Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-03

bOuFt cl ttfbffHtuiHitFth.
The opening Of every new Congress mas
always had the effect of bringing great
crowds Of people but never, perhaps
in the history OF Congress has larger
aasemblage OF spectators gathered In the
galleries, halls and corridors OF the
great marble structure than met there
to-day. As usual, the principal attrac-
tior was the House. because the politi-
cal upheaval by which the Democratic
majority of ninety in the Fifty-third
Congress was changed into a Republican
majority OF l39 was enough 81 itself TO
stimulate curiosity and then the know
ledge that Reed. OF Maine. was again 10
weld the Speakers gavel and steer legis-
latiOn through the storms and tempests
that rage on the floor of the House,
had powerful attraction.
An hour before noon the galleries were
packed. and crowds forced their way into
the chamber itself. These. however,
were dspossessed by the Doorkeeper as
the hour Of meeting approached and
some minutes before 12 all the seats on
both sides were occupied by those en-
titled 10 them. the pa Republicans occu-
pying, as usual the western side, and
the lO5 Democrats the eastern side.
NO SPECIAL GREETINGS.
All this time the hearty greetings and
animated conversation grew louder and
louder but there was no special greeting
of or applause for particular members
as they entered the hall and took seats
among their fellows.
At noon Rev. Mr. Bagby. Chaplain Of
the last House. offered prayer. Then Mr..
Kerr. Clerk Of the last House. called the
members to order. and said: Under
the provisions of the Constitution of the
United States. this Is the hour fixed
by law for the meeting Of the House
OF Representatives Of the Fifty-fourth
Congress of the United States Of Amer
lea The Clerk of the House of Repre-
sentatives of the Fifty-thrd Congress will
read the names of those whose creden-
tials show that they were regularly
elected TO this body, in pursuance OF the
law Of their States. respectively and Of
the United States The Clerk will now
proceed to call the roll Of States alpha
betically"
REED ELECTED SPEAKER.
Three hundred and forty-one members
responded Mr.. Grosvenor Republican),
OF Ohio. rose and said: II have the honor
to present the name Of Thomas Erackett
Reed. representative in this body from
the State OF Maine, for the office Of
Speaker" Then Mr.. sayers OemocraO,
Of Texas. nominated In the same brief
terms. Charles f. Crisp. representative
from the State of Georgia Mr. Reed
Republcan), Of Maine. was elected
Speaker by a vote Of 23i. as against %
for Crisp OemocraD, Of Georgia; for
Bell GopulisO, OF Colorado. and ! for
CulbersOn DemocraD. OF Texas.
Messrs. Crisp, Grosvenor. and Bell were
designated by the Clerk to conduct the
speaker-elect to the chair and as the
four members marched up the aisle, Reed
and Crisp arm-in-arm, there was a re-
newal Of hand-clapping on the floor and
i'm the galleries. The oath Of Office was
then administered to Mr. Reed by Mr.
Harmer Republicam, Of Pennsylvania,
the member who has had the longest con-
tinual service.
Speaker Reed then made his opening ad-
dress. at the conclusion OF which the oath
Of office was administered by the Speaker
TO the members Of the House, whose
names were called by States, alphabet
cally. beginning with the State Of Ala
bama
The six votes cast for the Populist can
diCate for Speaker to-day were given by
Messrs. Baker. of Kansas: Howard, Of
Alabama; KEN, Of Nebraska, and Shu-
ford, Skinner and Stroud. Of North Caro-
sina
The one vote for Mr.. Culberson was
given by his colleague, Mr.. Grain, this
being the only deviation from the party
programme.
REEDS REMARKS.
Mr.. Reeds speech in taking the chair
was brief and incislve. He would not
speak for the past. he said; the past
could speak for itself Nor would he
speak for the future. as they were not
now putting off the harness. but putting
it on But he suggested that those who
had acted with wisdom in the past might
be fairly expected to act with wisdom in
the future.
After the oath of Office had been ad-
ministered TO the Speaker and all the
members the next step in the Republi-
can programme-the electiin Of House
oficers-was taken. and Messrs Nc
Dowell, Of Pennsylvania; Russell. Of Mis-
souri, Glenn. of New York; McElroy,
of Ohio. and Conden. Of Michigan, were
chosen as Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms: Door
keeper. Postmaster, and Chaplain, re-
spectively.
REED RULES ADOPTED.
The rules Of the Fifty-frst Congress
popularity known as the Reed rules-were
adopted for the government Of the House
for the present. after an assurance from
Mr. Cannon Republican). Of Illinois,
who had offered the resolution. that they
would hereafter be referred to the Com
mittee on Rules. and that the House
would have an opportunity TO discuss
the report Of the committee.
That assurance seemed to satisfy Mr..
Crisp. who had raised the question, and
the matter went through without further
contention.
After some further preliminary pro-
ceedings. and drawing for seats in
the usual manner. i'm which drawing
many OF the prizes fell 10 some of the
least known of the members. and many
of the blanks TO some Of the most dis
tineuished the House adjourned until
tomorrow at noon. and the Clerk gave
notice Of a Democratic caucus imme-
diately.
THE FIRST BILL.
Mr.. Linton Republican. OF Michigan,
had the honor of introducing the first
bin in the Fifty-fourth Congress. The
measure provides for re-classiiication
of railway postal clerks. Under II they
are divided into ten classes. Those of
the first-class are 10 receive salary OF
$500 per year, from which sum their
salaries are graded up TO $3.50 per an
mum. for the tenth grade. Promotions
are 10 be based solely upon efficiency.