The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-19
SENATE.

sage Received aud Read-The TariE Bill
Introduced.
SENATE.
washington, March 15.-The extra
ordinary session Of the Fifty-ffth con-
gress was opened by reading the pres
sdent's proclamation, converting it.
Sixty-eight senator's answered to the
roll call and the galleries were filled 20
overlooking.
Senator w. A. Harris, ~populist, Of
Kansas, was sworn in as successor to
Senator PETER.
The credentials of Henry w. Cor
bett, appointed by the governor OF Ore
gon to succeed John II. Mitchell, the
legislature having failed to elect, were
presented by Senator Mcbride, repub-
1ican, OF Oregon, who stated that Mr..
Corbett was present and ready to take
the oath Of office.
Senator Gray, OF Delaware, thought
that in view OF the unusual circum-
stances in connection with the case,
the credentials should be referred to
The committee on privileges and cleo
tions. He mad a motion to that effect,
and it was agreed to.
After the appointment Of committees
Ito notify the president and the house
that the senate was ready to begin it's
duties, a recess was taken until 2
O'Clock p. m.
AT GIL o'clock Senator's Hoar and
COckrell, the committee On the part OF
the senate, reported that "the presi-
dent extended his cordial greeting and
vIyfrJ16 rnrp NJ - n loo ta n - ro IN writ
ing in a short time"
Assistant Secretary Pruden was an
nounced and presented the message
which was read by the clerk.
The message occupied the undivided
attention of the senators and of the
audience in the galleries., but no de-
monstration followed it's conclusion.
hen, on motion of Senator Allison.
the senate at 1925 o'clock adjourned
until tomorrow at noon.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Washington, March 15.-The opening
OF the Fifty-fifth ongres in e~xtraor-
binary session was witnessed in the
house today by an immense crowd of
spectators. The corridors of the CAPT.
tol 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
OI duI1lSSlOI, Unere were enOuEn per-
sons so provided to occupy every seat
in the galleries..
OF the 357 men who constitute the
membership of the house, 1872 have
never before served in that capacity,
while sixteen more have served in for
mer cOngresses-making altogether 14S
new members and 209 who served in the
last congress. Politically classified,
fhere are 206 republicans, 122 democrats
and 20 fusion silverites and pOpulists.
Speaker Reed did not make his ap-
pearance 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 chaplain, Rev. Mr.. Couden.
The clerk her 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 answered their
names, and at the same time suggested
that there should be silence on the
floor $50 that the galleries may take
part in the proceedings" The oddly of
this request created laughter among
members and spectators.
The next business in order, said the
clerk, was the election OF speaker and
nominations are now in order.
Mr.. G~rosvenOr. of Ohio, nominated
Mr.. Reed, of Maine; Mr.. Richardson,
democrat, of Tennessee, Joseph w.
Bailey, OF Texas: and Mr.. John c. Bell,
populist, of Colorado, was put in nomi-
nation by Mr., Jere Simpson, populist.
of Kansas.
The clerk stated that there were six
members whose names were not on the
roll because their credentials a not
been received by him.. They were from
the Tenth district of Iowa (Mr. DolH-
1,arN fhn Sivth district Of MlSElSSlDDl
(Mr. Love-, the Fourth and Ninth dis
hricts of Tennessee (Messrs. McMlllln
and PIERCE, the First district OF Texas
(Mr. Pell), and from Utah (Mr. king).
The election Of speaker was then pro-
ceeded with, the result being: For Mr..
Reed, 1919 votes; Mr.. Bailey, ia; Mr..
Bell, 81; Mr.. Newlands. Of Nevada, 1.
The announcement was ~applauded on
the floor and in the galleries.
The clerk that Mr.. Reed
having received a majority of all the
votes cast, was duly elected peake
and he appointed Messrs. Grosvenor,
Bailey and Bell to Ondu the speaker
elect to the chair.
A member appealed to the clerk to
insist on order; and the clerk replied
that if every member would keep quiet
the house would be in perfect order,
and the remark was duly appreciated
and hailed with laughter.
Mr.. Reed having been conducted 70
the chair, amid much applause, ad-
dressed the house expressing his
thanks and promising absolute impair
tiality in administering his office. The
oath OF office was then administers
to Mr.. Reed by Mr.. Harmer.
can, Of Pennsylvania, the senior men,
Der in consecutive service. This was
followed by the ceremony or swearing
in the members. 1t was done by call
ing the states in alphabetical order
h representatives from the states
called lining themselves up in the area
facing the clerks desk and holding up
their hands while the speaker admins
tered the oath to them.
Four representatives whose names
had not appeared on the clerks list
were, by unanimous consent, permit
ted to take the oath. They were MessrS.
AIcMillin, democrat, of Tennessee; Dol
liver, republican, of Iowa; Pierce. lem
ocrat. of Tennessee; n Bell, demo-
crat, of Texas.
o. -,o+io, Of Mr. GrnSVpnOr the an