Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-12-05

seats on the democratic side. and also
the two last tiers. Three hundred and
flfty-six balls were passed into a 3ox
and shaken up. A blind-folded page
drew out the balls and the members
selected seats as their names were
drawn. According to the usual custom
the mouse granted ex-Speakers Crisp
and Grow the privilege of selecting
seats without drawing. The name of
Mcclure (rep,) Ohio, was first drawn
from the box; Owens (dem.) XIV. sue
cessor of Breckenridge, second: Per-
kins (rep) Iowa, third. Some of the
oldest and most prominent members Of
both sides were very unlucky in the
lottery. Hit, of Illinois, who will be
chairman of foreign affairs; Hender-
son, of Iowa, who probably will be
chairman of the appropriations, and
Walker. of Massachusetts, who will
head the banking and currency COM
mittee, were obliged to content them
selves with seats in the last tier On
the democratic side, known as the
Cherokee strip" Among the last
names called was that of Paynes. of
New York. who is much talked of for
the Craftsmanship of the ways and
means committee. He found vacant
chair on the remote left. Bartlett.
(dem) n. Y, drew the ''booby'' prize.
His name was last called. AS soon as
the drawing was completed the house,
on motion of Payne, New York, adj
journed until today
THE SENATE.
The United States senate was called
to order at noon Monday by Vice Presi-
dent Stevenson. All the galleries eX-
cept that reserved for the diplomatic
corps were filled to overlooking by
Ills, and the outer corridors were
crowded with those unable to gain
admission.
The senators began to gather early
in the day, exchanging greetings and
renewing acquaintance. Mr.. PETER
and Mr.. Allen showed special atten-
ton to the acquisition to the populist
ranks. There was special interest in
the many new faces. Mr.. Martin, oil
Virginia, was introduced to his as
sociates by Mr. Daniels.
Mr.. Sherman crossed the chamber
and greeted his Ohio associate, Mr..
Brice, who was in group with
Messrs. Cockrell, Harris and German.
Exactly at II o'clock the vice pres
ident assembled to the presiding Of
ficer's chair and rapping once, called
the senate to order. In impressive
tones, the blind chaplain of the SEN
ate invoked divine blessing on the
chamber, referring eloquently to the
family of ex-senator Wilson and to
the absence of Isaac Bassett, the vet
eran doOr-keeper, who is now danger
ously i'll.
The first business transacted was
the swearing in of new senators and
of those reelected.
The usual formal resolutions were
quickly adopted. That of Mr.. Cock
rell, of Missouri, provided for senate
sessions beginning at II noon daily;
that of Mr.. Sherman notifying the
house that a quorum of the senate
was present and ready to proceed with
business; that of Mr.. Villas, of Wiscon-
sin, provided for a committee of two
senators and two representatives to-
wait upon the president and notify
him that congress awaited any COM
munication the executive branch de-
sired to present
The presiding officer designated
Messrs. Villas and Allison for the COM
mittee to wait on the president.
At 1890 o'clock a recess of an hour
was taken. At 100, when the senate
reconvened, Mr.. Prudeh of the white
house staff was in the chamber with
word that the presidents message
would not be submitted Monday and
at 100, on motion of Mr.. Sherman
the senate adjourned till today.
The republican senators held a eau
Gus in the afternoon. Sherman was
elected chairman. The discussion was.
informal and centered around the
question whether the republicans, hav-
ing plurality but not a majority in
the senate should attempt reorgani-
cation, with republican officers and
republican chairmen of the commit
tees. 1t is evident that the prevailing
sentiment favored republican organi-
cation and some strong speeches were
made, urging that there should be no
combination or compromise with any
element outside republican ranks.
This appeared to voice the general
view Of the senators and no opposi-
ton speeches were made The ques-
ton arose, however, as to whether a
test of strength should be made Oh Sc
curing committees, or On choice of
president pro tempore. Frye's name
was mentioned as the probable candi-
date for president pro tenn. 1t was
finally decided that no vote be taken
at present. The understanding was
that a definite line of action would be
agreed upon at a meeting Wednesday,
following the session that day.