The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-12-08
House of RenrcsenIaIiYe

| WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. Sat precisely
| noon Monday the house was called to order
| by j. B. Clark, the clerk, and the first
session of the Forty ninth congress began.
The chamber presented pleasant scene, The
bright red carpet lending an air of cheeri,
ness and warmth to the hail. which has been
thoroughly renovated since last spring,
while a number of desks, including the
| speakers, We're decorated with baskets of
flowers. Here and there groups of
| members stood chatting and laughing,
| political animosities being set to on,
side for the nonce, while the new
members took advantage of the occasion to
extend their acquaintance among their older
and more experienced colleagues Apart
from the exchange of cordial greetings, tho
chief topic of conversation was the pro
posed change of rules The galleries, as
usual upon the opening day of session of
congress, were crowded with the exception
of the executive gallery which was only
partially filled. The majority of the spec.
tators were ladies.
When order was secured, the clerk pro
ceeded to call the roll of members-elect
When the state of Nebraska was reached,
the clerk stated that he was doubtful
whether the certificate received from that
state fully complied with the law, but as
they were identical with those received in
in the Forty seventh and Forty eighth con-
crosses, and as there was no protest or con
test, he had placed the names of the gentle
men whose election was thus certified, upon
the roll. The roll-call disclosed the presence
of 320 member, the only absentees being
Muller of New York, Henderson of North
Carolina, Aiken of South Carolina, Grain OF
Texas, and Croxten of Virginia.
While the roll call was in progress, a
page walked down the aisle bearing in his
arms huge floral design representing
section of a canal, pavigated by canal
boat, laden with diminutiye bags of grain,
the whole being inscribed "Hennepin," As
he placed it on the desk of Murphy, of
Iowa, the especial champion of the Hen
nepln canal project, the house broke out
into applause and laughter
Nominations for speaker were then in or
der, and Tucker, of Virginia, was recog-
nized, who presented the name of John G.
Carlisle, of Kentucky. Hiscock of New
York, and Cannon of Illinois, then rose,
but the latter was recognized, and placed |
Thomas B. Reed, of Maine, in nomination
Morrison of Illinois, Tucker of Virginia,
Hiscock of New York, and Browne of Indi- |
ana, were appointed Tellers to count the
vote, which was Immediately proceeded
with. The result was announced as follows:
For Carlisle, III; for Reed l3S; and amid |
loud applause the clerk declared Mr. Car
Isle elected, and appointed Messrs Tucker
and Reed as COMMITTEES to conduct the
speaker to the chair
On taking the chair Mr. Carlisle said:
"GENTLEMEN OF THE House OF REPRE-
In assuming the duties and
responsibilities of this place for second
time 1 beg to return my most profound
thanks for this manifestation of your con-
slnued confidence. 1t is compliment
which / shall always remember with pride
and gratitude.
Nowhere else in the world can there be
found a legislative assembly representing so
great constituency as that represented by
this house, and certainly no such body con-
sisting of an equal number of members is its
superior in point Of ability and devotion to
the interests intr1Isted to it. The privilege
If presiding over the deliberations of such a
body is very high and honorable distinc-
-ion-the highest and most honorable it can
,cnfe- on any of its members, and appre-
,iate it as such"
At the conclusion of Mr. Carlisle's speech.
he officers nominated by the caucus on Sat
lrday We're elected by a viva voce vote.
A committee to wait upon the president
vas appointed, and the house then proceeded
% draw for seats. Mr.. Mills, of Texas, asked
unanimous consent that Mr. Kelley, of Penn
ylvania, ''the father of the house. be per-
nitsed to choose his seat in advance, but ,
Dir, Bennett, of North Carolina, objected
logan Looking After Offensive Partisans.
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. SIT is under
TODD that Gen. Logan will take the lead on
he Republican side in opposition to the ,
ontrrnation Of what he conceives to be $
improper nominations He l,as been max
ng Investigations, and has list of all |
removed from cffice BY ths
resent administration Tn. use he will
make of this need not be explained. and his t
riends say that the speech he made in Balti- I
more not long ago was the keynote to his
curse. Several of his intimate friends in
illinois and elsewhere have been suspended t
!