The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-03


A hush Immediately fell on the assembly
and Chaplain Bagby, OF the House, offered
invocation. Under the direction OF Mr..
Kerr, the roll OF members elected TO the
Fifty-fourth House was called. Mr.. Reed.
for whom every one Was fnquiring, had not
made his appearance. Mr.. Kerr announced
that 341 OF the 356 members OF the House
were present, and also that no credentials
had been received from the Tenth New
York and First Nevada districts.
Mr.. Kerr then called for nominations for
Speaker. No nominating speeches were
made Mr.. Grosvenor. chairman of the Re-
publican caucus, placed in nomination Thos.
B. Reed, Of Maine; Mr.. Sayers the name of
Charles f. Crisp, of Georgia. and Mr.. KEN.
the Nebraska Populist, John G. Bell of
Colorado. The names OF both Mr.. Reed
and Mr.. Crisp were vigorously applauded by
their respective party associates. Messrs.
Hopkins, OF Illinois, Loud, Erdman and
Caichinss were appointed tellers and the
roll was called. the Constitution requiring
the election OF Speaker by viva voce vote.
All the Republicans voted for Mr. Reed,
with one exception all the Democrats for
Mr.. Crisp and all the Populists for Mr. Bell.
The exception was Mr.. Grain, a Democrat,
from Texas, who, when his name was
called. voted for his colleague. Mr. Culber-
son, of Texas. The result of the vote was:
Reed. 23i: Crisp. s.; Bell, s; Culberson, /.
Mr. kerrs announcement OF Mr.. Reeds
election was greeted with thunder of APP
piause. Messrs. Crisp, Grosvenor and Bell
were appointed a committee 10 conduct the
Speaker TO the chair and soon appeared at
the main entrance Mr.. Reed, leaning on the
venor and Bell arm in arm. AS they moved
down the center aisle the House rose en-
masse. A roar of applause followed, the gal
leries joining with great enthusiasm in the
demonstration. As Mr.. Reed ascended the
rostrum the roar sweiled until it was deaf
ening. 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 galleries
waved handkerchefs For over minute
the demonstration continued
MIR. REEDS SPEECH.
Mr.. Reed. arrayed in a long frock coat,
and wearing a dark four-in-hand tie, stood
calmly and serenely with his hands clasped
in characteristic fashion behind his back
until the House was quiet. AIr. Harmer, the
oldest member in continuous service pres
ent. came forward and administered the
oath of office to the Speaker. The latter
then turned to the House. Looking into the
sea of upturned faces, he delivered his in
augural Slowly and distinctly the words
fell from his lips. At many places his brief
speech was punctuated with applause. He
said:
1T will not be unbecoming in me, l hope,
if / acknowledge 10 this assembly that il
Is very agreeable to me to stand once more
OF the past however. j shall not speak for
the past speaks for itself in terms more
fitting and appropriate than any words
/ speak of the future, for we not put
| ting off the harness, but putting ii on.
future, in the light of the past. that il we
do something which, for the moment, seems
Inadequate, II 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 ex-
pected to act with wisdom hereafter. I am
sorry to say that the pleasure associated
with the honor you have bestowed on me,
an honor which no American citizen can fail
TO appreciate, and for which give thanks, is
but for the moment; while the cares and
responsibilities extend over many days So
| far the performance of my duties af-
| fects the whole people of the United States
| invoke their considerate judgment So far
as it affects the members OF this House /
| ask from both sides of the chamber that
| cordial cooperation without which / can
| not hope to succeed, assuring them that
| no effort on my pars will be spared to aid
| them in the performe nee Of their duties
by that entire impartialtty which is their
just due.
MEMBERS SWORN IN.
At the conclusion of the Speakers speech
the members came forward in squads as
their names were called. and, with up
lifted arms, swore 10 support and defend
the Constitution against all enemies. for
eign and domestic, and faithfully discharge
the duties of their offices. This proceeding
occupied over half an hour. Unanimous
consent was given that Mr. Newlands, of
Nevada, and Amos Cummings, of New
York, whose credentials had not arrived,
be sworn in. Accordingly Speaker Reed
administered the. oath to those gentlemen.
Without a roll call the officers of the
House nominated by the Republican caucus
Saturday were then formally elected, the
Democrats presenting the names of the
officers of the last House. The swearing
| followed. They are Alexander B. Me-
Dowell of Pennsylvania. clerk; b. f. Rus
B. Glenn. of New York. doorkeeper; Joseph
b. McElroy. of Ohio, postmaster. and
Henry b. Couden, of Michigan, chaplain.
adopted notifying the Peresident and the
Senate of the election of Mr.. Reed and
Mr.. Mcdowell as Speaker and clerk. re-
| committee consisting of Messrs. Payne,
| Cannon, of Illinois, and Crisp was ap-
| pointed by the Speaker TO join a similar
committee from the Senate to. notify the
President that the House had organized
| and was ready to receive any communca-
| ton he had to make.
Cured. Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Crisp crossed
| swords on the formers motion that the
rules OF the Fiftyffrsht st c3ngress 4 abe be adopted
| and Mr. Dingley explaining that the House
was without rules and that the adoption Of
| the pronered motion would furnish only
| temporary rules for guidance of the House
until the committee on rules reported. Mr..
Crisp withdrew. his opposition and the
| seat drawing was then begun
THE SEAT-DRAWING LOTTERY.
| An arrangement was entered into by
| which the Republicans should have the first
| tier OF seats on the Democratic side and
| also the two. last tiers. The names
| OF three hundred and fifty-sx men,
bers were placed in a box and
| shaken up. A blindfolded page drew out
! the ballots and the members selected their
| seats as their names were drawn. According
! to the usual CUSTOM the House granted the
| ex-Speaker, Mr. Crisp, of Georgia, and Mr..
| Grow, of Pennsylvania, the privilege of Sc
| lecting their seats without drawing. Mr..
| Crisp selected a seat in the heart of the
| Democratic minority and Mr.. Grow took a
| seat near the center Of the Republican side.
| The name of Mr.. Mcclure Rep., Ohio), was
| the first drawn from the box Mr.. Owens
| (Dem, Ky), the successor of Mr.. Breckin-
ridge was the second, and Mr.. Perkins
! (Rep., Iowa., the third.
Popular members were applauded as they
| came forward and selected their places and
| the page boys scooted from desk to desk
| conveying floral pieces, sent by admiring
| friends. Before the drawing was half COM
/ plete the array of desks transformed
| into a bower of roses. Among those who
were thus remembered were ex-Speaker
/ Crisp and NIessrs, Hepburn, Iowa; Brom-
| well, Ohio; Henderson. Iowa; Wheeler. Ala