The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07
THE HOUSE.
The Usual Buzz, Flowers and Familiar
Scenes of Opening Day.


Washington, Dee THE house pre-
sented an animated scene for an hour
before Speaker Reed appeared The
galleries. to which the public were ad-
mltted without cards, were crowded to
the doors before IL o'clock, while the
halls were jammed with those unable
to gain entrance The reserved gal
leries filed more slowly, but before p
o'clock were frightened with the hand
some gowns of women. From the floor
below rose the indescribable buzz of
many voices as the members exchanged
greetings, with much handshaking
after the manner of college chums
meeting again after the long vacation.
Pages We're scurrying about carry
ing to the seats of memb bers flowers
and floral pieces from constituents or
admiring friends. Among the mem
bers thus honored We're Nfessrs. Turner
of Georgia, Howard of Alabama,
Fletcher of Minnesota. BrOmWell of
Ohio. Gibson of Tennessee. Bailey of
Texas, Lorimer of Illinois. Lacey of
Iowa. Loud of California, Livingston of
Georgia, Belknap of Illinois and Bur
ton of Ohio.
A black pail covered the conspicuous
desk of the late ex-Speaker Crisp, the
Democrat tic leader On it were some
cut flowers. His portrait in the lobby
in the rear of the house was also
wreathed with calla lilies.
on the desk of Mercer of Nebraska,
secretary of the congressional campaign
committee, was a huge shield Of chrys-
anthemums and American beauty
roses, across which was written in
large letters: Secretary while on
that of MI BabcOck of Wisconsin,
chairman of the committee, was min
iature chair of roses and soft MOSES
There were many conspicuous person
ages both on the floor and in the gal
lery.
NJ. Paternotre, the French ambassa-
dor, and several other diplomats with
their families We're in the diplomatic
gallery Tt was notable. perhaps sig
nificant, that all the Ohio members
We're the centers of little groups of
members. There were no demonstra-
tions of any character. As the hands
of the clock pointed to y. Speaker
Reed quietly entered the hall and as
cended the rOStrum- He was attired
in a black frOck coat ana looked
bronzed and vigorous
The silver mace, the emblem Of the
authority of the house was lifted TO ITS
place on the green malachite pedestal
to the right of the rOstrum and with
sharp crack of the gaVel, the speaker
called the house to order. The hum of
conversat ton instantly ceased and the
galleries became quiet Rev COWder or
Michigan the blind chaplain of the
house offered the invocation.
J William Stokes then was sworn in
as a member from the seventh congress
sionaI district of South Carolina.
The credentials of Charles A Boatner
from the Fifth district of Louisiana,
were read also Both of these gentle
this congress but their seats were con-
tested and declared vacant by the
house at the last session. They We're
then reelected. The usual formal resO-
luton for the appointment Of a com
mittee to join a similar committee of
the senate to inform the president that
the house was ready to proceed to bust
ness and another directing the clerk to
inform the senate that the house was
prepared to proceed were adopted The
speaker appointed Mr.. Cannon Of Illi-
nois Mr.. Payne of New York, and Mr.
Turn of Georgia to constitute the
committee
The selection of Mr. Turner was con
sidered a significant indication that the
Georgia member would succeed ex-
Spea aker Crisp as a member OF the com
mittee on rules as it was a formal rec
ognition of him as the leader on the
Democratic side. In order to await the
presidents message, the house on mo-
ton of Mr.. Henderson Of Iowa, took
recess until 1.30.