Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-02
UNANIMOUS CHOICE.
House Republicans Select Mr..
Reed for Speaker.
Speech Of Acceptance Presented
With Two GaveIs.
Latest Gossip About Committees Demo-
Gratis ForIorn Hope Caucus.

| inc CnamDer OF the House of Representa-
tlves, Saturday night, was an animated
one. As early as Z o'clock, all the ap-
proaches leading to the House were filled
with crowds of people who anticipated a
heated caucus and who desired to partici-
pate In the excitement. That the mem
bers themselves were deeply interested in
the work In hand was apparent from the
large number who vera on the floor full
hour before the caucus met.
When the gentlemen arrived they
visited the headquarters of their respective
candidates. 1t was apparent then that If
the number of callers at the several head
quarters was an indication of the strength
of the various candidates, the combine
had the call.
While Gen. Henderson, headquarters.
which were located in the appropriation
| committee room, were well filled with
members, who, like himself, represented
| the older and more conservative element
| it was difficult to accommodate the tide
of humanity which ebbcd and flowed
| through the wide doorway of the commit
| tee room of ways and means, where Nc
| Dowell and Glenn, the so-called "com-
bine' candidates for clerk and doorkeeper,
were stationed.
One hundred and foIty-two representa-
| tives We're among the hundreds who called
and these severally assured Mcdowell and
| Glenn of their support. As 1873 votes were
sufficient to elect, even if the entire 244
Republicans were present, 1t Was plain
that the leading members of the Nc
Dowell-Glenn ticket were certain of
enough votes to win on the first ballot
The caucus settled down to work
promptly at s o'clock, with Mr. Hooker of
New York, the secretary of the caucus
in the chair. The first test of the relative
strength of the Mcdowell Glenn ticket
and its opponents was shown in the vote
on the election of chairman of the caucus
William A. Stone of Pennsylvania, who
has been the principal manager for No
Dowell, and those associated with him
nominated the veteran Ohio, Gen. Charles
Fl. Grosvenor, while Mr.. Doliver of Iowa
who represented the Henderson forces
proposed the name of Mr. Henderson of
Iowa.
AT the conclusion of the roll call, the
vote stood 1855 for Grosvenor to 20 for
Henderson. 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 secretary of
the caucus for the 54th Congress Mr.
Mercer of Nebraska. nominated Mr..
Hooker OF New York. Mr. Hooker was
elected by Il vote of 1879 to n.
On motion of Mr.. Grow of Pennsyl-
vania, Thomas B. Reed Of Maine, was
nominated for Speaker, and elected by ac
clamation.
On motion of Mr.. Payne of New York,
II committee of three was appointed To
conduct Mr.. Reed to the hall The COM
mittcc consisted of Mr. Payne Mr. Galusha
A. Grow of Pennsylvania, and Mr.. Can
non of Illinois
Mr. Reed, on entering tho hall. was
loudly appauded Taking II position in
the area before the presiding officers desk,
| and speaking in an easy, conversational
| tone, he said:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlcmon-For
the honor which you have conferred upon
| me | tender you my sincere thanks. / am,
| however, not in the least, liable to con
| found with my own personality this trb-
ute of your kindness.
81 had only the good fortune to be so
placed that l represented. rs we'll as l was
able the patriotic sense of great party,
and it is to that patriotic sense of our party
that you tender the tribute of your
matured as you did your temporary ap-
prevail History will accord us praise for
what we did in the 5lst Congress, and 1t
may accord US its praise in this for what
we do not do
1--WE have, unfortunately, a 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 our first and greatest duty is to do
all we can to restore confidence to business
and that we must avoid all business leRis-
lation except In the direction of improving
busir ess.
Rather than run risks we can afford to
wait until well -matured plans give us as
surance of permanent benefit. Crude and
hasty legislation is above all things else
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 perfect
world perhaps, but world rather more fit
to live in than we have lately had.
Even as things are, / 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 disaster. Not only have we
been elected by the overwhelming vote Of
the people as their servants, but as
House Of Representatives 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 govern
ment according to our sense of public
duty, no man can doubt.
This is the great nation Of this hemi
sphere, and, while we have no desire to
interfere with other nations. we shall
maintain our position here with firmness
and self-respect, and at the same time
with careful consideration of facts and
that conservatism Of action which shall
leave no bad question to trouble our fu-
ture.