The Portland daily press., 1897-03-16
A SPECIAL SESSION.
Congress Convenes BY Order of Presi
dent Mckinley.


PRESIDENT McKinley's Letter Listened To-
Washington, March 145.-Today when
the 55th Congress convened In extraordi-
nary session, the audience was as large
as tue galleries of the H ouse could ac
| comm0date.
WRen the nominations for Speaker
were In order, General Grosvenor of Ohio,
the leader of the Mckinley forces in the
House, nominated "Thomas b. Reed :,
member-eleot of this House from the
State of Maine.
At the mention of Mr.. Reeds name
the Republican members applauded
vigorously.
Richardson Of Tennessee. put in nomi-
nation Bailey, and Jerry Simpson nomi-
mated Bell of Colorado, the cand idate of
the Populists. The vote resulted as fol-
lows: Reed 199, Bailey ia, Bell 81, New
lands /.
Mr.. Reed was escorted to the chair by
committee consisting Of Grosvenor,
Bailey and Bell. When the Speaker en-
| tered the chamber the Republican men,
bers arose and applauded him. He made
brief speech of acceptance.
| He said: Gentlemen of the House of
REPRESENTATIVES 1t has been the custom
| for hundred years for speakers-elect to
| so fully express their gratitude and their
sense of honor conferred that the
| language by which the thanks are con-
| veyed, mas been long ago exhausted. Will
you pardon me If confess that on all Oc-
casioHs when have stood here l have
been more oppressed by the sense of re-
sponsibility than oheered by the sentiment
of thankfulness.
| "Yet 1 appreciate-no man more--the
high honor Of your vote and the conf
denoe which dictated 1t. High at the
| honor Is it will surely fade unless your
favor is permanent. l cannot, having had
experience, expect to please all Of you al
ways. I do hope with your assistance and
your kind forbearance, to administer
| Justice to each member and both sides of
the chamber under the rules established
by the House OF Representatives without
| fear, favor or hope Of reward"
| The oath was then Administered by
Harmon of Pennsylvania, the Oldest
mem Der In continuous service.
The Massachusetts and Michigan men
were sworn in together. Ehesold officers
of the House were elected by viva voce
vote.
Resolutions to notify the Senate and
the President of the organization of the
| House were passed and q committee of
three mem hers to join like committee
on the part Of the Senate was appointed
to wait upon the President. Mr.. Hender-
son. Republican of Iowa, offered a resolu-
tion that until otherwise ordered the
rules of the House in the 54th Congress
be adopted as the rules Of the House in
the Both Congress and on this he moved
the previous question. MIR. Hepburn,
Republican of Iowa, proposed an amend
ment limiting the continuance of those
rules to thirty days from this date.
Mr.. MoMilliI asked Mr. Henderson
whether it was the purpose of the COM
mittee on rules to dsport q code Of rules
and let the House have an opportunity to
vote upon them.
"There is no doubt" said Mr.. Hender-
son, THAT that will be done. The House
amendments to the rules that will be
presented.
The vote taken by yeas and nays
resulted in ordering the previous question
on Mr.. Henderson s resolution, 1873 yeas
TO 1873 nays. The point was raised that
under the rules there were twenty
minutes for debate. The Speaker said
had allowed twenty minutes for debate,
this was not the rule under which they
were now acting The question be said
was now on agreeing to the resolution.
The House divided and the Speaker re-
ported ayes 157 nays 133 So Mr.. nender-
sons resolution was agreed to. The usual
drawing of seats WAS proceeded with,
preference being given on account of
long service to Mr.. Grow, Republican of
Pennsylvania. Mr.. Holman, Democrat of
Indiana, Mr.. Herner, Republican of
Pennsylvania. Two-thirds of the seats
were engaged before Mr.. Dingley's name
was called. While the drawing of seats
was proceeding, the committee appointed
to wait upon the President, reported the
President had "sent his kindly greetings
to Congress" and said he would COM
municate Immediately in writing.