The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-05
FROM WASHING ron.
fSnecial Corresoondencel

Special Correspondence)
Washington, D. G. Dec. 2. 1886.
Mr.. Harrison's message was read
in both Houses Of Congress today.
It is too early TO say what is thplTbt
Gift, as few members pay close
enough attention to the reading of q
message in the House or Senate to
care to express an opinion u?on It;
they prefer to read it over carefully
afterwards. But it certainly was hot
received with any enthusiasm by the
republicans. That much could be
plainly seen by any person that at
tended the opening of Congress.
Gen. ClarE, the clerk Of the last
House, called the new House to
order at noon today. and he Is prob>
ably the last democrat who will
have the honor Of presiding, even
temporarily, over the House until
the first Monday Ia December, 1891,
when a democratic Speaker is again
expected To be elected.
Mr.. Reed has been mads Speaker
because it is believed By the republi-
can leaders that be can be relied
upon to get the best Of the minority
in their efforts to maintain their
rights in the Hoase. He is not ex-
pected to do this by his superior
knowledge Of parliamentary tactics !,
but by arbitrary decisions. There
will be exceedingly lively times in
, the House when he attempts to
deprive the democrats Of any Of their
rights.
The newspaper correspondents
are heartily glad that the speaAership
farce is ended. They were required
by their papers to telegraph daily
, accounts OF the fight, when there was
no fight. There has been no time
within the last three months when
. the fact was not perfectly plain to
an impartial observer that Reed
o would be speaker. There were two
I reasons for che exaggerated newspa-
per accounts OF the alleged contest.
+ One was opposition to Reed and the
I hope that real contest might be
brought about by the sham publica
o. tions, and the other WAS the desire
G on tue part OF the correspondents to
earn their salaries.
4 The democratic caucus to nomi,
nate House officers was called for
t last Friday night, but owing to the
Y absence Of a quorum, was postponed
i until this morning at 10 o'clock W hen
q Mr.. Carlisle received the nomination
e for Speaker and all Of the old House
r officials were renominated. No other
o business was transacted By the eau.
Q Gus.
O The question Of who shall be
| chairman OF the ways and means
l. com mittee Of the House is going t.
i make hard feelings on the part oil
some OF the republicans. Mr.. W
O D. Keely Of Pennsylvania. thinks he
/ is entitled to it, but 1t is almost Ger
c tain that Speaker Reed Will give il
n to Mckinley of Ohio.
The usual hustling and bustlins
crowd Of men and women atten lee
l. the opening OF Congress today. /
IT is an annual show that hundreds 0
1t Washington people attend regularly
b | saw faces in the galleries today
"a that have seen there on the frs
1t Monday in December for twelvr
a years psst. Attending the opening
II Of Congress and shaking hands viii
n every President is positive mani
st with lots OF folks here.
~ The new House officials are, Rec,
in of Maine, Speaker; Mcpherson O
al Pennsylvania, Clerk; Holmes, O
K Iowa, Sergeant alarms; Adams, O
ar Maryland, Door-Keeper Wheat 0
y Wisconsin, Postmaster. and Rev
b. G. r. Ramsdell, District OF Colu nbi
er Chaplain.
Id Hon. Samuel j. Randall was i
so his seat at the ope Mug of Congress
but his looks tell that be is far fror