The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-02
Preparing FOR BUSINESS
Everything In Readiness for Opening
Of the 54th Congress.
MEMBERS on THE GROUND
Senator Quay's Quarters Arc Bcsciccd by
Visitors from the Rural Districts Off
GERS of House of Representatives.
--., Senate Organization RuInOrs.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

opecial 10 the scranton tribune.
Washington, Dec. 1.--Everything is
In readiness for the opening of the
iifty-fourth congress. With the eXcep-
tion of q few Democrats all the men,
bers are in town. and things are be-
ginning to present a business-like ap-
pearance. For the second time Thomas
b. Reed, of Maine, will preside over
the house. Major Mcdowell will be
the clerk: W. ]. Glenn, of New York,
the doorkeeper; Ben Russell. of Mis-
souri,, the sergeant-at arms: Joseph C.
McElroy. of Ohio, the postmaster, and
Rev. Conden, Of Michigan, chaplain.
This slate was selected at the Repub-
lican caucus last night The Demo-
Gratis nominated the old officers for the
empty honors.
There Is much speculation as to
whether or not the Republicans will
organize the senate. The western Re-
publican senators want to do 1t, but
whether the eastern senators will con-
slider it good politics to do so remains
to be seen. 1t was reported tonight
that a conference of Republican SEN
ators was held at the residence of Sem
ator Quay, this afternoon, but when
asked about it several prominent sem
ators denied all knowledge Of such a
meeting. 1t is generally believed,
however, that the, Republicans will
reorganize the senate for the purpose
Of pushing needed legislation. The
president, it is understood, will not
veto any measure which will have a
tendency to relieve the business inter-
ests of the country. He has intimat-
ed as much at least.
1t is said that Speaker Reed will ap-
point two committees on contested
elections for the purpose of facilitat-
ing business. In the fifty-first congress
when Mr.. Reed was speaker before,
and when he needed every Republican
member he could get there were only
seventeen contests, and 1t was not until
the flag end of the session that all Of
them were disposed of. Speaker Reed
Is not appointing a double committee,
with the view of turning Democrats
out by wholesale, but for the purpose
of disposing of the cases on their merits
in as short a time as possible. The
speakers plan is being GENERALLY en-
dorsed by Democrats as well as Re-
publicans. There are twenty nine con-
tests in which testimony has been filed
at the clerks office with three others
in which the law has not been fully
complied with in this respect, and
which may he considered by the house
after the other cases have been dis
posed of.
Clerk to be Mcdowell called on Clerk
Kerr this afternoon and had an hours
talk with him regarding the duties Of
the office, the manner in which the Of
fees are distributed, etc. Mcdowell
will not assume the duties Of clerk until
Tuesday, when he will file his bond
and relieve Mr.. Kerr of the RESPONSE
bilities of the office.
Senator Quay had scarcely arrived
home this morning when his residence
was beseiged by political friends and
office-seekers. Among his callers were
Senator Penrose, Treasurer Elect Hay
wood, Congressman Acheson, State
Senator Fruit. of Mercer, Deputy At
torney General Elkins, Jere Read and
Editor Sam Smith. of Indiana county;
State Senators Thomas and Grady,
anu iSpii' VI
Philadelphia; Representative Walter
Merrick, of Tioga; Sam S. Wright, of
Montrose; General Clarkson, National
Chairman Carter, Senator Dubois,
Fred Fleitz. of Scranton: State Sena-
tor Hardenburg, of Honesdale, and
Parker i. Walter, of Pittsburg. The
descent of this small army Of politicians
upon Senator Quay probably gave rise
to the rumor that a conference of sem
ators was being held at his residence.
The usual big crowd of visitors to the
capitol on opening day is expected to-
morrow, Clerk of the House Kerr. who
has the distribution of the tickets of
administration to the galleries. has is
sued about twelve hundred paste
boards, all that the galleries Will ac-
commodate. The demand for tickets
is very heavy. Each member was
given three tickets. w. X. b.