Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-12-09
WASHINGTON GOSSIP

| Evening Wisconsin.-The opening OF
Congress is great day for Washington.
EVERYBODY foeks to the capitol and il
they cannotget into the galleries they
stand around in the corridors and see
the lawmakers go in and come out.
There is always a big jam, but it is said
that the crowd this year was larger
than ever before. Congress does not con-
vene until II o'clock, but people crowd
ded the galleries as early as 10 O'Clock LII
the morning and sat there patiently I'M
till the adjournment was taken shortly
before o'clock There seemed to bemore
ladies in the galleries than there was
men, and many were the handsome GUS
tones worn. 1t looked little odd to
see gentlemen in evening dress sitting on
the capitol steps but this is the way
they do things i'll Washington. The la.
dies followed proceedings closely and
when applauding was in order they did
their share of 1T.
Even people who have seen it time
and again find something very interest,"
ing about the first days session and for
a newcomer it is highly entertaining.
The floor is open to the public till short
~ before the opening of the session, and
people crowd into the Hobbies. Half all
hour before the opening an official cries
out: "Time to clear the foor!" And
the spectators are gently pushed into the
corridors. The members come in and by
II O'Clock the chamber is full. The
clerk of the preceding House calls the
body To order and the organization pro-
ceeds. 1t is a formal matter, the caucas
of the dominant party electing the oM-
GERS, but it is interesting. When the
roll has been called the clerk asks for
nominations. Each party names it's
candidate for speaker and each is greeted
by applause by his side of the House.
When John G. Bell, the Populist candi-
date, was placed i'll nomination, his
name was greeted with laughter because
it was surprise and such Il hopeless
proceeding. He got six votes. -Four
tellers are appointed, but they count no
votes. The clerk calls the roll and the
members respond with their choice The
clerk hands one of the tellers slip with
the result and then The teller, with
great formality, notifies the clerk OF tile
result.of the ballot just as though lie did
not know it all ready, the clerk reads it
to the House and the House cheers.
The speaker is escorted to the chair
and there is great cheering. He makes
ing. Mr. Reeds speech was listened to
with great interest because it was ex
pected that he would outline the policy
Of the Republican party, but he spoke
briefly and all that could be made out of
his remarks was that the Republican,
party had done what was right in the
past and could therefore be expected to
do what was right i'll the future. After
the speaker is elected and the members
form in squads, q Republican offers a
resolution electing the officers named i'll
the caucas and Democrat offers anoth-
or to substitute the Democratic slate.
The Republicans being III power, the
Democratic resolution is lost and the or
iginal resolution is adopted. Then the
officers are sworn in and q lot more res
olutions adopted to notify the Senate
and the President that the House is
ready for business, ETC., etc.