The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-03

mittee and the recognized leader of the
republicans on the floor.
Speaker A. 4. Reed.
BY 10 o'clock the marble corridors of
the hall of representatives were
thronged with sightseers and place
hunters. and before IL o'clock the gal
leries. public and private. were packed
to the doors. Flowers were conspicu-
ous on the desks of various members.
As the hands of the clock pointed to
IL. Clerk Kerr called the Fifty-fourth
house of representa- atives to order. Rev.
MIR. Bagby Of this city. chaplain of the
house. offered the invocation. Under
the direction of Mr.. Kerr the roll of
members elected to the Fifty-fourth
house was called. Mr.. Reed, for whom
everyone was inquiring, had not made
his appearance. Kerr announced that
341 of the 356 members of the house
were present and that credentials had
not been received from the Tenth New
York and First Nevada districts. Kerr
then called for nominations for
speaker.
Grosvenor. republican, Ohio, chair
man of the republican caucus, placed in
nomination Thomas b. Reed of Maine:
Sayres. democrat. Texas, the name of
Charles S. Crisp of Georgia, and Mr..
KEN, populist, Nebraska, John c. Bell
of Colorado. The result of the vote
was: Reed. 234; Crisp. 95; Bell, 6; Gull
berson. 1.
Crisp, Grosvenor and Bell were ap-
pointed a committee to conduct the
speaker to the chair. and soon ap-
peared at the main entrance, Reed
leaning on the arm of ex-Speaker
Crisp, and Messrs. Bell and Grosvenor
arm in arm. AS Reed ascended 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 waved their handker-
chiefs. Reed stood calmly and serene
ly. with his hands clasped in character
istic fashion behind his back until the
house was quiet. Harmer. republican.
Pennsylvania. the Oldest member in
continuous services present, came for-
ward 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 applause.
TT will not be unbecoming In me, I
hope. IL / acknowledge to this assem-
bly that 1t Is very agreeable to me to
stand once more in the place 1 left four
years ago. OF the past. however, 1
shall not speak. for the past speaks for
itself in terms more fitting and appro-
pirate than any words which could
come from my lips. Nor shall / speak
OF the future. for we are not putting
OF harness but putting IL on. Yet l
think / venture to say of the future,
in the light Of the past. that IL we do
something which for the moment
seems inadequate. IL may be that time
which has justified itself for us on so
many occasions. may do SO again.
Those who have acted with wisdom
heretofore may be fairly expected to
act with wisdom hereafter. 1 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 / give
thanks. is but for a moment so. while
the cares and responsibilities extend
over many days. So, far as the per-
formance OF my duties affect the whole
people OF the United States / invoke
their considerate judgment. So far as
1t affects the members OF the house, /
ask from both sides Of the chamber
that cordial cooperation without which
i cannot hope TO succeed. assuring
them no effort on my part viii be
spared to aid them in the performance
OF their duties by that entire imparti-