The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-03

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-The Amerl-
can Congress is again in session.
Promptly at noon to-day the Senate
and House were called to order in their
respective chambers amid the scenes
of animation and excitement marking
the opening of Congress. All Wash
ington lays siege on the big capitol
building on opening days, and to-day
there was added interest on account of
the present changes involved and the
large influx of new blood. The crowd
came through drilling rain, mist and
mud, in conyeyances, street cars and
in long lines afoot, pouring through
the many entrances, choking the cor
ridors and elevators and besieging the
galleries far beyond their capacity.
But it was an orderly crowd, and the
largely augmented force of officers
had little trouble in preserving order
and preventing confusion. BY 10: 80
o'clock-an hour and half before the
time of meeting the public galleries
in both houses were filled and an eager
crowd overfowed into the outer cor
ridors Many ladies were in the throng
but there was a noticeable lack of the
color and fair weather costumes which
usually give touch Of brightness TO the
sombre chambers.
THE DAY IN THE HOUSE
The House of Representatives passed
to-day into the control of the Republi-
cans, and Thomas Bracket Reed, Of
Maine, who, as Speaker of the Fifty
first House. broke down the preeedents
.aI. aT 10
party associates and storm of denHn-
citation from his political adyersaries.
again triumphantly assumed the
Speakers gayel, after having seen the
succeeding Democratic Congress
adopt the principles he had estab-
liSlied.
The opening session of the lIous.
was. as usual. an animated and bril-
liant occasion. set off with crowded
galleries in holiday attire, Intoxicating
with the perfume of hundreds Of horal
tributes to popular members and per-
vaded with spirit of jubilation and
good nature.
Old familiar faces were absent but
there were plenty OF new ones to take
their places. Still, the proceedings
themselves, as usual with opening ses-
sions, We're of routine character and
devoid of interesting or sensational
features. The House simply organ
lied, 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 lottery or seat drawing con
test.
Speaker Reed was beyond question
the star of the occasion. His appear
ance was the signal for most fiatter-
ing and enthusiastic demonstration.
His Inauguration was modest and full
of good feeling but tnon-committala to
policies. However, il was not expected
that the Speaker would touch theques-
tions to be. dealt with by the House.
EK-Speaker Crisp assumed the leader
ship of the minority and it was signi-
ficant that Mr.. Payne, of New York,
made the motion which usually de-
wolves upon the leader of the majority.
This is taken to mean that he is TO be
chairman of the Ways and Means Com
mittee and the recognized leader of
the Republicans on the floor
The session opened quietly and au-
spciously As the hand of the clock,
opposite the Speakers desk, pointed to
the hour of II, Col. Ike Hill. the De-
putty Sergeant-at-.Arms, lifted into it's
place on the green malachite pedestal
alongside of the rostrum the ebony
eagle surmounted mace, the emblem
of the Houses authority. The flag
above the House was run up and Hon.
James Kerr, the Clerk of the last
House, called the Fifty-fourth House
of Representatives to order.
4 hush Immediately fell upon the
assembly, and the Rev, Bagby, OF this
city, the chaplain Of the House, offered
the Invocation.
Under the direction of Mr.. Kerr, the
roll of the members was called and 1T
was found that 34t of the 356 members
wefe present
During the rol-call many of the
members moved about among their
colleagues and the buzz of conversa-
tion was resumed.
REED WAS THE HERO.
Mr. Reed, for whom every one was
inGuiring, had not made his appear
ance, but ex-Speaker Crisp, who had
taken a seat about the center of the
Democratic side, was pointed out as he
sat chatting to those around him. Mr..
Kerr then, in accordance with the crs-
tom, stated the first thing in order was
The election of the presiding officers,
and called for nominations for Speaker.
No nominating speeches were made.
Nj. Grosvenor (Rep., Ohio, chairman
OF the Republican caucus, placed in
nomination Thomas Bracl<t Reed, OF
Maine; Mr.. Sayers 0em., Teyas) pre-