Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-12-07


that the speaker would touch upon
questions to be dealt with.
PAYNE AS LEADER.
EX-Speaker Crisp assumed the lead
ership of the minority and it was sig
nificant that Mr.. Payne of New York
made the motion which usually de-
wolves upon the leader Of the majority
This is taken to mean that he is to
be chairman of the ways and means
committee and recognized leader Of the
republicans on the floor.
CALLED TO ORDER.
BY 10 o'clock the marble corridors OF
the hall Of representatives were throng-
ed with sightseers and place hunters,
and before II o'clock the galleries, pub
lie and private, were packed to the
doors. Flowers were conspicuous on
the desks of various members. AS the
hands of the clock pointed to IL, Clerk
Kerr called the Fifty-fourth house of
representatives to order. Rev. Bagby
Of this city, chaplain of the house, Of
fered the invocation. Under the direc-
ton Of Mr. Kerr, the roll of members
elected to the Fifty-fourth house was
called. Mr.. Reed, for whom every one
was inquiring, had not made his APP
pearance. Mr.. Kerr announced that
Sal of the 356 members Of the house
were present and that credentials had
not been received from the Tenth New
York and the First Nevada districts.
Mr.. Kerr then called for nominations
for speaker Mr.. GrOsvenOr, repub
lican, of Ohio, chairman of the repub
lican caucus, placed in nomination
Thomas B. Reed of Maine; Mr.. Sayres,
democrat Of Texas, named Charles S.
Crisp Of Georgia, and Mr.. KEN, popu
list, John c. Bell of Colorado.
The result of the vote was: Reed
234, Crisp 95, Bell 6, Culberson 1.
Messrs. Crisp, Grosvenor and Bell
were appointed a committee to con-
duct the speaker to the chair, and soon
appeared at the main entrance, Mr..
Reed leaning on the arm Of eX-Speaker
Crisp and Messrs. Grosvenor and Bell
arm in arm. AS Mr.. Reed assembled the
rostrum the roar swelled until it was
deafening. Above this volume of sound
came like pistol shots cries of Reed,
Reed, Reed" The republicans cheered,
many of them wildly, and the ladies
in the gallery waived handkerchiefs
Reed stood calmly and serenely, with
his hands in characteristic fashion be-
hind his back until the house was quiet.
Mr.. Harmer, republican, of Pennsyl-
vania, the Oldest member in cOntinu-
Gus service present, came forward and
administered the oath of office to the
speaker. The latter then turned to the
house and delivered his inaugural.
Slowly and distinctly the words fell
from his lips. At many places his
brief speech was punctuated with APP
plause.
MIR. REEDS SPEECH.
1T will not be unbecOming in me,
I hope, if I acknowledge to this as
sembly that it is very agreeable to
me to stand once more in the place /
left four years ago. Of the past, how
ever, I shall not speak, for the past
speaks for itself in terms more fitting
and appropriate than any words which
could come from my lips. Nor shall /
speak of the future, for we are not
putting off harness, but putting it on.
Yet l think I may venture to say of the
future, in the light of the past, that
if we do something which for the mo-
ment seems inadequate, it may be that
time, which has justified itself for us
on many occasions, may do so again.
Those who have acted with wisdom
heretofore may be fairly expected to
act with wisdom hereafter. / am sorry
to say the pleasure associated with the
honor you have bestowed on me, an
honor no American citizen can fail to
appreciate and for which I give
thanks, is but for moment, while the
cares and responsibilities extend over
many days. SO far as the performance
OF my duties affects the whole people
Of the United States, I invoke their
considerate judgment. So far as it af-
fects the members of this house, I ask
from both sides of the chamber that
cordial cooperation without which l
cannot hope to succeed. assuring them
that no effort on my part will be spared