Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-03

perhaps the most prominent feature OF the
house.
Al if45 the floor was cleared and those
who had not the privilege of the floor re-
luctantly retired and sought at the thronged
doors of the galleries an opportunity TO get
a glimpse OF the proceedings below. In the
press gallery every seat was taken by cor
respondents OF the great dailies OF the coun-
try.
BROUGHT OUT THE GREAT MACE.
As the hands Of the clock opposite the
speakers desk pointed at IL Colonel Ike"
Hill, the deputy sergeant-a-arms, liited
into its place on the green pedestal alongside
OF the rOstrum the ebony. eagle-surmountcd
mace. the emblem Of the house authority
the flag above the house was run up, aud
Clerk Kerr called the Fifty-fourth house
of repres sntatves to order.
hush Immediately fell upon the assem-
bly,, and Rev. Bagley Of this city, the chap
lain OF the house, offered The invocation.
Under the direction Of MIR. Kerr the roll
OF members Of the Fifty-fourth congress
was called.
MIR. Reed. for whom every one was inqur-
ing, had not yet made his appearance. Mr..
Kerr announced that 3il NJ che 1855 mem
bers Of the house were present, and also
that no credentials had been received from
the Tenth New York and the First Nevada
districts.
Mr. Kerr then called for nominations for
speaker. No nominating speeches were made
MI. pIDSNeHOT, republican VI ouiu,
man Of the republican caucus, placed In
nomination Thomas II. Reed OF Maine; Mr..
Sayers, democrat OF Texas the name Of
Charles +. Crisp OF Georgia; and Mr.. KEN,
populst Of Nebraska John c. Bell of Colo
RADIO. The names of both Mr. Reed and
Mr.. Crisp were vigorously applauded by
their respective party associates.
.Messrs. Hopkins, republican, of Illinois,
Loud, republican, Of California Erdman,
democrat, Of Pennsylvania, and Cachngs,
democrat. of Mississippi, were appointed
tellers and the roll was called, the constitu-
ton requiring the election OF speaker by
a viva voce vote. All the republicans vo'ed
for Mr.. Reed with one exception; all the
democrats for Mr. Crisp and all the populsts
for Mr.. Bell. The exception was Mr.. Grain
from Texas. who. when his name was called,
voted for his colleague, Mr.. Culbarson of
Texas. The result of the vote was: Reed,
234; Crisp, 95 Bell, 6; Culberson |.
Mr.. Kerr's announcement Of Mr.. Reeds
election was greeted with a thunder of ap-
plause
AN OVATION FOR REED.
Messrs. Crisp Grosvenor and Bell were
appointed a committee to conduct the speaker
to the chair and soon appeared at the main
entrance, Mr.. Reed leaning on the arm of
ex-Speaker Crisp, and Messrs Grosvenor
and Bell arm-in-arm. As they moved down
the center aisle the house rose en-
the galleries joining with great enthusiasm
in the demonstration.
AS Mr. Reed ascended the rostrum the
roar swelled until 1t was deafening. Above
this volume of sound came like pistol shots
cries of Reed Reed, Reed" The republicans
cheered many OF them wildly, and the women
in the galleries waved handkerchiefs. For
over minute the demonstration continued.
Mr.. Reed arrayed in long frock coat and
wearing dark four-in-hand tie, stood calmly
and serenely with his hands casped in
characteristic fashion behind his back until
the house was quiet Mr.. Harmer, republican,
of Pennsylvania, the oldest member in con-
tinuous service present, came forward and
administered the oath of Office to the SPEAKER.
The latter then turned to the house. Look
ing into the sea of upturned faces he de-
livered his inaugural. Slowly and distinctly
the words fell from his lips. At many places
his brief speech was punctuated with ap-
pause.
SPEAKER REED GIVES THANKS.
1t will not be unbecoming in, me, hope,
II 1 acknowledge to this asssmblage that 1t
IS very agreeable to me TO- stand t once, once more more
OF the past however, l shall not speak;
for the past speaks for itself in terms more
s Wheh caad auf fo my "1 ps w Nor sRal
speak Of the future for we are not putting
think may venture to say of the future in
the light of the past that If we do something
may be lGf that me whch has
for us on many occasions, may do so again.
Those who have m acted with wisdom +, here,
wisdom hereafter.
I am sorry to say that the pleasure asso-
ciated with the honor you have bestowed on
me, an honor which no American citizen can
fail to appreciate and fo- which 1 give
thanks is but for the moment, while the
cares and responsibilities extend over many
days. So far, as the performance Of my
duties affects the whole people of the United
States invoke their considerate Judgment.
So far as it affects the members of this
house 1 ask from both sides of the chamber
that cordial cooperation without which
cannot hope to succeed assuring them that