Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-12-02
republican members and for a minute
or SO the clapping was kept up oa the
floor and was repeated from the gal


or SO the clapping was kept up on the
floor and was repeated from the gal
leries.
Then Mr.. Sayers, OF Texas, demo-
crat, nominated in the same brief terms,
Charles F. Crisp, representative from
the State of Georgia.
The organization of the House was
then completed by the election of the
officers nominated by the republican
caucus on Saturday night.
a substitute which was offered by
MIR. Sayers electing the present demo-
cratic holders of these Offices, was put
10 viva voce vote.
The Speaker said, with an amusing
pretence of hesitation, that the "noes"
appeared to have it, and then, after
general laughter, he announced that the
'snoesn had it.
The newly elected officials had the
oath administered to them: and it is
supposed that they made no undue de-
lay in entering on their duties.
Mr.. Reed was then elected Speaker
by vote of 294 as against IS for Mr..
Crisp, 6 for Mr.. Bell and for Mr.. Gull
| berson.
All these formalities having been OBJ
served the new Speaker made his open
ing address. He said:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
1t will not be unbecomipg in me. 1 hope, if l
express to this assembly and acknowledge to
it that it is very agreeable to me to stand
once more in the place which left four years
ago. Applause and laugbter.l Uf the past,
however, 1 shall not speak, for the past can
| speak for itself in words more fitting and
suitable than any which can come properly
from my lips Nor shall I speak of the
future. for we are not now putting off the
harness, but putting it on. Yet hope may
say of the future, in the light of the past, that
if at any time anything is done that may
seem inadequate time which has justified 1T
self of US on many occasions may do so again.
Those who have acted with wisdom in tine
past may be fairly expected TO act with
wisdom in the future.
The pleasure associated with the honor
you have bestowed on mel an honor which
every American citizen can appreciate, and
for which give thanks, is hut for moment;
while the cares and responsibilities will e1-
tend themselves over many weary days.
| So far as the performance of my duties
affects the people of the United States, ask
their considerate Judgment So far IS it
affects the members of this House, l ask the
cordial co operation of the gentlemen on both
sides of the chamber, without which I cannot
hope to succeed, assuring them that no effort
on my part will be spared to aid them in the
performance of their duties by that entire
| impartiality which is their just due. Loud
applause
The oath of Office was then admins
tered by the Speaker to members of
the House whose names were called by
States alphabetically, beginning with
the State of Alabama.
The drawing of seats was then begun,
the usual courtesy of allowing ex
Speakers of the House to select their
seats without being subject to the
yissicitudes of chance being extended.
There are two ex-Speakers in the
House-Messrs. Grow, of Pennsylvania,
and Crisp, of Georgia, and these gentle
men chose their seats-the former
about the centre of the republican side
and the latter squarely in the centre of
the democratic side.
Then all the members, except Messrs.
Grow and Crisp, vacated their seats and
retired behind the screen. The num-
bers corresponding to their names we're
placed in 6 box on the clerks desk and
were we'll shaken, from which blind
folded page began to draw them, one
by one, in disregard of the anti-lottery