Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-03
SCENES In CONGRESS.
Talk Among YirsinianS and North Caro-
linianS al the Opening.
Mr. Tucker Thinks Democratic MI
nority strong Enough to Prevent
Return to Legislation OF Most Ex-
trcmeIy Radical sort.

WASHINGTON. d. c.. December q
cial)-The Republican attraction at
the Capitol this morning. Notwithstanding
exceedingly inclement weather drew a
large crowd. All the galleries. including
the Executive, Diplomatic. and Judicial
ores Of both houses, were well filled, and
all the approaches were packed. The
House was the scene Of the greatest In
ierest. and there the crowd was densest
Shortly before u o'clock the floor was
cleared Of all but members, and soon az
terwards the proceedings were opened
with prayer and the call OF the roll by
the old Clerk.
The election Of Speaker. which followed,
was attended by no special incident, ex-
cent that the Maine man was vigorously
auplauded by the Republicans when he
was conducted to the chair, and also at
the close OF his brief speech. When ex-
Speaker Crisp's name was called the
Democrats accorded him a warm greet
ing. and Just az vigorous n hand-clapping
as that given TO Mr.. Reed.
After the election Of the House officers,
there was a debate on the adoption OF
rules. I'm which Mr.. Meredith took lead
ing part.
LUCK AS TO SEATS.
The drawing Of seats. quite an interest
ing ceremony. took place later Mr.. Crisp,
bv courtesy. was accorded his choice, and
he took a seat in the middle OF the right
section Of the hall. Mr.. Elicit has a seat
almost I'm front OF Mr.. Crisp, and one OF
the best in the chamber. Major Otey's
seat Is close 10 that Of Mr.. Elicit, and
Mr.. fuckers is in the same section, and
not far off.
Mr.. Settle. Of North Carolina. is on
the left far back. and in the Republican
stronghold.
Mr.. Elicit was honored with a bouquet
which, when placed on his desk, COM
pletely hid him from view.
Senator Martin Of Virginia, was present
in the Senate. was sworn I'm, and was
gwen a good seat. Senator Daniel was
also present in the Senate Chamber, and
occupied his old seat.
All the remaining members Of the VIZ
ginia and North Carolina delegations got
eligible seats in the House, but. of course
there will be considerable trading later,
when members settle down TO work, ana
choose their companions for the session.
HOME MEMBERS PUNCTUAL.
All the Virginia members were on the
floor OF the House long before the hour
of opening. Handshaking and introduc-
tions were in order, and there was a
hum of voices ascending to the galleries
that resembled the combined noise OF
several saw-mills Members Of the press
and others who had gained admittance
to the floor struggled and tugged and
pulled through the aisles and seats, max
ing new acquaintances and seeking in
terviews. There was little 10 be gained
in the news lines. as every member was
at sea as to legislation, committee fram-
ing. or even a programme.
General Wake was found taking X
easy in a chair on one OF the aisles di-
rectly in front and a little To the left OF
the Speakers chair. lie greeted the Dis
patch correspondent quite cordially, and
said. with a hearty laugh. You can rely
on the Republican delegation from Nir-
ginia's always being solid" and. as If
TO emphasize the remark. shifted his
two hundred and odd pounds OF avoirdu-
pois 50 as to make himself more COM
Portable.
He said some friend asked Mr. Reed to
place him on certain committees without
his knowledge. and that Mr. Reed in
quired what General Walkers age was,
and whether he could do the work Gene
raj Walker upon being informed Of this
circumstance thanked his friend for his
gratuitous services. and added: you
can tell Mr.. Reed that, as big as he is.
if he comes out / can knock him out I'm
less than four rounds" and the General
laughed heartily at his joke.
THE DEMOCRATS.
Representatives Tucker, Swanson, Mere
dith, Jones. McKenney, Elicit. Meredith,
ri.
on the right Of the hall during the morn
ing chatting pleasantly with each other
and everybody that came along. Messrs.
Elicit and Otey, being new members had
to undergo a constant flow OF introduce
tions, which they submitted TO very grace
fully.
Speaking OF the coming session. Mr..
Tucker said with a small but COM
pact and aggressive minority We can
make things pretty Lively for the Re-
publicans this winter. They may say
what they choose about the legislation
Of the Fifty-th'rd Congress having some
thing TO do with the alleged hard times
We repealed the Sherman law: we re-
pealed the Mckinley law. and we re-
pealed the Federal election law. Now. I
would like TO see them re-enact any of
these laws for the betterment Of the con-
ditiOn of the country. | venture TO say
they won't attempt anything Of the
kind, and it remains to be seen what
they will do to relieve the distress they
talk so much about"
STILL A CUCKOO.
Returning through one Of the aisles
brought me again near the seat OF Gene
raj Walker. when Mr. Tarsney. OF Mis-
souri, happened 20 drop by. Asked by an
old acquaintance if he was still of the
same political faith. he said: "Oh. yes.
I'm still q Cuckoo. Right or wrong. Pm
a Cuckoo. / would prefer him" (meauing
Cleveland Ito be right, but right or
wrong. I'm with him. and still Cuckoo"
Amt that right, old boy?" addressing
General Walker.
Il suppose it's all right with you, but
can't say that I'm with you," said the
General.
We'll, I'm sorry for YOU" said Tarsney,
and he walked of.
SPEAKER RYAN
Speaker John +. Ryan. Of the Virginia
House OF Delegates. passed through the
city Yesterday on his way TO Richmond.
He had read Mr. Reeds speech before the
Republican caucus, and said IT was cha
racteristic OF the man, and that he was
evidently playing his own hand for the
presidential nomination.
LAMBS CHOICE.
Colonel Lamb. chairman OF the Virginia
Republican State Committee. etc. is still
here. at Chamberln's. In an interview
with your correspondent ne said that he
was neither a Mckinley nor Reed man.
He intends to look strictly after the in
terests OF the party in Virginia. and win
al once begin 10 reorganize IL. He will
not declare for any nominee for the presi-
of n no rtu ha
made known its choice OF candidates.
Reeds caucus speech, he thought. was a
politlcal gem. in II. he said, he outlined
. IL. that II STRICTLY adhered TO win