Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-03-15
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, March Is.
SENATE.

L u0 SAUThOIuludiy oCSSiOA va oAo
Congress was opened by reading the
Presidents proclamation converting it.
Sixty-eight Senators answered to the
roll call and the galleries were filled to
OVERLOOKING.
Mr.. W. A. Harris (populist of Kan
sas) was sworn in as successor to Mr.
PETER.
The credentials of Henry W. Cor.
bett, appointed by the Governor OF
Oregon to succeed John E. Mitchell
the legislature having failed to elect
were presented by Mr.. Mcbride, who
stated that Mr.. Corbett was present
and ready 10 take the oath of Office.
Mr.. Gray thought that in view of the
unusual circumstances in connection
with the case the credentials should
be referred to the committee on privi-
leges and elections. He made mo
ton to that effect and it was agreed to-.
After the appointment of committees
To notify the President and the House
that the Senate was ready to begin its
duties, recess was taken until 2 p. m.
HOUSE.
The opening of the Fifty-fifth Congress
in extraordinary session was witnessed
in the House to-day by an immense
crowd of spectators. The corridors of
the Capitol were overrun with people
fully an hour before noon, and although
police officers were stationed at the
foot of the marble stair cases to keep
back all who were not provided with
cards of admission there were enough
persons so provided to occupy every
seat in the galleries.
OF the 357 members of the House,
1872 have never before served in that
capacity, while 16 more have served in
former Congresses, making altogether
las new members and 209 who served
in the last Congress. Politically CLASH.
fed there are BOG republicans, 122 dem
Gratis, and 30 fusion silverites and popu-
lists.
Mr.. Galusha A. Grow, of Pennsylva.
mia, who was speaker of the House a
generation ago, was early in attend
ance, moving around and conversing
with friends and acquaintance. The
new member from PennsylvaDia-Mr.
James r. Young-received the kindli
est greetings from his old newspaper
friends, and from his numerous other
acquaintance. Gen. John H. Ketch-
am, of New York, who, after long
service in the House, had retired for
the last two Congresses on account OF
his health, was another of the conspicu-
Gus characters on the floor. So was
the youthful-looking member from
Texas, Mr.. Bailey, who was to receive
! the compliment Of the democratic nom
| nation for the Speakership to-day.
Mr.. Speaker Reed did not make his
appearance on the floor until just be-
fore the stroke of noon.
Mr.. Alexander Mcdowell, clerk OF
the last House, called the House to
order at noon, when prayer was offered
by the blind chaplin, Rev. Mr.. Couden.
He asked an abundant blessing on Con-
gress, that it might become an instru.
ment for the promotion Of great good
and "thus open the channels of industry
every where so that prosperity may
smile upon our people, and our homes
be blessed with abundance"
The clerk then read the Presidents
proclamation converting Congress and
directed the roll of members to be call
ed, by States, alphabetically.
The clerk announced as the result OF
the call that 337 members had answer
ed to their names, and at the same
time suggested that there should be 81
lence on the floor, $50 that the gale
ries may take part in the proceedings"
The oddly of this request created
laughter among members and specta-
tors.
The next business in order, said the
clerk, is the election OF Speaker, and
nominations are now in order.
Mr.. Grosvenor-I have the honor to
present for the Office of Speaker of the
House of Representative of the 55th
Congress Thomas Bracket Reed,
mem ber-elect from the State of Maine.
(Handclapping on the floor and in the
gal!eries)
Mr.. Richardson placed in nomination
Joseph W. Bailey, of Texas. (More
handclappipg.)
Mr.. John c. Bell, populist of Colo
RADIO, was put in nomination by Mr..
Jore OlDp sou.
The clerk stated that there were six
members elect whose names were not
on the roll because their credentials
had not been received by him. They
were from the tenth district of Iowa,
Mr.. Dolliver, the sixth district of Mis-.
sissippi, Mr.. Love, the fourth and
ninth districts of Tennessee, Messrs.
McMillin and Pierce, the first district
of Texas, Mr. Bell, and from Utah, Mr..
King.
Various propositions were made that
those members should be allowed to
take part in the election of Speaker
but the clerk declined to admit requests
for unanimous consent for that purpose;
and member suggested that the clerk
himself was the only person who could
give unanimous consent.
The election of Speaker was then
proceeded with, the result being:
For Mr.. Reed, 1919 votes; Mr.. Bailey,
ia; Mr.. Bell, 81, and Mr.. Newiands,
of Nevada. l..
The announcement was applauded
on the floor and in the galleries.
The clerk announced that Mr.. Reed
having received majority of all the
votes cast was duly elected Speaker;
and he appointed Messrs. Grosvenor,
Bailey and Bell to conduct the Speaker
elect to The chair.
A member appealed to the clerk to
insist on order, and the clerk reulied