The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-12-05
CONGRESS- AT WORK
FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY
FOURTH CONGRESS OPENS.
Thomas ID. Reed. Speaker of the Fiji
ty First Congress, Is Elected
Speaker-But Little Business Will
BE Done Until Speaker Reed
Names the Committees-The Sem
ate Begins business in u Deliber-
ut Manner.

Washington, Dec. 4.-The drawing
of seats, which occurs at the opening
of every new congress-, occurred, ana
furnished considerable amusement. AL
Northwestern representatives secured
good seats. The name OF Mr.. NC
Clure Rep, Ohio was the first drawn
from the box; Mr.. Owens Oem., kyD,
successor of Mr.. Breckenridge, was the
second; Mr. Perkins (Rep., IoWa) was
third Popular members We're ap-
plauded as they came forward and Sc
lected their places and the page boys
scOOted from desk to desk conveying
floral pieces, sent by admiring friends.
Before the drawing was half COM
pleted the array of desks was trans
formed into a bower Of roses. Among
those who were thus remembered
were ex-Speaker Crisp, Messrs. Hep
burn of Iowa, Henderson Of Iowa:
Linton of Michigan and Mercer Of Ne
braSka.
Some of the oldest and most promi-
nent members on both sides were
very unlucky in the lottery. Mr.. Hit
of Illinois, who will be chairman of the
committee on foreign affairs; Mr.. Hen
derson of Iowa. who will probably be
chairman Of appropriations, and Mr.
Walker of Massachusetts, who will
head the banking and currency COM
mittee, were obliged to content them
selves with seats on the Democratic
side known as the "Cherokee Strip"
Among the last names called was that
of Mr.. Payne of New York, who is
much talked of for the craftsmanship
of the ways and means. He found a
vacant seat on the remote left. Mr..
Bartlett Dem., N. " drew the
"booby" prize. His name was the
last called. AS soon as the drawing
was completed the house, on motion
of Mr.. Payne Of New York, adjourned
until tomorrow. EX-Speaker Crisp
assumed the leadership of the minor
ity, and it was significant that Mr..
Payne Of New York made the motion
which usually devolves upon the lead
er of the majority. This is taken to
mean that he is to be chairman of the
ways and means committee and the
recognized leader Of the Republicans
on the floor.
In the Senate.
Nothing happened in the senate to-
day that had not been expected. The
new senators and those who had beer
reelected were sworn in. A com
mittee was appointed to notify the
president and the usual resolutions in
cident to the beginning of a session
were introduced. The senate adjourned
after an absolutely uneventful ses
sion. The new senators and those re
elected were sworn in in groups. II
the first group were MeSsrs. Bacon
Baker, Berry and Butler. Then came
Messrs. Caffery, Carter, Chandler an(
Chiffon. Following them were Elkins
Frye, Cullom and Geary, and after
them Hoar, Lindsay, Mcbride, McMill
an. Burrows, Martin, Morgan, Nelson
Pettigrew, Sewell, Shoupe, Thurston
Tillman, Walthall, Warren and Wet
more
The last group attracted special at
tention, being led by ex-Gov. Tillma]
of South Carolina dispensary fame
arm-in-arm with Mr.. George of Mis-
sissippi, and Mr.. Blackburn of Ken
lucky. Mr.. Wolcott's name was Gale,
but he was not present.
Representative Linton of Michiga,
has the distinction of having intro
duced the first bill in the house of tn
Fifty-fourth congress. 1t is in the in
terest Of the railway postal clerks.
Senate Caucus.
The Republican senators were i
caucus for half an hour after the ser
ate adjourned, but adjourned until tt
morrow without taking action on tn
reorganization of the senate.
The silver conference called for tt
day was a disappointment to it's prt
jectors. The only senators who a.
tended were Allen, Kyle, PETER an
Stewart, Populists; Tillman, Dem
and Pritchard, Mantle and Teller, RI
publicans. The last named gentleme
were only there a few moments an
took no part in the proceedings. Th
small attendance showed those pre-
ent that nothing could be done at thi
meeting. Senator PETER was of tn
opinion that party ties were too stron
to hope to organize the silver party
the senate, while Senator Allen sal
he hoped something might come frol
this preliminary meeting.