The Mena weekly star., 1897-03-17
CONGRESS- MEETS.
Thomas B. Reed Reflected Speaker of
 tho House by Vote of I9o.
SENATOR HARRIS SWORN IN.
The Credentials Of IKonry ". Corbett, Ap- pointed by tho Governor Of Oregon, Were Prcsented and Referred
 The Message Read.

WASHINGTON, March 15.-The main interest in the assembling of the Fiftv- hatth congress in extra session to-day under President McKinley's call, cen tered in the house where organization and the seat lottery were the drawing cards. Great crowds were in the gal leries hours before noon, but the gem eral public had small opportunity to view the proceedings. The section op- poslte the speakers rostrum comiaonly known as tho "blacl belt, which has a seating capacity of 300, was given up to the public. The other galleries were strictly reserved for ticket hold CTS.
 The most striking feature of the scene on the floor WIS tho number of new faces. Figures conspicuous in the shock of many parliamentary battle had disappeared and instead were new and untried men. The change in the personnel was very great. By fl o'clock the reserved galleries with the excep- tion of those for the diplomatic corps and the executive were crowded. The bright costumes of the ladies gave light and color to the scene. As tha hands of the clock pointed to l2. Mai. Mcdowell, clerk of the last house, rapped the members to order and then Rev. Mr. Couden, the blind chaplain. delivered the invocation. The clerk then read the presidents proclama- tion convening congress and the roll was called. Thomas B. Reed, of Maine, was reelected speaker, the vote stand ing: Reed, 199; Bailey, of Texas, IA, Bell, populist, of Colorado. 2l; New lands, silverite of Nevada, l. Tho other republican caucus nominees for the various house offices were then elected. All held similar positions in the last house. The presidents mes sage soon after was read
 In the senate there was an album dance of flowers on the desks when Mir. Hobart rapped for order, and there was m exceptionally full attendance The public galleries were packed and the reserved galleries were well filed The chaplain's opening prayer invoked divine grace and blessing OH the sen 1 ators anu members nov abouO to talxe up the work of the extraordinary ses- sion, and upon the president and vice president. The roll call disclosed the presence of 6s senators The new sen ator from Kansas, w. A. Harris, took the oath of office.
 Mr. Mcbride, of Oregon, presented the credentials of Henry ". Corbett, appointed by the governor of Oregon to fill the vacancy caused by the failure to elect successor to Mir. Mitchell The governors certificate was read and Mir. Mcbride requested that the new senator be sworn in if there were no objection, but MT. Gray. of Dela- ware, said that unusual circumstances attended the appointment and that the credentials should be scrutinized. IIa moved that they be referred to the committee on privileges and elections and 1t prevailed by unanimous vote.
 Mir Iloar and Mr. CoclSrell were named q committee to wait on the president and inform him that congrses was in session and ready to receive any communication from him, and the sen ate then, at 1920 o'clock, took recess until , o'clock.
 At 3:15 Assistant Secretary Pruden announced and presented the message. which was read by the clerk and ct 3:25 the senate adjourned.
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