The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1891-12-12
Looks In on the Beginning
OF TIKI NEW CONGRESS AND SIZES UP
Some Of the New Mem
berS.
THE GALLANT CRISP GETS THE
SPEAKERSHIP.
Sherman and Hoar as Usual Want to
Throw Out Democratic Senators.
A Touching Tribute to the Late Warren
Pierce.


Long before 10 o'clock the capitol
corridors and stairways leading to
the House galleries were thronged
with swaying mass of humanity,
but not till after IL were the doors
opened, and then a wild rush was
made for seats Reserve tickets we're
of no use unless you got there before
the seats were taken. The interest
all seemed to center about the House
and the prospective Speaker. Only
one of our party succeeded in getting
in, the rest of rs made our way to
witness the more decorous if less ex-
citing proceedings Of the Senate open
ing. There the galleries we're only
comfortably fall except the Diplo-
matte in which only two occupants
appeared. Mrs. Morton and her five
healthy looking daughters were seat
ed on the cushioned bench, set apart
,1or the Vice Presidents family in the
Private Senate gallery where we were.
She is a rarely handsome woman in
spite Of Or perhaps-on account Of
her gray hair.
For a half hour there was buzz
of conversation, on the floor and a
furore Of hand shaking among mem
bers. old and new, then at I'm. Vice
President Morton sounded the call
for the 52nd Congress to come to
order, the Chaplain prayed and then
an expectant hush fell over the as
sembly, then the clerk read the resig-
nations of Edmunds and Reagan.
Hoar arose and called into question
the constitutionality of the election
of the Senators sent by Florida and
Texas and Sherman let out war
whoop in regard to Brice, of Ohio.
| believe they mean to claim thai he
is a citizen of New York, and hence
not eligible as Senator for Ohio.
1t is likely that there will be three
contested seats at least and perhaps
four. 1t stands at present As Re.
publicans, 81 Democrats and 3
Farmers Alliance men. PETER, of
Kansas, is an alliance man with Re
publican leanings and Senator Irby,
the alliance man who. takes Wade
Hampton's seat will probably train
with the Democrats.
There were IL new Senators sworn
in. They came to the Speakers desk
escorted by their colleagues in re
lays of tours, took the oath and then
registered their names and received
congratulations. David b. Hill
probably attracted the most atten
tion He is tall dark fine looking
man, 4S years of age with easy man
ners and graceful carriage.
Two of the new Senators have been
promoted from the house by appoint
ment to serve out terms cut short by
death. FELTON, of California takes
Hurst's seat, He was a member of the
49th Congress and is Golden Gate
millionaire Chas. III. Gibson, of In
diana, takes the seat vacated by the
death of the late Senator Wilson. He
will be on the Democratic side what
Roscoe Conkling was so long on the
Republican side-the professional
beauty of the Senate end of the Cap
itol. He resembles Conkling some
what in face and manner and carries
himself as proudly. He is 40 years
of age and native of Queen Anne
county, Maryland. There are two
ex-cabinet members in the present
Senate Redfield Proctor, of Vermont,
late Secretary of War under Harri
son and w. F. Villas, of Wisconsin,
Cleveland's popular Postmaster Gen
eral
Villas is one of the silver tongued
orators Of the West. His speech at
the Grant banquet in 1880 made him
famous. He is popular with South
ern Democrats and is spoken Of as
Vice Presidential possibility. Gen.
John M. Palmer, of Illinois, is a
Douglas Democrat. He is sturdy
looking well preserved man, but will
be upwards OF 80 when he completes
his term.
Clagett who will contest the Idaho
senatorial seat with Dubois is a
Marylander He served IN the 42nd
Congress as delegate from Montana
and originated the bill establishing
Lei d. IL