Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-12-06
OPENING INCIDENTS
Noted on the Floor of the Pop.
ular House.
THE GREETING AND HANDSHAKING

Contest--Reed Knew How 1t Would Go
-McCann's Novel Distinction-Bills to
Open the Worlds Fair Sunday, to Issue
Bonds to Pay Deficiencies, and to Repeal
the Election Law-Wanamaker's Ideal
Postal service-Estimates of Expenses
Gen. Rosecrans Worse.
WASHINGTON, Dec ct was an interest
ing occupation to watch the floor of the
house yesterday during the time in which
the members were assembling and until the
brief session was ended by adjournment.
Members greeted each other generally,
whether fellow partisans or bitter oppo-
nents of each other, with great warmth. Oc-
casionally would be seen movement of
members towards one place where some
member prominent in some way had
Just made his appearance, and then there
would be a spell of handshaking in which
the new arrival would get much the worst
of it, Notwithstanding the good will of the
shakers.
Watson and Jerry Simpson.
Tom Watson, self-confident as ever,
closely followed by Jerry Simpson, took
his seat early, and with him of sockless
fame returned thanks for the greetings
they received. Watson looked bit crest
fallen over his defeat though he declares
he will win in the contest Uncle Lewis
Steward, of Illinois, is the only member
with a contest on his hands who hopes the
contest will result favorably for his oppo-
nent. II didn't want to come back" he
said. 81 told them not to renominate me.
But they did. The returns show my de-
feat by seventeen votes, and my constitu-
ents want me to contest. They can contest
If they want to, and believe they will win.
but | am not going to do anything about
it, for I've had enough of congress 1t
amt what it's cracked up to be-"
Tom Reed on the Hindsight.
Tom Reed, little thinner than usual.
numbered into his house and to his seat.
laying his loss of flesh to grief over the re-
suit of the general election, although he
said, II had no doubt from the first of the
way it was going" Tim Campbell, from
"de Ate" OF New York, put in an early APP
pearance, wearing as usual a fresh white
tie and Prince Albert suit OF black All
of the Chicago members were on the ground
early-all save Newberry. SO far as could
v.
Colonel Alb Taylor, looking a little fatter
than when he left, was the first on hand.
He said he felt uncommonly well and the
improvement was doubtless due, he said.
to his satisfaction at not having to serve
longer than the present term.
The Distinction of Tom Mccain.
Mccain, clean shaver and spruce, came
next. He was spied as he entered the door,
and there was rush for him, and for a
half hour he was subjected to steady con-
CALCULATIONS upon being reelected by a
larger majority than that received by any
other member except Judge Culberson
from Texas, who had no opponent. Then
came Durborow, his cheeks aglow with
health and happiness. 1t seemed for time
as if he would be smothered with congrat-
ulations, and when it was over his collar
was wilted with perspraticn. To Durbor-
ow belongs the honor of introducing the
first bit of Worlds fair legislation 1t was
a resolution to repeal the Sunday closing
clause of the Worlds fair bill, and it was
promptly referred.
Flowers for the Senator's
There were many representatives who
were favored with floral tributes, but the
senate was regular conservatory. The
display has probably never been surpassed.
The vice president led in the show with a
huge basket of pinks, roses, violets, and
ferns-the gift of admiring friends. The
desk of Gibson of Louisiana was weighted
with a superb basket of pinks and yellow
rosesza touching tribute, as the senator
now lies dangerously i'll at Hot Springs,
Ark The most striking tribute was that
to Wolcott. He found his desk completely
hidden by crate of blooming rose trees,
bearing the card and good wishes of his
"DOlitical admirers" German received
roses from the Maryland Democratic club
o. the District of Columbia Voorhees,,
pink, yellow, and red roses; Dolph, bouquet
OF roses; Mitchell, white and yellow chrys.
anthemums; Hiscock, basket of red roses
Washburn, basket Of pink roses. Tributes
were also made to Cockrell, Hawley, Villas
Hansbrough, Pasco. Proctor, Henderson
Pettigrew, Call, and others.