The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-03
NEW CONGRESS.
First Days Proceedings Were OF
Very Little Interest.
REED HAS MADE NO SLATE.
Payne Of New York Likely to
Lead Republicans.
REED HAS MADE NO SLATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-The house OF
representatives passed yesterday into the
control OF the Republicans, and Thomas
Bracket Reed of Maine again trium-
phantly assumed the speakers gavel.
The opening session was as is usual, an
animated and brilliant OCCASION set of
with crowded galleries In holiday attire,
Intoxicating with the perfume OF hundreds
Of floral tributes 10 popular members, and
pervaded with a spirit OF jubilation and
good nature. Old familiar faces Were
absent, but there were plenty OF new ones
20 take their places.
Still, the proceedings themselves, a.
usual with the opening sessions, were OF
routine character and devoid Of any SEN
sational features. The house simply or
ganized, adopted the usual resolutions TO
notify the president and the senate that
the house was ready for business, and
wound up by indulging In the biennial
lottery or seat-drawing contest.
Speaker Reed was, beyond question,
the star of the occasion. His appearance
was the signal for most flattering and
enthusiastic demonstration. His in.
augural was modest and full of good feel.
ing, but non-committal as 10 policies
However, IL was not expected that he
would touch the questions TO be dealt
with In the house
Ex-Spcaker Crisp assumed the leader.
ship OF the minority. and IL was signifi.
cant that Mr. Payne of New York made
the motion which usually devolves upon
the leader OF the majority This is taken
to mean that he is To bc Chairman of the
ways and means committee and the recog-
niAed leader Of the Republicans on the
floor
Representative Linton Of Michigan has
the distinction of having introduced the
first bill I'm the house OF tho Fifty-fourth
congress. II is in the interest of the rail.
way postal clerks. Another bill of the
postal employees was introduced by Aid.
rich of Illinois. Mr.. Aldrich also intro
duced n bill making ineligible as receiver
of corporation engaged in Interstate
commerce any persons who have been
officers or employees of said corporation at
any time during the three years preceding.
Nothing happened in the senate that
had not been anticipated. The body was
called to order by Vice President Steven
son. The new senators and those who had
been reelected were sworn in. A com
mittee was appointed 10 notify the presi-
dent, and the usual resolutions incident
20 the beginning of session, were intro
duced The senate took "a recess OF an
hour at 1928 p. ~, and at 80 adjourned,
after on absolutely unoventful session.
VIII Meet on Wednesday.
Mr.. Sherman was elected chairman of
the Republican caucus yesterday after
noon and Mr.. Dubois secretary. The dis
cussion was Informal and ccntered around
the question whether the Republican sena-
tors, having aplurality but not majority
OF the senate shorld attempt rcorganiza-
tion with Republican officers and Rcpub-
lican chairman OF committees.
II WAS -eYldGnI that the prevailing senti.
ment favored Republican organization,
and some strong speeches were made,
notably by Mr.. Davis of Minnesota and
Adrich of Rhode Island, urging that
there should be no combination or com
promise with any element outside the Re
publican ranks. This appeared TO voice
the general view Of senator's. and no OPP
position speeches were made.
The question rose, however, as TO
whether the test of strength should be
made on securing the committees or on
the choice OF a president pro tenn In or
der To present this issue, Mr. Hoar moved
the appointment OF n committee ON com.
Inittecs TO have general charge of n move
TO secure committee reorganization on
Republican lines. Mr.. Hale offered an
amendment for test on the choice of
president pro tcmpore.
In the informal discussion following,
Mr. Fryc's name was mentioned as the
probable candidate for president pro tenn.
pore. Some senator's raised the point,
however, that the president pro tenn could
not be elected while the presiding officer
was present and acting under the senate
rules.
1t was finally decided that no vote should
be taken ut present, and Messrs. Hoar and
Hale withdrew their motions The under
standing was that definite 11ne OF action
would be agreed on Mt the meeting Wcdnes-
day, following the session of that day.
What Democrats Get.
The Democrats Of the house consumed
more than l. ee hours yesterday after.
noon voting for nominees 70 nll the few
house Offices which the majority allots
10 the minority. Colonel Isaac Hill OF
Ohio, who has held the position Of deputy
scrgcant-at-arms In every Democratic
house since the war and OF Democratic
whip in tho two Republican houses since
1875, was chosen caucus officer. His OPP
ponent was Henry Mohler of Illinois, who
was defeated by vote of 81 To 43.
There was bitter wrangle over the two
mcssengerships which fall TO the Demo
crats, and the successful candidates were
Thomas Coaklcy, u New York Tammany
worker and protcge OF Amos Cummings,
and George l.. Browning OF Virginia both
Of whom wero attached 10 the last con.
gress. Mr.. Mohlcr was one OF the unsuc.
ccssful candidates for t.ls office. For
page. James English of California was
selected.
Nothing Done.
Populists in the senate called n caucus