The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-01
One From Veterans of Vallejo
and Made From Wood of
the Old Hartford.
SELECTIONS OF THE CAUCUS.
Pointed Remarks of the Statesman
Who Knows How to Count
Quorum.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 30.-The
scene around the chamber OF the House OF
Representatives tonight was an animated
one. As early as 7 o'clock all the ap
proaches leading to the House were filled
with crowds OF people, who anticipated
heated caucus and who desired to partici-
pate in the excitement. That the men,
bers themselves were deeply interested
was evidenced by the large number who
were present on the floor a full hour be-
fore the caucus met. As the gentlemen
arrived they visited the headquarters OF
their respective candidates. It was appar
ent that if the number of callers at the
several headquarters was an indication of
the strength of the various candidates the
combine had the "call."
While General Henderson's headquar-
ters, which were located in the Appropria-
tions Committe room, were well filed with
members who. like himself, represented the
more conservative element, it was difficult
to accommodate the tide of humanity
which ebbed and flowed through the wide
doorway of the committee-room of the
Ways and Means, where Mcdowell and
Glenn, the so-called "com bine" candidates
for Clerk and Doorkeeper, were stationed.
One hundred and forty-two Representa-
tives were among the hundreds who called
and these severally assured Mcdowell and
Glenn of their support. As 123 votes were
sufficient to elect even if the entire 244
Republicans were present it was plain that
the leading members of the Mcdowell
Glenn ticket were certain of enough votes
to win on the first ballot.
The caucus settled down to work prompt
" at o'clock with Mr.. Hooker of New
York, the secretary of the caucus, in the
chair. The first estim ate of the relative
strength of the Mcdowell ticket and its
opponents was shown in the vote on the
election of chairman of the caucus. Will
liam a. Stone OF Pennsylvania, who has
been the principal manager for Mcdowell,
and those associated with him, nominated
the veteran Ohioan, General Charles Gros-
venor, while Mr.. Dolliver of Iowa, who
represents the Henderson forces, proposed
the name of Mr.. Henderson of Iowa.
At the conclusion of the rollcall the vote
stood 155 for Grosvenor to 73 for Hender-
son. This showed the presence of 22S
members and it disclosed the fact that the
Mcdowell forces had not overrated their
strength.
Mr.. Hopkins of Illinois placed Mr..
Ellis of Oregon in nomination for secre-
tary of the caucus of the Fifty-fourth Con-
gress. Mr.. Mercer of Nebraska nominated
Mr.. Hooker of New York. Mr.. Ellis was
elected by vote of 139 to ".
On motion of Mr.. Grow of Pennsylvania
Thomas B. Reed of Maine was nomi-
mated for Speaker and elected by accla-
nation.
On motion of Mr.. Payne of New York
committee of three was appointed to con-
duct Mr.. Reed to the hall. The committee
consisted of Mr.. Payne, Mr.. Grow of
Pennsylvania and Mr.. Cannon of Illinois.
Mr.. Reed, on entering the hall, was loudly
applauded. Taking position in the area
before the presiding officers desk, and
speaking in an easy, conversational tone,
he said:
"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: For the
honor which you have conferred upon me
I tender you my sincere thanks. l am,
however, not in the least to confound with
my own personality this tribute of your
kindness. I had once the good fortune to
be so placed that I represented as well as
was able the patriotic sense of a great
our party that you tender the tribute of
your matured, as you did your temporary
approval. History will accord US praise
for what we did in the Fifty-irst Congress,
and it may accord Us its praise in this for
what we do not do.
"We have unfortunately divided Gov
eminent, which usually leads to small re-
suits. But there are times when rest is as
health giving as exercise. We must not
forget that our first and greatest duty is
to do all we can to restore confidence to
business and that we must avoid all busi-
ness legislation except in the direction of
improving business. Rather than run risks
we can afford to wait until matured plans
give US assurances of permanent benefit.
Crude and hasty legislation is above all
things to be Stunned.
Gould we cause our immense popular
majority to overflow into other branches
of the Government and could we have full
control, we would create not a perfect
world perhaps, but world rather more fit
to live in than We have lately had. Even
as things are l do not for moment doubt
that our patriotic instincts will lead US to
make every sacrifice except of principle to
rescue our country from its temporary dis
aster. Not only have we been elected by
the overwhelming vote of the people as
their servants, but as a House of Repre-
sentatives of which we are the majority.
"The right to initiate taxation OF the
people is by the constitution placed in our
hands as sacred trust, which we have no
right to surrender, and which all parties,
however they differ on other things, will
assuredly maintain. That we shall be
ready at all times to furnish adequate
revenue for the Government, according to
our sense of public duty, no man can
doubt. Il
This is the great nation of this hemis-
phere, and while we have no desire to in
terfere with other nations we shall main
tam our position here with irmness and |
sen-respect and at the same time with |