The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-01-22
ORGANIZATION
EFFECTED AT LAST
Benson Men Get In Their Work and
Are Sworn In.
no TRAGEDIES PERPETRATED
Temporary Speaker Davis Still Claims
10 BE IN POwer-complications
Arise in the Senate.

Special 20 the Astorian.
Salem. oregon. January 2L-Two |
o'clock was the hour set by the Benson
men for organization Of the lower
house with majority numbering
thirty-one. and the entire program was
carried out with no friction. The Ben
son men were early In their seats. So
were two Democrats. Gratke. Of Clat-
sop. and Misener Of Crook Riddle,
Republican, and Speaker Davis were
also present. assuring an attendance
OF more than thirty-one.
At 2 o'clock. when Speaker Davis
called the members 20 order. an audible
rustic Of expectancy passed around the
house. The speaker directed Clerk
Moody to call the roll. which showed
90 present and "a absent. The first
formal move Of the Benson men was
made by Brown. who addressed Speak
er Davis. and. being recognized, said:
We have sat here for ten days in our
effort to organize this house: but the
rulings Of the temporary speaker have
at ali times been adverse to the posi-
bility Of Organization. II he has been
conscientious in his ruling / respect
him" Brown then offered a formal
resolution. as follows:
Resolved. That the present tempo
rary speaker. Mr.. E. J. Davis. be and
he Is hereby removed; and that DIR. j.
y. Smith be and he Is hereby elected
speaker pro TEN I'm his stead; second
that E. r. Lake and Mr.. F. s. Stanley
be and they are hereby appointed a
committee 10 escort DR.. J. n. Smith
to the speakers chair"
We have serious business 10 do"
Brown said.
Mr.. Speaker. interrupted Riddle.
OF Douglass. addressing Davis. II desire
10 enter an emphatic protest against
this proceeding am against this
resolution.
He then read an opinion of Hon.
George II. Williams against the legal
ity Of the proceeding Riddle then re-
tired.
Il will ask the speaker to put the
question" said Brown, although I
realize that this is a delicate matter for
him"
This whole proceeding Is out OF or
der" replied Davis. cooily, "and l de-
cline to put the question"
Il will put the question" continued
Brown. "All who favor the resolution
viii say aye"
Thele was a loud chorus of ayes"
Those opposed. no"
Several yells of mo" came from the
lobby.
Carried" cried Brown.
Smith was marched up beside Speak
er Davis. When he was opposite the
speaker, Smith, who is a very small
man. nervously extended his hand to
Davis, who is quite tall, and there
was an awkward handshake. The
crowd breathed sighs of relief and smil-
ed. There was TO be no tragedy. Smith
then asked the further pleasure OF the
house. and Somers offered a resolution
removing the temporary clerk, Moody,
and appointing r. r. Hays, the Ben
son caucus nominee. Smith put the
motion and it was declared carried
Hays assumed the place beside Clerk
Moody.
Thomas, of Multnomah then called
for the report of the committee on
credentials. Clerk Hays responded that
he could find no report
do l understand that Clerk Moody
declines to furnish the report?" de-
manded Thomas.
II have made no declination or affir-
nation" responded Moody What
ever l am directed to do by Speaker
Davis I'll do
"All these proceedings are out of or
der" said Speaker Davis. II direct the
chief clerk not to surrender the report" "
Thomas then announced that he had
report ready. He submitted a report
signed by himself and Stanley. of the
original committee on credentials, de
olaring thirty-one members entitled TO
seats. These included all present ex-
cept Speaker Davis. The report was
declared adopted. The committee re-
tired and soon reappeared accompanied
by Chief Justice Moore who swore in
the members. Conn then offered a reso-
luton to proceed with permanent or
ganization. which was carried.
Speaker Somsrs placed in nomination
II. L. Benson. of Josephine. Benson re-
ceived 2S votes, Benson, Gratke and
Misener voting blank. Speaker Davis
name was not called. Benson assum-
ing the gavel, made a short speech OF
thanks. Chief Justice Moore then swore
him in.
The following officers were then
elected:
:. Assistant chief clerk H. S. Jordan.
. Reading clerk, Frank Motter.
Calendar clerk. L. W. Bartlett.
Sergeant H. w Murphy.
Doorkeeper, S. W. White (colored.
These were Renson caucus nominees
} There was some discussion as to the
proper way to notify the senate OF