Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-05

during the roll call. When it was CON
Silded Clerk Mcdowell announced that
: = H9embers had answered to their
Sc e0hus making quorum. .'The
neNsSsh.sca, in order" announced the
clerk, Nocs.ction of a speaker y
Hepburn 0. Differed a resolution
which was adoe viva voce providing
that the house proceed to the election
of speaker for the Fifty-sixth con-
gress. Thereupon Grosvenor of Ohio,
as chairman of the republican caucus,
presented the name of David B. Hender-
son of Iowa. The mention of the name
of General Henderson was greeted
with round of applause from the re-
side. Hay of Virginia, chair
man of the democratic caucus, nomin-
ated James d. Richardson of Tennessee
and his name drew the plaudits of the
democratic side. Ridgley of Kansas
nominated John C. Bell of Colorado,
as the populist candidate, and Wilson
of Idaho placed Francis G. Newlands of
Nevada in nomination as the candidate
of the silver party. Each party having
put forward its candidate, by direction
of the clerk roll was called and each
member voted for the candidate of his
political utilization.
Henderson Elected.
The roll call resulted: Henderson,
III; Richardson, 153; Bell, a; New
lands, 2. The clerk thereupon an
nounced the election of Henderson
amid great republican applause. Rich
ardson, in neat speech, introduced
Henderson who made brief speech.
After the speech the oath of office was
administered 10 the speaker. The
speaker then announced that the oath
would be administered TO the members
by states.
Roberts Challenged
When Brigham II. Roberts was
reached in the house roll call, the Utah
member-elect proceeded alone to the
area in front of the speakers desk and
awaited the administration of the oath.
At the same time Representative Tay-
lor, of Ohio, secured recognition and
protested against the swearing in of
Roberts on the ground of his being
polygamist and not properly natural.
lied American citizen. Representative
McRae, of Arkansas, followed with a
protest from the democrat side say
ing that this issue was not involving
the sacredness of the American home.
sentiment that brought out burst
of applause. Speaker Henderson then
addressed Roberts saying: ''Will the
gentleman stand aside until the roll
call is completed Roberts assented
with the statement that in so doing he
waived none of his rights. Ii was
agreed by unanimous consent that the
consideration of the resolution should
go over until tomorrow after the read
ing of the presidents message.
The swearing in of the remaining
members was then concluded. The Off
GERS of the house, Clerk Mcdowell of
pennsylvania, Ssrgeant-at-arms Caseb
of Wisconsin, Doorleeper eileen of New
York, and Postmaster NcElroy, were
then elected. After the remaining
members had been sworn iu, Mr.. Taylor
presented his resolution as follows:
Text of Taylor's Resolution.
"Whereas, 1t is charged that Brig
ham H. Roberts, representative-elec
to the fifty-sixthf congress, from the
state of Utah, is ineligible to seat in
the house of representatives and,
Whereas, Such charge is made
through member of the house on his
responsibility as such a member and
on the basis, as he asserts, of public
records, at1idavits and papers evidenc-
ing such ineligibility, be it
Resolved, That the question of the
prima facia right of Brigham III. Rob-
erts to be sworn in as representative,
be referred to special committee OF
nine members of the house, to be ap-
pointed by the speaker, and until such
committee shall report upon and the
house decide such question and right,
said Brigham IL. Roberts shall not be
sworn in or be permitted to occupy a
seat in this house, and such committee
shall have power to send for persons
and papers and examine witnesses on
oath in relation to the subject matter
of this resolution"
The Senate Convcnes.
Washington, Dec. 4.-(By Associated
Press. )-In the shadow of the recent
death the senate convened at noon to-
day in its first session of the Fifty-siXth
congress. The death of Vice President
Hobart cast pail over tne prelimin-
ary proceedings. As usual on the OPEN
ing days of the session the congress
chamber was veritable conservatory.
Senator'S desks We're lavishly decorated
with flowers.
At 1895 o'clock p. m. the senate ad-
journed.
Sun~an,a rou.t nacs.,o,,