The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-03
Both Houses of the National LegisIa-
ture Organized Yesterday without
Sensation of Any Kind.
"CZAR" REED REELECTED
AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE
SWORN IN AND ALLOTTED SEATS.
How Indiana Representatives Faretl
tered to Newly-Electcd Senators.
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-The national
legislature of the United States of Ameri-
ca, generally called the Congress, con-
vened here at noon to-day. No SEN
sational incident marked the opening of the
Fifty-fourth Congress- In the House.
where all the interest centered, Clerk Kerr
started the machinery going and in the
staid Senate Vice President Stevenson
pressed the button. Gear Reed was again
made ruler of the popular branch of Con-
gress, and the Republican caucus nominees
for subordinate offices declared elected and
sworn in. Most of the time of the House
to-day was occupied in drawing seats. All
things considered, the Indiana delegation
Jared fairly we'll in the drawing. 1t was
long time before the blndfolded page
drew from the box ball whose number
corresponded with the location of a Hoos-
ier member on the roll, but at last Mr..
Royse's name was called, and that gentle
man, with a briskness born of impatient
waiting, stepped out to select seat. AL
most all the choicest desks were already
pre-empted, but he finally found one in the
fifth row of the first block of seats on the
Republican side. Then Mr.. Overstreet was
called. and he selected seat in the same
row, but just on the main aisle. SIr. Har-
dy chose the seat next to Mr.. Overstreet,
and Mr.. Paris took the desk just behind
Mr. Royse, so that these four members
are practically in bunch, a most convent
ent arrangement when there arises hasty
occasion for a chat over a vote. Mr.. john
son took his old seat in the same row with
these four, but across the narrow aisle, Mr..
Leighty was compelled TO cross the main
aisle and take up his abode among the
settlers in the Cherokee Strip, and Mr..
Hemenway soon followed him, but though
the main aisle divides them from their col
leagues they are in the same row also with
in easy call. Mr. Henrys is probably the
best seat in the delegation. His desk is OH
the main aisle in the second row, directly
under the Speakers eye. Mr.. Steeles fate
was severe. He was one of the last men
called, and could find a seat only in the
last row of desks on the extreme left of
the Speaker. However, he is in goodly
company, for around him are Messrs. Dal-
zel Hit, Dingley and other leaders. Mr..
Hatch sits near him. Messrs- Traeewell
and Hanley are almost lost on the extreme
right Of the Speaker. Mr.. Watson was the
last Hoosier called. 1t was Hobson's choice
with him, so he located over near Mr..
Tracewell.
The opening session of the House was. as
is usual, animated and brilliant occa-
sion, set off with crowded galleries in holi-
day attire; intoxicating with the perfume
of hundreds of floral tributes TO popular
members and pervaded with a spirit of
jubilation and good nature. Old familiar
faces were absent, but there Was plenty of
new ones 10 take their places. Still, the
ing sessions, were of a routine character
and, as stated devoid of interesting or 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 lot
terry or seat-drawing contest. Speaker
Thomas Bracket Reed was beyond ques-
tion the star of the occasion. His appear
ance was the signal for most f1attering
and enthusiastic demonstration. His in
augural was modest and full of good feel
Ing, but noncommittal as TO politics How
ever, 1T was not expected that the Speaker
would touch the questions to be dealt with
by the House Ex-Speaker Crisp assumed
the leadership OF the minority and it was
significant that Mr. Payne, of New York,
the leader of the majority. This is taken
TO mean that he is to be chairman of the
ways and means committee and the recog-
nized leader of the Republicans on the
floor
Nothing happened in the Senate that had
not been anticipated. The new Senators and
those who had been reelected were sworn
in. committee was appointed 20 notify
the President and the usual resolutions in
cident to the beginning of a session were
introduced. The new Senators and those
reelected were sworn in groups. In the
first group were Messrs. Bacon. Baker, Ber-
ry and Butler. Then came Messrs. Caffery,
Carter, Chandler and Chiffon. Following
them were Elkins, Frye, Cullom, Gear, and
after them Harris, Hoar Lindsay Nc
Bride, Mcmillan. Burrows, Martin, Morgan,
Nelson, Pettigrew, Sewell. Shoup, Thurs
ton, Tillman, Walthall, Warren and Wet
more The last group attracted special at
tention, being led by Ex-Governor Tillman,
of South Carolina dispensary fame, arm in
arm with Mr.. George, of Mississippi, be-
hind whom came Mr.. Waltham of Missis-