Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-16
IN THE HOIISE

The opening of the Fifty-ffth congress
in extraordinary session was witnessed
in the house today by an immense crowd
| of spectators. The corridors of the cap
itol were overTnn with people 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 men who constitute the mem
bership of the house, 1872 have never
served before in that capacity, while
sixteen more have served in former con-
crosses, making altogether 143 new mem
bers and 209 who served in the last con-
gress. --s.
Politically classified there are 206 re-
publicans, 122 democrats and 20 fusion
silyerites and populists. s
Speaker Reed did not make his appear4
ance on the floor until just before the
stroke of noon.
Alex. Mcdowell, clerk of the last house,
called the house to order at noon, when
prayer was offered by the blind chap
lain, Mr.. Couden.
The clerk then read the presidents
proclama ton convening cong ress, and
directed the roll of members to be called
by states, alpha abetically.
The clerk announced as the result of the
call chat 337 members had answered to
their Names. and at the same time sug-
B6StSQ IE9I there SHOulQ DE SILENCE Oh
the floor 80 that the galleries may take
part in the proceedings"
The oddity of this request created
laughter among members and spectators.
The next business in order, said the
clerk, is the election of a speaker, and
nominations are now in order.
Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio, nominated
Mr.. Reed, of Maine; Mr.. Richa rdison, OF
Tennessee, nominated Joseph W. Bailey,
of Texas, and John C. Bell, populist of
Colorado, was put In nomination by Mr..
J. s. Simpson, populist, of Kansas.
The clerk stated that there were six
members-elect whose names were not on
the roll because their credentials had
mot been received by him. Thy were from
the Tenth district of Iowa, Mr.. Dolliver,
the Sixth district of Mississippi Mr..
Love; the Fourth and Ninth districts of
the Firzt district of Texas, Mr.. Bell, and
from Utah, Mr.. King.
The election of speaker was then pro-
ceeded with, the result being: For Mr..
Reed, 1893; for Mr.. Bailey, 144; for Mr..
Bell, 21; and for Mr.. Newlands, of Ne
vada, 1.
The announcement was applauded on
the floor and in the galleries.
The clerk announced that Mr.. Reed,
having received a 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 in
sist on order, and the clerk replied that
If every member would keep uuiet the
house would be in perfect order, and the
remark was duly appreciated and hailed
with laughter.
Mr.. Reed, having been conducted to the
chair amid much applause, addressed the
house, expressing his thanks and prom
ising absolute impartiality in administer
ing his Office.
The oath of office was then adminis-
tered to Mr.. Reed by Mr.. Harmer re-
publican of Pennsylvania, the senior
member in consecutive service.
This was followed by the ceremony
of swearing in the members. 1t was done
by calling the states in alpha be; ical order
the representatives from the states
called lining themselves up in the area
facing the clerks desk and holding up
their hands while the speaker admin
.istered the oath to them
4 Four REPRESENTATIVES, whose names had
not appeared on the clerks list were by
unanimous consent permitted to take the
oath of officerSedqhm hm Inn hm hrniln
oath. They were McMillin, democrat, of
Tennessee; bolivar, republican, of Iowa;
Pierce, democrat, Of Tennessee, and Bell,
democrat, of Texas.
On motion of Mr.. Grosvenor, republican.
of Ohio, the appointment of the follow
ing officers was made: Alex MCDOWELL,
of Pennsylvania, clerk; Benjamin F. Rus
sell, of Missouri. sergeant-at-a arms; viii
liam ]. Glenn of New York, door keeper;
Joseph, c. McElroy, of Ohio, postmaster,
and Henry M. Couden. of Michigan,
chaplain.
The democratic and populist- substi-
tutes were formally proposed and re-
jected without. a division.
The officers thus elected had the oath
administered to them. which included
the declaration that they would not di-
vulge the secrets of the house. Reso-
lutions to notify the senate and presi-
dent of the organization of the house
were passed and committee of three
members TO join a ike committee on the
part of the senate was appointed to
wait upon the president
The first hitch In the otherwise smooth