The herald., 1893-08-08
CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.
Opening of the Special session-Orgar
zation of the House.


Opening of the Special session-Orgsni-
zation of the House.
WASHINGTON, Aug. THE extra ses'
sion OF congress assembled at noon. Its
assembling is of special interest because
for the first time in third of century
the Democratic party is in control OF all
departments, and because the national
legislature is convened to deal with one
of the gravest questions which has con-
fronted the nation since the civil war.
While the responsibility for results Is on
{. the Democrats, it is also true that the
questions ct Issue will not be fought on
strict party lines, as the parties are di-
vided on it geographically, rather than
politically. The anomaly is shown OF
men on each side of the free coinage
proposition in the ranks OF the Demo-
Gratis, Republicans, Populists and
Greenbackers alike. This was fruit-
ful theme of discussion while the men,
bers were assembling, and there were
many congratulations that the fight had
been taken out of the domain of strict
party politics. with the likelihood that it
would be discussed more nearly in the
light of reason.
The first thing in assembling in both
houses was the reading OF the presi-
dents proclamation convening congress-
in extra session. This was followed by
. call Of the names of members elected.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
In the senate after the reading of the
proclamation calling congress together,
Quay of Pennsylvania and Psscoe OF
Florida were sworn in.
A communication from Beckwith OF
Wyoming was read saying he had
placed his resignation in the hands OF
the governor.
Committees were appointed to notify
the house and the president that the
senate was in session. Then the death
OF Senator Stanford of California was
communicated to the senate by White
of that state, and as a mark of respect
the senate adjourned till tomorrow.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
When Michigan was reached in call
ing the roll of the house, the clerk
stated that since the credentials Of
Richardson, of the fifth district, were
received and entered on the roll, there
had been change of state officers and
these had gwen q certificate to Belknap.
The clerk added that he refused to
strike out Richardson's name and now
left the matter in the hands of the
house. Three hundred and sixty-eix
members were found present.
The clerk then announced that the
election of Q speaker was next in order.
Holman placed Crisp in nomination !;
Henderson, of Illinois, named Tom Reed
in behalf OF the Republicans. ----
OF Nebraska nominated Jerry Simpson
on behalf of the Populists. The tellers
took vote resulting: Crisp 214, Reed
122, Simpson Z. Crisp was declared
elected amid great applause and was
conducted to the chair by his late op-
ponents.
Assuming the chair, Crisp thanked
the house for the honor and promised to
discharge his duties with fidelity,
courtesy and impartiality. The oath
was then administered by O'Neill of
Massachusetts.
The speaker then administered the
oath to the members, Richardson OF
Michigan, on objection by Burrows.
Republican, being requested to stand
aside till the house was fully organized.
After the, others had taken the oath
O'Ferrall OF Virginia offered resolution
that Richardson be sworn in. Burrows
offered resolution for the swearing in
OF Belknap on the ground that Richard
sons credentials had been annulled by
the supreme court OF the state. Action
on both was postponed until Tuesday.
The officers of the house nominated
by the Democratic caucus OF Saturday,
were then elected and sworn in.
A committee was appointed to notify
the president that the house was organ
lied and ready to hear from him.
After the drawing for seats was con-
cluded it was ordered that the daily
hour of meeting be IL M.
O'Ferrall gave notice that tomorrow,
immediately after the reading of the
Journal, he would call up the Michigan
prima facie election case. Adjourned.