The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-20
REED FOR SPEAKER.
Unanimously Renominated by the
Republican House Caucus.
His Response-Chairman Dingley of the
Ways and Means ami Re-
counts Work Already Done by
Way of Preparation.

WASHINGTON, March 15.-Speaker
Reed was unanimously renominated for
speaker of the house of representatives
at Saturday nights republican caucus.
The attendance of members was I'M
usually large, 1872 of the 2O3 being
present. The new members were on
spicuously numerous.
Mr.. Payne, of New York, was Sc
lected to place Mr.. Reed in nomina-
ton. He referred in f1attering terms
to Mr.. Reeds popularity in the house.
He said that Mr.. Reed was nominated
when the congress was elected; that
he was the choice of the republican
party and that it was the business of
the caucus to respond to the demand.
When Mr.. Payne had taken his seat
Nj. Grosvenor, of Ohio, who occupied
the chair. put the motion, and it was
adopted without a dissenting vote.
Mr.. Payne, of New York, and Mr.. Can
non, of Illinois, two of the vetera MEM
bers of the house, were designated to
escort the speaker, who was quietly
seated in his private Office, to the floor.
As he entered all the members rose to
their feet and greeted him with a
hearty burst of applause. Mr.. Reed
bowed his Acknowledgements, and,
standing in the area before the speak
er'S desk, said:
GENTLEMEN:I am very greatly gratifed by
your kind action tonight, and shall try to serve
your wishes with whatever ability l have.
We have again, as in the las t congress, a po-
litically-diVided legislative power. The house OF
representatives Will be republican by a consid-
cradle majority and, fresh from the people, Will
endeavor to carry out their wishes. l do not
doubt your determination to do all In your
power to bring this session of congress TO a
speedy close. Our duty is simple, and the peo-
pie expect US to perform it at once, and then
leave to them the recovery Of the country from
the stagnation and depression of business
which have so sorely tried the patience OF q Wig
orOuS and growing people.
What others may see fit to do we do not know
but we have strong hopes that all branches OF
the government Will be in accord as TO the pol
icy Of giving to the people Immediately whatever
their wisdom may devise.
Mr.. Dingley, of Maine, chairman of
the ways and means committee of the
last house, was called upon to state
what had been done in preparation for
which an extraordinary session of con-
gress had been called.
Mr.. Dingley said:
1 congratulate the republican members-elect
Of the F'ifty-tifth congress on the prompt and
harmonious manner in which the preliminary
work Of this caucus has been accomplished.
[Applausel. 1 trust that it is an augury Of the
p~romptitude and harmony which will be exhib-
lied in the extra session which will open on
Monday. The republican members of the ways
and means committee Of the last house In re-
Spouse to q general demand for this course,
has occupied several weeks in revising
the tariff with a view Of providing
sufficient revenue to carry on the government
without the necessity Of borrowing in time Of
peace; and at the same time so adjusting these
duties as to encourage the industries Of this
country which have been so badly stricken partly
by excessive foreign competition during the
past three years. [ApplauseI. We hope to COM
plete this work by Monday so as to be able to
present @ taria bill to the house for reference to
the committee on ways and means which will
probably then be appointed, and for prompt re-
port back to the house for its consideration and
action
will not undertake at this time to fore
shadow the provisions Of the bill which re shall
present. Rest assured that whatever short
comings it may have will not be the result Of a
want Of careful consideration, but Of the in
herent difficulties in framing a measure of
such magnitude. The republican members Of
the ways and means committee who have
framed tas measure believe, however, that,
barring the temporary interference Arising from
anticipating importatiOns for the purpose OF
avoiding new duties-an interference which
will depend entirely upon the promptitude or
the delay in its passage, the proposed bill will
secure the two ends so earnertly desired by the
country, sufficient revenue to run the govern
ment,e encouragement of American industries,
and the opening Of abundant opportunities for
labor. [ApplauSe.l
The congress which will meet in extraordi-
nary session on Monday will meet the expecta-
tiOns OF our people without party distinctions
II 1t shall promptly put upon the statute books
q tariff measure that will meet these two needs.
Capital and labor unite in asking that there be
no unnecessary delay. [Applause.I
Mr.. Walker, of Massachusetts,, offered
a resolution providing for a committee
of seven members to revise the rules.
Mr.. WA. Stone, of Pennsylvania, made
a motion to adjourn. This, amid some
confusion, was voted down, and Mr..
Walker was permitted to proceed with
his remarks. He criticised the rules
and maintained that an impression ex-
listed that they did not permit that free
dom of debate which the house desired.
Mr.. Mahaney, of New York, followed
in a few remarks, in which he asserted
Thai the gag" law, which was so prom
inent in the ~Fifty-fourth congress, did
not die in that congress, but had been
re-enacted here. Thatit was the usual
trick of self-constituted leaders tenn
2orarily to move the adoption of the
rules of the preceding congress, but
that it was easier to move Mount Etna''
than to secure their amendment after
this was done.
MIR. Walkers resolution was tabled.
A resolution was adopted which re-
quires the chairman of the caucu to
call a caucus when requested by %
members in writing.
All the present house officers were
then reelected. They are as follows:
II. d. Couden, of Michigan, chap
lain.
Alexander Mcdowell, of Pennsyl-
vania. clerk.
Benjamin F. Russell, of Missouri,
sergeant-at-arms-
w. j. Glenn, of New York, door
keeper.