Bismarck weekly tribune., 1889-12-06
Which Was Called to Order at Noon
and Was Organized by the
Election of Officers.
The Republican Caucus.
[AssUorATED PRESS ]

10 O'clock he arrived at the capitol and
took possession of the larger of the two
rooms occupied by the committee on ap-
preparations. There he awaited the coming
of his active lieutenants, Rowell and
Adams of Illinois, who when they arrived
went hard to work in behalf of the Illinois
candidate. Reed was the next candidate
to reach the capitol. He Immediately went
to the hall Of the house and in
his old seat received the good wishes of his
supporters. Mckinley directed his canvass
from the room of the committee on rivers
and harbors, and his chief lieutenant,
Thompson, was active in his efforts to pre-
vent any break in the ranks of the Ohio
man. The Michigan delegation secured
the room Of the committee on naval affairs
for its canvass and Burrows smilingly
welcomed all comers. Henderson of Iowa
was his neighbor. Cannon occupied the
smaller room Of the appropriation commit
tee, and was the recipient of many good
wishes. About ten minutes before IL the
doorkeepers began to clear the. floor Of the
house of all persons not entitled to be
present. Busy newspaper men took their
stations in the corrido dors. The adherents Of
the various candidates who were not mem
bers of congress gathered in and about the
doorways, and a few democrats who had
dropped in to see the skirmishing and
drago0ning of forces preliminary to the
caucus retreated to adjacent committee
rooms. just before the caucus met the air
vast thick with rumors of combinations and
agreements. The whippers.in of the vari-
GUS candidates were laboring earnestly
with the members supposed to be Of doubt
tul dispositions or those who showed a
willingness to trade after a few ballots for
their favorites. But these members were
few in number, comparatively speaking,
and it was surprising to witness the
amount of confidence exhibited by the
leading candidates. Promptly at noon the
caucus was called to aorder by Secretary
McComas. Mr.. Cannon of Illinois, holds
over as chairman of the caucus, but in view
Of his candidacy for the speakership he re.
tired and Mr.. Henderson Of Illinois was
elected chairman: The first business in
order was to call the roll of members.
The roll call developed the presence Of 165
members, four less than the entire republi
can strength in the house. Mr.. Mudd, !,
contestant for MIR. COmptOn's seat from the
Fifth Maryland district, occupied seat on
the floor. but took no part in the proceed
ings. The first business transacted was
the adoption Of resolution that balloting
for speaker should be open.
By direction Of the caucus McCOmas,
the secretary, was intructed to canvass
the votes Of the different candidates
for themselves respectively. By pre-
yious agreement the usual Rrssenta-
nation of speaker was Immediately en-
tered upon. The secretary called the roll
and the result was:
FIRST BALLOT.
Reed 78, Mckinley 80, Cannon q, Bur-
rows 10, Henderson is. 35ys
SECOND BALLOT.
Reed IS, Mckinley S8, Cannon 10, Hen
ders0n IA, Burrows 10. 5s r
The announcement Of the vote which
gave Reed the republican nomination for
speaker was greeted with applause, and
that gentleman returned his thanks in q
neat little speech.
CHIEF CLERK. Ell
The nomination for clerkship being in
order, Edward Mcpherson and John NJ.
Carson, both Of Pennsylvania, were placed
\ in nomination, and Mel PhersOn was elected,
receiving 116 votes to- 80 cast for Carson.
sERGEANT-AT-ARMs. a.t
Over the selection Of Q candidate for
sergeant-at-arms there was hardly any
contest. A. j. Holmes, ex-member OF con-
gress from lows, and a. ii. READ Of Min
nesOta were candidates, and Holmes was
elected TO is,
& THE EDooRKEEPRR.
The contest over the next place. the