The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1895-12-07
Fifty-Fourth Congress Assembled
Monday Noon.
ALL EYES ON THE FORMER
Senate Opening an Animated and Bril-
liant Occasion, but the Proceed
ings We're Routine.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 1.-THE Fiji
ty-fourth congress assembled at noon
today. It is tidal wave" congress.
and, like most of its predecessors Of
that character. is notable for the num-
Der of faces that are missing and the
number of faces that appear for the
first time, and many of the owners Of
which, up to the closing Of the polls
in their respective localities. had
scarcely the slightest hope that they
would figure in the organization of the
present house.
AS the members strolled in by ones,
and tWos, and threes this morning,
the occupants of the press galleries,
who have seen congressman come and
go, could not fail to be struck with the
fact that this was a decidedly new"
house, and to further note the large
number Of old stand-bys that were
among the absent. The seat so long
occupied by Richard p. Bland of Mis-
souri,, was appropriated by new
conner, SO with Breckenridge Of Ken
lucky, Bryan Of Nebraska, Bynum Of
Indiana, the eloquent Bourke Cochran
of New York, the economical Holman
of Indiana, Kilgore Of Texas, Springer
of Illinois, Wilson of West Virginia,
leader of the democracy in the last
house, Hooker of Mississippi, Harter of
Ohio and Philadelphia. and Jerry Simp-
son, ex-idol of the populists. All OF
these are alive and in the flesh, but
were turned down year ago, and may
reappear some day in the future when
democracy is once again in the sad.
de-
While the democratic side Of the
house had dwindled to about half OF
Its former size, few of the old members
of the former republican minority were
missing. There was one vacant chair
on that side of the house, and the bow
Of crepe that was attached to the desk
gave silent token that one of the most
honored and respected Of the old re-
publican members, General Cogswel
of Massachusetts,, had passed to an
other land. OF the new members, Lor
inner Of Illinois. who carried dyed-in
,the-wool democratic district, mainly
owing to Governor McKinley's speech
in Chicago a year ago last October
John Patrick Tracey and Joel D. Hub
bard from Missouri, H. H. Culp of thu
hitherto democratic from the day of 1T
organization, William Alden Smith O.
Grand Rapids, Mich, Corliss OF De
troit, Crump Of Bay City, Miner O.
Coldwater, and Charles p. Taft OF Gin
cinnati, who has made the Times-Sta
OF that city one Of the most inf1uentia
opponents Of republicanism in the mid
ole states, were conspicuous. Many
the old members were heartily greet
ed on making their appearance, while
cordial welcomes were extended U
many Of the best known representative
OF the new blood"
SPEAKER REED THE STAR
The house Of representatives passet
today into control of the republican,
and Thomas Bracket Reed OF Main
' again triumphantly assumed the speak
ership gavel. The open session was a
usual, an animated and brilliant occa
sion, set off with crowded galleries II
holiday attire, intoxicating with Tn
perfume of hundreds of floral tribute
TO popular members and pervaded Wit
a spirit Of jubilation and good nature
Old familiar faces were absent, pu
tnere were plenty of new ones to tax
their places. Still the proceeding
themselves, as usual with opening SEES
SONS, were Of a routine character an
ueVo1d of sensational features. IN
mousse simply organized, adopted IN
usual resolutions to notify the presl
oent and the senate that the house wa
ready for business and wound UP o
indulging in the biennial lottery or sea
oraWing contest.
Speaker Reed was beyond questio
the star Of the occasion. His appear
ance was the signal for a most fla'
'tering and enthusiastic demonstration