The Portland daily press., 1897-12-07
AN ADJOURNMENT TAKEN IN RE
SPEJT TO DECEASED MEMBERS.
Messrs. Dingley, Bailey and Grosvenor a
Committee From House to Wait on the
President-HouseO Opening With Gavel
Presented Speaker BY Tennessee Re-
publicans-Message Generally Ap-
proved by Republicans.


proved by Republicans.
Washington, December 6.-The opening
of the regular session In the House passed
without unusual incident of any
character. The formalities attending the
inauguration of the session were dry and
except as spectacle, hardly repaid the
crowds which thronged the galleries. Yet
with few exceptions the visitors sat
through the whole proceedings. Mr..
Dingley, the floor leader of the majority,
Mr.. Bailey, the recognized leader of the
minority and Mr. Grosvenor of Ohio, en-
loyed the honor of being appointed to
wait upon the President whose message
was the event of the day. Its reading was
long and tedious, but it was followed
with close attention by the member and
spectators. Thers was no demonstration
until the reading was concluded, when
the Republicans Joined in a hearty ex-
preston of approval. Immediately after
the reading of the message the House ad-
journed out of respect to the memories of
Senator George of Mississippi and Repre-
sentative Wright of Massachusetts, who
had died during the recess.
AT fifteen minutes before noon the floor
was cleared of all persons except member
and officers. Soon afterward Mr. Bailey of
Texas. the leader of the minority, and
'Silver Dollar Bland of Missouri.
entered the hall together.
MIR. Dingley, the floor leader of the
House, smiling and affable as ever, came
IN Just before the Speaker appeared. He
had difficulty in making his way to his
seat, owing to the pressure of those who
desired to extend their greetings. AS the
hands OF the clock pointed to the hour of
twelve. Speaker Reed, attired in black
outaway coat and wearing a red tie
pushed through the green baize doors
from the lobby and assembled the rostrum.
One crack of the gavel subdued the din
on the floor and the conversation in the
overhanging galleries. The gavel with
order was presented to him by j. G.
Groner, sheriff of Knox county, Tennes-
see, who sent 1t in the name of the SStal-
wart Republicans of East Tennessee -
The gayel is madeaof an apple tree wood
which grew beside the house in which
Farragut was born. This house stood at
loves ferry on the Tennessee river, six
tion of huge gavel in red and white car
nations stood upon the Speakers desk.
The prayer of Rev. Charles A. Berry of
Wolverhampton, England, was solemn
and impressive. The Speaker then imme-
d1ately directed the clerk to call the roll
In the reserved galleries were many dis
tInguished people who attracted much at
tention. In the diplomatic gallery were
Mr.. Lefavre, charge atfaires. and other
attaches of the French embassy; Senior
Corea charge ''affaires of the Greater Re-
public of Central America, and other
diplomats, SSand in eethe executive gallery
reserved Tor the President were many of
the executive household.
Among the ex-members on the floor
were Deacon" White of New York, Mr.,
Weadock of Michigan, and Mr.. Kerr of
Pennsylvania.
The roll call showed the presence of 301
mem bers. There were five vacancies from
death or resignation during the recess.
and the credentials of the members elect
were read by the direction of the Speaker
who the administered the oath of Office to
them. They were +. III. Griffith, Demo-
crat, successor to the late Judge Holman
of the fourth Indiana district; Ell. S.
Boutelle, Republican of Chicago, who
succeeded Edward d. Cook, deceased:
James Norton, Democrat. of the seventh
South Carolina district who succeeded
John L. McLaurin, now Senator, Geo.
f. f. Lawrence, Republican, of the first
Massachusetts district who Succeeded
Ashley B. Wright, deceased, and e. ii.
Denning, Democrat, of the third New
York district, who succeeds Francis II
Wilson, who resigned to accept the
position of postmaster of Brooklyn. The
latter's credentials had not yet arrived
but the oath was administered to him bv
unanimous consent. asked by Mr.. Harley
Republican of New York
On motion of Mr.. Perkins, Repub1icaD n |
of Illinois, the clerk was directed to noti- |
fy the Senate that the House was ready |
for business and on motion of Mr.. Dino
ley, the floor leader, resolution was
adopted for the appointment of com |
mittee of three to join the COMMITTEES of |
the Senate to wait on the President and |
inform him that Congress was ready to |
receive any communication he desired to |
make.
The Speaker selected Messrs. Dinpley of
Maine. Grosvenor of Ohio, and Bailey of |
Texas for this honor
On motion of Mr.. Henderson of Iowa
a member of the committee on rules. the |
rule at the extra session for three day ad-
journments was vacated and daily ses-
sions to begin at noon each day were Or
dered.