Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-12-05
CONGRESS AT WORK
FIRST SESSION or THE FIFTY
FOURTH CONGRESS OPENS.
Thomas ID. Reed. Speaker Of the Fif-
~ First Congress, Is Elected
speaker-But Little Business VIII
BE Done Until Speaker Reed
Names h Committees-The Sem
mt Manner.

Washington, Dec. 3.-The first SEES
sion of the Fifty-fourth congress con-
vened at loon today. The time be-
fore the Christmas holidays is usually
devoted to preliminary matters and
the work Of the session does not be-
gin until after the recess. The new
congress will probably not be an ex-
ception to this rule. The senate pro-
ceedings may be enlivened by an at
tempt at reorganization, but in the
house nothing can be done until the
committees are appointed. Speaker
elect Reed says thai the committees
will not be announced this week with,
perhaps, . single eXception-the COM
mittee 81 rules. This committee
formalates the rules which are to
govern the house during it's session,
and it is customary for the speaker
to name it during the first week in
order that 1t can Immediately begin
its labors. While 1t is believed that
the rules Of the Fifty-first congress,
over which Mr.. Reed presided. will be
reported for the guidance Of the pres
ent house, it is understood that a few
changes will be made as a result of
experience which are designed to still
further improve the house machinery
and the facilitation of public bust
ness. To-day Mr.. Kerr, clerk Of the
last house, called the house to order.
After the roll call the election of the
officers nominated by the Republican
caucus occurred, and as soon as Mr..
Reed was formally installed as speak
er, the drawing of seats, which is
known as the congressional rattle, fol-
lowed. This is a somewhat tedious
but amusing affair, and occupied the
remainder of the afternoon. Adjourn
ments will continue probably until the
committees are announced. This is
the programme, but the unexpected
might ecu as ii so often does IN the
house, If some aspiring melnbers
should introduce a sensational rcSO-
luton for immediate consideration.
The Senate
began work in the usual deliberate
manner The body vas called to or
der by Vice President Stevenson. It is
not probable that the first week of
congress will witness much serious
effort ut legislative work in the son
ate. If anything should be ,Ccom-
pliSlled beyond the receipt of the pres
idGnt'S message AID Of the recess
nominations and the Introduction Of
bills, the session would BE- m 2Xccp-
ton in the history of the senate. The
proceedings Of to-day consisted in the
swearing in Of newly elected members
and the appointment of n committee
to wait upon the president. Follow
ing presidents. the senate will au-
journ in the middle of the week until
the following Monday. one OF two
brief executive sessions for he refer
ence OF nominations are also among
the probabilities for the week.
If the Republicans decide upon an
effort to reOrganiZe as is now general
ly conceded the Democrats will follow
with a conference at which they prob
ably will decide upon Il course CT &C
ton. 1t now appears Drob"6le nat
all three parties will place candidates
for president pro tenn in ne fcld, and
in that event the week "ill br en-
iiraGGa somewhat by q traing'll"' soT-
test for this and other offices + tie
senate.