Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-08-08
SD CONGRESS-.
Extraordinary Session Called
to Order Monday Noon.
Mr.. Crisp Reelected Speaker--The
Members-EIect Sworn in.


W 8A>hiNeIoN. aug. s--At nooGs NAcfh
Kerr of The House of Representative
called the members to order. and the extra
ordinary session Of the 5Si Congress be.
gan. Clerk Kerr read the Presidens's
proclamation, summoninz Congress TO con-
vens, then called the roll. Three hundred
and thirty-six members responded. The
clerk announced that more than q quorum
was present and that the first business IN
order was election of Speaker.
Holman of Indiana. as chairman Of the
Democratic caucus, put in nomination
Crisp Of Georgia. Then Thomas r. Reed
of Msine Was placed in nomination by
Henderson of Illinois, chairman Of the Re
publican caucus Mention Of Reeds name
vas greeted with Republican applause.
KEN of Nebraska, amid general laughter.
speaking for the Third party, presented the
name of Jeremiah Simpson of Kansas.
Nominations were then closed. The vote
resulted For Crisp, sl+; for Reed, l22
for Simpson. :.
The announcement was greeted with loud
applause. Holman. Reed and Simpson
were appointed committee to escort the
Speaker to the chair and as the distin-
gulshed gentleman entered the main door,
leaning upon the arm of Holman, the men,
bers broke into cheers. Crisp assumed the
gavel and in a clear but moved voice,
said
Representative, profoundly grateful
for this mark of your confidence, shall
try 10 be in some degree worthy Of il BY
honest efforts TO discharge the duties Of the
Office on which | am about TO enter. with
fidelity, with courtesy, and the striciest im-
partisliiy." tApplsuse-) Il am now ready
to take the osth of office.
The oath was administered by the father
of the House. O'Neill of Pennsylvania.
Prayer vas offered by the blind chaplain of
the last House, Rev. DR.. Millburn. The
work OF administering the oath of Office TO
the members-elect was entered upon 10
squads of two dozen, they. a. their names
were called, took q stand in the area in
front of the Speakers desk and were
sworn.
There Was one hitch in the proceedings,
that being when George +. Richardson was
called As representative-elect from the fifth
Michigan district. Burrows objected TO
the oath being administered 10 this gentle
man. He asked that according to custom,
Richardson be asked TO stand aside for the
present. This course was pursued.
the other members o'Ferrall Of Virgins
offered resolutions declaring that George +.
Richardson be now sworn in as representa-
tive from the ffth district of Michigan.
Mr.. Burrows moved as substitute
resolution reciting that the certificate
given Mr. Richardson had been
annulied and made void by the rea-
son of the judgment of the supreme
II
had declared and certified that Charles Z.
Belknsp Was duly elected, and declares
said Belknsp entitled to be sworn in on
prims facie case. An agreement was ar
rived at by which each side will be allowed
an hours debate.
At the suggestion of Oates Of Alabama,
the subject was postponed until after the
organization of the House.
Then Democratic officers were elected
as follows; James Kerr, clerk; II. W.
Snow, sergeaDt-at-arms A. b. HURT, door
keeper, Lycurgus Dalton, post master;
Samuel Hidaway, chaplain. The Republi-
can slate was voted down without division.
I he clerk was directed to inform the
President and Senate that Chales +. Crisp
mad been elected Speaker and James Kerr,
clerk. A committee was appointed to ~sit
upon the President and inform him that the
House was organized and ready to receive
any communication he might see fit TO
transmit.
Then the House proceeded to the draw
ing for seats. kilgore of Texas suggested
that some arrangement be made as TO what
part Of the chamber be reserved for the
Republican forces. Reed of Maine re-
sponded that it had been the custom in
many Congresses for the Republicans TO
take one side of the chamber and the Dem
ocrsts the other. In case of inequality Of
numbers, which unfortunately now existed,
laughter the party which was then more
numerous, took additional seats on its oppo-
nent's side after its own side was filed.
Members were requested to retire behind
the screens while blindfolded page drew
from a box marbles numbered to cores
pond TO the members numbers on tie roll
call.
Mr.. Reed by virtue of his being ex
Speaker, and Holman and O'Neill by virtue
of their long service were permitted to Sc
lect their seats in advance. Mr.. Reed
selected his old restin place TO the left of
the Speaker, well in line TO catch the
Speakers eve. When the drawing for the
seats was concluded it was ordered that the
daily hour for the meeting of the House
should be ~.
Mr.. Grosvenor OF Ohio announced the
death of his colleague, Mr.. Enochs, and a
mark of respect to the memory OF the de
ceceased the House adjourned until iomor-