The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-08
REED ON HAND.

-.
AS the hands Of the clock pointed to
IL, Speaker Reed quietly entered the
hall and assembled the rostrum. He was
attired in black-frock coat, and looked
bronzed and vigorous. The silver
mace, the emblem of the authority OF
the house, was lifted to it's place on
the green malachite pedestal to the
right of the roStrum, and, with a sharp
crack of the gayel, the speaker called
the house to order. The hum of con-
versation instantly ceased, and the gal
leries became quiet Rev. Cowden, of
Michigan the blind chaplain Of the
house, offered the invocation. When
it was finished, the speaker ordered the
clerk to call the roll. The roll call
showed the presence of 271 members.
As soon as the speaker announced
the presence of a quorum, and that
the house was ready to proceed to.
business, a dozen members demanded
recognition, but the speaker first re-.
ceived the usual message from the sem
ate, stating. that the senate had a
quorum present and was ready to pro-
coed to business ,r,sr
J. William Stokes then was sworn in
as a member from the Seventh con-
gressional district Of South Carolina.
The credentials of Charles j. Boatner,
from the Fifth district of Louisiana,
were read also Both of these gentle
men received certificates of election to
this congress, but their seats were con-
tested and declared vacant by the
house at the last session. They were
then reelected.
The usual formal resolutions for the
appointment of a committee to join a
similar committee from the senate and
inform the president that the house
was ready to proceed to business. and
another directing the clerk to inform
the senate the house was ready for
business were adopted
The speaker appointed Mr.. Cannon,
of Illionis; Mr.. Payne, of New York,
and Mr.. Turner, of Georgia, to COM
pose the committee. The selection of
Mr.. Turner was considered a signif-
cant indication that the Georgia men,
Der would succeed ex-Speaker Crisp
on the committee on rules, as it was
formal recognition of him as the
leader on the democratic side. In order
to await the report Of the committee,
the house, On motion of Mr.. Henderson,
of Iowa, took a recess until 80.
The house took a further recess I'M
til p. M, and then Mr.. Pruden, the
presidents executive clerk, presented
the message which was read by the
direction Of the speaker. The opening
words Of the message, congratulating
the country on the result of the elec-
ton, created a broad smile, the Demo-
Gratis as well as the Republicans seem
ing to enjoy the anomalous political
condition which allowed a Democratic
president to felicitate himself upon q
victory gained under the banner of the
Republican party. The presidents en-
pressions on Cuba and Venezuela were
listened to attentively, but there were
no demonstrations, either when he an.
nounced that the administration
some months ago had suggested home
rule for Cuba to Spain, or when he an
nounced the termination of the con-
troversy between Great Britain and the
United States over the Venezuelan
boundary line.
Fheraewas not much interest in the
remaindfrsDf the message except those
portirnss relating to the tariff, the cur
rencg andtrustA At its conclusion, on
motion of Mr.sDingley (Rep., Maine)
the message and accompanying docu,s
nents were referred to the committee
of the whole on the state of the Union
Mr. Grow, (Rep., Pa.) showed a dis
position to debate the message but
yielded until a later time.
Mr.. Turner Dem, Ga.) then infor-
mally announced the 'untimely death
of his late colleague, ex-Speaker Crisp.
and stated that at some future day he
would ask the house to fix a day for
paying tribute to his distinguished
character and eminent public service.
A resolution presented by him, recit-
ing that the house had heard with pro-
found regret the announcement Of Mr..
Crisp's death, was adopted, after which
at 3:45 p. M, as further mark Of re-
spect, the house Immediately adjourn
ed until tomorrow.