New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-03

the Upper House appear in more glorious
light perhaps. than the gentleman does to the
genternan's gentleman 1t is simply case OF
familiarity breeding lack OF appreciation In
the House the same forces very likely are at
work. but the atmosphere is so different from
that of the Senate. its soporihc tendencies are
developed only at such rare intervals, that the
visitor to the Capitol. overpowered by the awful
soIennity Of the Senate proceedings turns VIZ"
a sort of grateful relief to the more iN''''
varied and sometimes turbulent scenes IN 'i''
House The feeling is always that somethihs
is going to happen In the Senate there Is ho'h-
ing but repose In the House you are kept
agreeably expectant. This in large measure
accounts for the average Washingtonian's pref
erence for the popular branch Of the National
Legislature. He showed that preference in a
decided manner to-day.
There are other reasons which contribute
toward making the House on an occasion like
that of to-day the Mecca of the curious Chief
among these is the ease with which constitu-
ents Of nearly one-half of the members can
reach TIE capital. They go to Washington on
the opening day of Congress not only to see the
city, II they never have done so before but
also to give their representative especially If
he be new man, a good send-off The gal
Ieries to-day were crowded with visitors from,
Maryland Virginia. Delaware, New-York Penn
sylvania and New Jersey
Notin many years has the new eIeror. ~ 49,
Reuse OF Representatives been so numerous
/ Nearly so per cent Of the membersbin .. A..
was unknown TO the habitues of the pa1er,ee
10 many OF these members it will be their fire,
experience In legislation, their first venture nor
maps In the thorny paths Of politics Small
wonder, therefore. that sympathetic throngs Of
ADMIRERS and well-wshers constituents friends
ana relatives Of budding genius and nascent
craftsmanship. sat for hours wedged on narrow
anc uncomfortable benches, in an atmosphere
'ha' might nave been carved into big chunks
casting encouraging glances upon the lawmakers
'e'o" many Oh them more than eager to start
on their career Of greatness The floral ofsar
ings too. seemed more numerous and extravo
ganfly grotesque than usual-an unfailng sign
or the presence Of great deal of green on the
floor and In the audience above II would he in
vidious to mention Names since the recjnient
OF these silly tributes is not ALWAYS resnonsih,e
Tor the ridiculous picture which a man presents
oehind huge baskets of flowers In place and on
an occasion which should not, in the spectator
raise reeollections OF faded-out prime donre CO.
quettishly staggering under load of flowers in
front Of the footlights
ANXIOUS TO SEE AND HEAR MR. REED
But the great drawing card to-day. which
brought to the House the greatest number Of
visitors o~doubt. Thomas B. Reed 1t
was not only TO the man, but also TO hear
what he might have to say HIS speech in ac-
cepting the nomination at the hands of the Re
publican caucus on Saturday night had served
10 ran curiosity 10 the utmost. That speech not
only outlined the policy which the majority
would pursue during the present session. but II
also contained some pointed illusions to the
past The general expectation. therefore. was
that Mr. Reed would seize the occasion not only
to elaborate upon the course to be followed bv
the Republican party in the House. but also to
indulge at soma length in certain Obvious re-
Elections which his return ana that of his party
to power might suggest. That he confined him.
self chiefly to expression Of gratitude on his part
-gratifcatcn may be the better word perhaps
for the honor conferred upon him by his Repub-
lican associates, disappointed many though it
illustrated the restraint under which the Speaker
placed himself in a forcibe and impressive man
ner.
Still, Mr.. Reed would have been more than
human had he resisted altogether the temptation
tc allude to what is now history. He did So how
ever, In as gentle way as possible. though the
Democratic minority, which had begun by look
ing suen when he commenced speaking showed
signs or distress and alarm when he limited at
certain events four years ago, and ended by look
ing sheepish and mystifed when he sat down
without having attempted tc injure their sens-
blitles. To that extent the Speakers inaugural"
was disappointment
The enthusiasm which greeted Mr. Reed from
floor and gallery when he entered the House
corted by the committee which was TO conduct
him into office could not nave beer but welcome
music to mis- ears Among that audience Here
many, no doubt. who remembered the day four
years ago when he descended the stems Of the
Speakers platform with the jeers and insults Of
bafiied minority still ringing in his ears, with
the consciousness that he was the first Speaker
to leave the chair without having received the
compliment-perfunctory perhaps. but none the
less a complimentary a vote Of thanks. and
buoyed up only by the certainty that sooner or
later the course he had so coura geously pursued
though temporarily condemned would be ap-
proved by the country. To man. stole though
he may be. who passed through that experience
the demonstration Of to-day must have appeared
almost a personal Qualification
CHEERS FOR THE SPEAKER.
1t was one which those who witnessed it will
not easily forget. The House-aways excepting
the handful Of Democratic castaways-rose and
cheered as one man. The galleries took up the
cry Reed Reed. Reed" In the corridors the
slumbering echoes were awakened by the crowds
which stood tightly wedged around the doors
leading to the hall. The enthusiasm communi-
Gated itself to those outside the building and for
time II looked as If it would never spend itself
Only in a great National Convention could such
scene have been exceeded And yet though no
doubt fully realizing the true import OF this
markabe demonstration Mr. Rees disclaimed
the personal element in IT, anG in his speech &C
cepted it only vindicaton Of the principles
for which his party had contended four years ago
and for which II contends to-day.
The Incidents OF the opening day in the House
did not greatly vary from those which have
marked similar occasions. The prepOnderance of
new men precluded the cordial intimacy and ef-
fnsye tokens Of JOY at grasping once moro the