
was glad to see father Kelley looking so
we'll. The next man to him as O target Of
curiosity was the new Governor of Massa-
chusetts, Robloson, who WIN hold his seat
in Congress until the holiday recess. Luke
PolAnd's sallow face and white silc
whskers, blue coat and brass buttons also
came In for their share of attention. Ex-
Senator Kellogg upon the back row, the
diplomatic Kasson and the burly, clumsy
figured Keifer were prominent figures
Keifer was very nervous until after the
elecsion OF Speaker was over. Hc evidently
fully expected to meet with severe set
back from his Republican associates. There
had been good deal said about 1t in the
papers, There had been sensational stories
ahoat and Keifer fairly trembied before the
balloting began, but only Eve of the III
Republicans voted against him.
THE NEW SPEAKER INSTALLED.
At 1 20 o'clock the votes OF 308 members
had been taken and 19l were for Carlisle.
1t is customary when a committee is ap-
pointed to wait on the newly elected Speaker
for the members of the committee first to re-
tire to the rear of the House and then ad-
vance down the centre aisle. Randall con-
formed to the rigid etiquette of the occasion,
but Keifer did not appear to understand 1t,
and so trotted down the main aisle to meet
Randall when the latter was coming down
alone They brought Mr.. Carlisle In q mo-
ment and escorted him to the chair. The
Speaker then, before the oath was admin
istered, turned easily toward the House and
made brief speech, so replete with common
sense and modest force as to win the ap-
plause of both sides. Carlisle was as quiet
In his manner in assuming this once as If he
were merely rising to make an ordinary
passing remark. He said:
Gentlemen Of House Of Representatives:
thank you sincerely for the high honor
conferred upon me for the vote Just taken.
To he chosen from the membership of a
great body like this to preside over Its delIb-
erations Is a distinction upon which any citi-
zen might properly congratulate himself,
and can assure you that your kindness
and partiality are fully appreciated. At the
same time realize the fact that the position
to which you have assigned me Is one Of
very great labor and responsibility, and
profoundly grateful to you for this manifes-
tati, OF your confidence, shall enter on
the discharge of its duties with serious dis
trust of my capacity to meet In an accepta-
BILE manner the requirements Of this office.
promise you, however, to devote to your
service all the zeal and all the ability of
| which am possessed.
Gentlemen, the maintenance of order on
1 - II - -N..A-N kN-M