The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-12-07
SOLONS REASSEMBLE
Members Of the Fifty-seoond Con-
gresS Return to the Capital.
THE OPENING CEREMONIES THERE

ATTRACT Largo Number of People,
The Day Spent in Organization
and Allotment OF Seats-rhe Com
tested Election Gases VIII Not
Number More Than Half Dozen.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE great strug-
gle of Saturday over the speakership
proved drawn battle. After seventeen
ballots had been taken. the caucus hav-
ing been in session nearly ten hours, an
adjournment was taken shortly before
midnight until 10 o'clock this morning
by an agreement entered into by the
managers Of the respective candidates.
The vote on the first ballot was: Crisp,
80; Mills, 7e; Springer, SO; McMillin, 10;
Hatch, IA; Stevens, 1. At adjournment
the vote stood: Crisp, 94; Mills, 81;
Springer, 10; McMillin, II; Hatch, 5;
Stevens, /. All the other candidates
for the clerkship Of the house withdraw
to make Representative Kerr's nomi-
nation unanimous.
The Republican members Of the house
met and gave their complimentary vote
TO ex-Speaker Reed.
The Fifty-second Congress.
Promptly at noon today the stars and
strips fluttered to the breeze from the
Btaffs on the east and west wings Of the
Capitol and the Fifty-second congress
began its first session.
BY II o'clock everybody in town
seemed to be moving over against the
Capitol on foot, i'll cars and cabs and
vehicles of every description. Pennsyl-
vanta avenue, the great thoroughfare,
looked like panorama of moving
celebrities. And yet there was not
room inside tho mammoth building for
half the number that wanted to witness
the opening ceremonies. The corridors
were jammed an hour before noon, and
to reach door leading into either the
house or the senate required not only
perseverance,, patience and strong Ian
guage, but the practical application Of
gymnastics. .
The scene In the house presented nm
animated picture. The galleries were
packed, and at fifteen minutes before
noon, when the sergeant at arms an
nounced that the time had arrived for
those not entitled to privileges on the
hoor to retire, standing room was at o
premium. A good many new faces ap-
peared in the throng of members elect,
but there was sufficient number of fa-
niliar figures to remind the spectators
OF old times.
Electing a Speaker.
As the hands of the great clock oppo-
site the speakers desk marked the
hour of IL, Edward Mcpherson,
clerk of the last house, appeared at
the clerks desk and called the house to
order. The roll of members elect was
called by states, and quorum respond
ing the election of speaker was proceeded
with Tho raut11ur
were presented, four tellers were ap-
pointed and the roll call was completed
without noteworthy incident
The election being over and the oath
OF office administered, renewed applause
broke forth as the newly elected speaker
Ascended the stairs and grasped the
gavel. In few well chosen words he
thanked the house for the honor con-
ferred, pledged himself to fidelity and
impartiality and invoked the assistance
and forbearance of the members.
Then the members were rapidly sworn
In. the oath being administered to them
In squads and battalions.
The Senate.
The senate being a continuous body,
no reorganization was necessary today. |
Nevertheless large crowd was drawn
To the galleries, anxious to behold the
Induction into office of a number of new
senators who have achieved fame in
other fields, The spectators gratifed
their curiosity by ogling the patriarchal
BPetter, .Adoniss Gibson, of Maryland, |
7khe austere ex-Secretary Proctor and
bland and demure ex-Secretary Villas.
Senator Sherman appeared and held
quite leyee. Members from both sides
OF the chamber shook his hand and ques-
toned him concerning his prospects of
reelection.
Sharply at noon Vice President Nor
ton raped for order, and the chaplain
of the senate offered q brief PRAYER,
Then the new senators were sworn in
and committees were appointed to wait
on tIe house of representatives and to
inform the president that congress was
in session and ready to receive any COM
munication he might wish to make. A
recess was taken to await the report of
these committees.
With the opening of congress today
the senate received seventeen new men,
bers. Two years ago but six new men
took seats. The new senators represent
good deal of diverse talent. AT least
none is millionaire; another is physi-
clan; several are printers; one o clergy
man; number are lawyers. They rep
resent politically all shades of belief;
. more motley crowd in this respect was
never before seen.
The Presidents Message.
There is very little likelihood that the
presidents message will be delivered to
congress this afternoon. 1t will proba-
bly, be sent to the Capitol on Tuesday.
This is the usual custom. The house Of
representatives always devotes the first
day of new congress to organization
and allotment of seats. 1t Is thought
the message would not have proper at
tention If it were sandwiched between
other business on the opening day.