The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-11

the members good naturally exchanged
salutations The Democrats, who four
years laughed at the expense of their po-
litical adversaries, today had the tables
turned upon them.
REED APPEARS.
Exactly at u o'clock Speaker Reed,
clad in long black frock coat, ascend
ed the rostrum and, standing in front of
the bright American flag which draped
the walls in his rear, with one sharp rap
of his gavel, subdued the countless babel
of voices.
Rev. Ccuder, the blind chaplain, SEEM
ed impressed with the spirit Of the occa-
sicn, delivered an inspired prayer
Many OF the spectators rose and stood
with bowed heads. As soon as the read
ing OF the journal was begun, the babel
broke forth again, TO be interrupted with
sharp round of applause from the Re-
puhlicans, as Sir Dingley, chairman Of
the committee on ways and means and
floor leader Of the house, walked down
the aisle to his seat When the reading
was concluded some routine matters in
which the spectators were in no wise in
terested. was transacted to kill time I'M
til the event OF the day was due. AT
1850 p. m, the house took a recess for
five minutes.
IN THE GALLERIES.
In the meantime, every seat in the gal
Ieries. save those reserved for the execu-
tive and diplomatic corps, was taken.
No member Of the presidents household
was in the gallery reserved for him, but
the family Of Vice President Stevenson
occupied one of the plush covered ben
ches.
The diplomatic gallery was almost en-
PITY. only half dozen foreign representa-
tives being present. The dearth Of dip
ionats was accounted for by the fact
that many Of them were at Charleston,
s. c., witnessing the maneuvering Of the
Atlantic biockading squadron.
SENATE FILES IN.
Shortly after 1 o'clock the members Of
the senate left their chamber at the
north side of the capitol and walked
through the house passage through the
vast rctunda and the old hall of repre-
sentatives, now Statuary hall, where the
civic and martial heroes Of the states
looked down upon them.
Their approach was heralded by the
entrance of General Richard J. Bright,
the sergeant-at-arms of the senate. who
States" Then, in solemn procession, they
flied in, preceded by Mr.. Cox. clerk of the
senate, and Vice President Stevenson,
and took their seats in the first four
rows to the right of the speakers desk,
which had been vacated for that purpose
during the recess. The members of the
house remained standing while the SEN
aters took their places. The assistant of
Mr.. Cox carried the red cherry steel
clasped box in which the returns of the
furty-five states reposed.
STEVENSON PRESIDES.
Vice President Stevenson. who, by law,
presided over the joint session, took his
place by the side of Speaker Reed The
tellers. Senator Lodge OF Massachusetts
and Senator Blackburn OF Kentucky, on
behalf Of the senate, and Mr.. Grosvenor
OF Ohio and Mr.. Richardson of Tennes-
see, on behalf Of the house. assembled to
the clerks desk Immediately below the
speaker, TO be prepared to count the
vote
liz was rather a strange coincidence
that both Mr.. Blackburn and Mr. Lodge
Chen members of the house, acted as tel
lers On the occasion of the counting of
the vote four years ago.
Vice President Stevenson assumed the
joint session. He then unlocked the
cherry box and broke the seal of the
return of each state as it was reached.
THE COUNT BEGINS.
The formal certificate of Alabama was
read in full by Mr. Blackburn after
Which the reading of the long certificates
was dispensed with, on motion of Sena-
tor Sherman, the teller simply announc-
Ing the result after ascertaining by in
epeotion that they were in due order.
The tellers made the announcement in
rotation. 1t fell to the lot Of Mr. Black
burn to announce first the eleven votes Of
Alabama for Pryan and Sewall. Mr..
Lodge first announced eight votes of Ar
kansas for Bryan. five votes for Sewall
and three for Watson. Mr.. Grosvenor
announced CALIFORNIA; vote, but it was
not an unadulteTated pleasure as one of
the nine vCTes went to Bryan Mr. Rich
ardson's first announcement was the
four votes of Colorado for Bryan and
Sewal
Upon the announcement Of the vote Of
Connecticut, there WAS some confusion in
the gallery opposite the speakers chair.
caused by the fainting or a lady. She
was promptly carried forth 10 the CORR
dor.
South Cardinals vote was counted
without interruption. Representative
Murray, who had talked of chal-
longing the vote. had left the Repub-
lean side and was II the rear row of the
Democratic side. lie made no attempt
10 interrupt the vote, which was record
ed for Bryan, il accordance with the re-
turns.
There was nc demonstration during the
several announcements. The dignified
and solemn president of the senate SEEM
Ell to pat danller upCl The usually eff
fervescent spirits Of The house The gal
leries. impressed ny tha profound char
acter OF the prCcee dings. were restrained
by the quiet which reigned on the floor.
Tally CARDS had been distributed about
the house and many members and sever
al senators checked olf the states as their
votes wera announced. A hearty laugh
Sa4M ~