The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-18
SPEAKER REEDS VIEWS.
He Outlines the Course of the Republican
Majority in Congress.

de OuClineS the CCurSe OIL tn9 AepuDlicau
Majority in Congress.
The business of the Fifty.fourth Congi ~
began at Washington by the holding t NJ
days before the formal opening Of that body
of the caucuses of the Republican and Dem
ocratic members. The meetings were held
in the House wing Of the Capitol. Thomas
B. Reed, Of Maine, was named by the Re-
publican caucus for rhe Speakershlp, and
Charles F. Crisp, OF Georgia, for the same
Office by the Democrats.
Tho first business that engaged the atten-
tion OF the Republican caucus was'the eec-
tion of Chairman. Mr.. Grosvenor, OF
Ohio, and Mr.. Henderson, Of Iowa, were
placed in nomination. Mr.. Grosvenor re.
ceived 15S votes and Mr.. Henderson got a.
Mr.. Hooker, of New York, was elected Secre-
tary by a vote Of 139, Ellis. Of Oregon. re-
ceivlng II votes. .
Mr.. Grow. Of Pennsylvania, as the Oldest
member OF the House, had been selected to
place Mr.. Reed in nomination for the Speak.
ership. When the applause that followed
this nomination had subsidized, Chairman
Grosvenor put the question, and amid
cheers and applause the election was made
unanimously. The Chairman then appointed
a committee, consisting Of Messrs. Grow. OF
Pennsylvania; Payne, OF New York, and Can
non, OF Illinois, to notify Mr.. Reed OF his
nomination. The committee soon appeared
with the man from Maine, who, standing In
the area in front of the Speakers desk, made
his speech of thanks and acceptance.
"Alr. Chairman and gentlemen" said Mr..
Reed. ."for the honor which you have con-
ferred upon me I tender you my sincere
thanks. I am. however, not In the least
liable to confound with my own person
atty this tribute Of your kindness. had
once the good fortune to be so placed that
I represented as we'll as I was able the
patriotic sense OF a great party, and 1t is to
that patriotic sense OF our party that you
tender the tribute o. your maturei rs well
as your temporary approval History W.li
accord US praise for what we did in the
Fify-lrst Congress. and it may accord US
its praise in this for what we do not do.
"We have, unfortunately. a divided Gov
ernment, which usually leads to small re.
suits. But there nre times wien rest is as
health-glying as exercise. We must not for
get that our first and greatest duty is to do
all we can to restore confidence to business,
and that we must avoid all business legisla-
ton except in the direction OF improving
business. ..-
"Rather than run risks we can afforl to
wait until we'll matured plans give US assur-
ances of permanent benefit. Crude and
hasty legislation Is above oil things to be
Stunned. :.
.sCould we cause our immense popular
majority to overflow into other branches OF
the Government, and could we have full
control, we would create not perfect
world, perhaps, but world rather more mt
to live in than we have lately had.
Gwen rs things a-a, I do not 10. mo.
ment doubt that our patriotic instincts vii!
lead US to make every sacrifice except OF
principle to rescue our country from It's tenn
porary disaster.
"Not only have we been elected by tho
overwhelming vote Of the people as their
servants, but as House of Representatives. :
Of which we are the majority. The right to
initiate taxation OF the people is by the Con.
slitution placed in our hands as sacred
trust which we have no right to surrende:
and which all parties. however they d1ner
on other things, will assuredly maintain.
"That VIC shall be ready at all times to
furnish adequate revenue for the Govern
ment according to our sense OF public duty
no man can doubt.
sThis is the great Nation Of this hemis-
phers. and while we have no desire TO inter-
fere with other Nations, we shall maintain
our position here with flrmness and SELF
respect, and at the same time with careful
consideration of facts and that conservatism
of action which shall leave no bad question
to trouble our future. In this 1 trust the
whole Government and all its branches will 1
be in accord with each other and with the
people,"
When Mr.. Reed had finished. George E.
Foss, OF the Seventh Illinois District, pre-
sented Mr.. Reed with new gavel composed
of wood from cherry and apple trees stand,
ing on the grounds in Ashland, the OLD
homestead of Henry Clay, in Kentucky.
IToIn tipc 10
fornia District, said that California also mad
a Savel to present, made OF oak taken from
the old ship Hartford. Farragut's flagship.
Mr.. Reed accepted both OF the gavels with
appropriate remarks.
The caucus also nominated. for Clerk,
Alexander Mcdowell, Of Pennsylvania;
Sergeant at Arms, Benjamin F. Russell, OF
Missouri, and for Postmaster. Joseph G.
McElroy, OF Ohio.
After three roll calls the blind chaplain,
Henry N. Conden, OF Michigan, received q
unanimous.
After the transaction Of some minor husi-
ness the caucus, ut Il quarter after one
o'clock, adjourned after continuous session
OF more than five hours.
The same evening tho Democratic MEM
bers Of the House nominated their candidates
for Speaker and the other House officers. The
Office of the Chairman Of tho caucus being
vacant, Mr.. Sayers, Of Texas. Was
called to the chair, and he presided through
out the meeting. The first thing done was
to elect officers OF the caucus. Mr.. Culber-
son, OF Texas. the senior Democrat in point
Of service, was elected Chairman, in accord
ance with the usual precedent, and Messrs.
Husk, of Maryland. and Robertson, OF Louis
iana were elected Secretaries.
Mr.. Crisp was unanimously rcnominatoi
for Speaker. and all the other old House
officers were placed in nomination. They
are: For Clerk. james Kerr, o. Pennsyl-
vania; for rSrrscant-;lt-Arlns, Herman Snow,
.: Illinois; ioc Doori;ccprr, A. Z. Hurt, OF
Mississippi: 70: Po:i.nas,ar, john Y. Epss,
oi 5Ia:ylaad, i.nh 70: Chaplain, L. B. Ba:1y,