The National tribune., 1895-12-05

who have acted with wisdom heretofore may be
| fairly exp ected to act with wisdom hereafter.
81 am sorry to say that the pleasure asso-
| ciated with the honor you have bestowed on
mean honor which no American citizen can
fail to appreciate, and for which give thanks
| is but for the msment; while the cares and
| responsibilities extend over many days.
$50 far as the performance of my duties af-
| fects the whole people of the United States, L
! invoke their consderats Judgment. So far as
il affects the members of this House, / ask
from both sides of the chamber that cordial CO.
operation without which cannot hope to sue
coed, assuring them that no effort on my part
will be spared TO aid them in tho performance
of their duties By that entire impartiality
which is their Just due"
At the conclusion of his speech the members
came forward in little SQUADS as their names
were called, and, with uplifted arms, swore to
support and defend the Constitution against all
enemies. foreign and domestic and well and
faithfully discharge the duties of their offices.
HOUSE OFFICERS SWORN IN.
This proceeding occupied over half an hour.
When it was finished Mr. Hopkins (lll.D asked
unanimous consent that Mr.. Newlands, who was
elected from Nevada, but whose credentials had
not arrived, be sworn in. This was granted, as
was similar request made by Mr. Crisp (Ga. }
that Mr.. Cummings who was recently elected
from the Tenth New York District to succeed
the late Alexander Campbell, be sworn in. Ac-
cordingly, Speaker Reed administered the oath
to those gentlemen. Without a roll call the Off
GERS of the House, nominated by the Republican
caucas Saturday, were then formally elected,
the Democrats presenting the names OF the OIL
GERS of the last House. The swearing in OF the
subordinate officials of the House followed
Alexander b. Mcdowell tPal as Clerk; b. f.
Russell Mo- as Sergeant-at-Arms;W William b.
Glenn IN. Y. as Doorkeeper; Joseph d. Nc
Elroy (O.) as Postmaster, and Henry u. Cou-
don (Mich.) as Chaplain.
THE FIRST POLITICAL CLASH.
The customary resolutions we're then adopted
notifying the President and the Senate of the
election Of Mr.. Reed and Mr.. Mcdowell as
Speaker and Clerk, respectively, and, on mo-
tiOn OF Mr.. Payne IN. v, committee, con-
sisting of Messrs. Payne IN. W Cannon (Ill.)
and Crisp ga, was appointed by the Speaker,
to Join similar committee from the Senate, to
notify the President that the House had organ
lied and was ready 10 receive any communities
tion he had TO make. AT this point the first
political clash occurred. Mr.. Cannon and Mr..
Crisp crossed swords, but the contest was brief
and resulted in an amicable settlement.
MIR. Cannon moved that the rules of the 51st
Congress be adopted for the guidance of the
House. Mr.. Crisp called attention to the fact
that rrior to the 51st Congress the rules of the
preceding Congress bad always been adopted
temporarily. lie wanted to know whether it
was the purpose of the majority to subsequently
give an opportunity TO members to offer amend
ments 10 the rules. Unless this were the case
a discussion OF the rules would be preeludea in
the future. Both Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Dngley
explained that the House was without rules,
and the adoption of the profered motion would
furnish temporary rules for the guidance of the
House until the Committee on Rules reported.
Mr. Crisp withdrew his opposition, and the
motion was carried.
DRAWING FOB SEATS.
The biennial lottery, or seat drawing, was
then begun.
Asa preliminary to the drawing, the men,
bers all retired behind the brass railing at the
rear of the seats. Three hundred and ffty-six
small balls were placed in box and shaken mp.
A number on each ball correspondent TO name
on the rOll-csl A blindfolded page drew out
the balls, and the members selected their seats
as their names were drawn.
According to the usual custon, the House
granted the ex-Speakers, Mr.. Crisp, Of Georgia,
and Mr.. Grow, of Pennsylvania, the privilege
of selecting 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 Ohio was the
first drawn from the box; Mr.. Owens Ky,
the successor OF Mr.. Breckenridge, was the Sec
ond; MIR. Perkins iowa, the third, and Mr..
Ma honey IN. Y the fourth.
Popular members were spplauded as they
came forward and selected their places and the
mage boys scooIed from desk TO desk conveying
floral pieces sent.