The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-12-05


fares leading to the building presented
q gay and animated appearance.
Within the building all was hustle and
excitement long before the hour for
calling the houses to order. The outer
doors were open to all and through
these flowed continuous streams of hu-
mainly until the great corridors, gal.
leries and rotundas were fairly packed.
AS early as 1850 the conspicuous
figures Of congress began to arrive, and
this served to give the waiting throngs
q temporary diversion. General Hen
derson went direct to the speakers
private Office, where he shared his time
with the house leaders and with those
pleading for admission cards.
Representative Richardson Of Tennes-
see, the Democratic house leader, was
also early on the scene, comforting with
his lieutenants. Shortly before II
o'clock Mr.. Roberts of Utah, in silk
hat and black frock suit, made his way
through the crowd to the members,
private lobby. Here he CHANGED to meet
Mr.. Richardson and the two held a
short conference as to whether Mr..
Roberts should seek to address the
house. A buzz Of comment followed
the gentleman from Utah wherever he
went, but there was no disrespectful
demonstration.
AS the minute hand Of the clock OBJ
posite the speakers rostrum overlook
the hour hand at noon. the gavel of the
clerk of the last house, Major Mellow.
ell. descended with a bang. The indie
scribable buzz ceased. The members
arose and the spectators in the galleries
bowed their heads. =
After the invocation the reading clerk
began calling the roll and a minute
later the buzz had recommended, max.
ing a noisy background for the s~taccato
notes of the clerk as he called out the
names. Mr.. Roberts sat listening in.
tently for his name, and when it was
called he responded Here in a loud
voice. But he looked nervous and i'll ut
ease. There were no demonstrations
during the roll call. When it was con.
cluded, Clerk Mcdowell announced
that 352 members had answered to their
names, a quorum.
Henderson Duly Elected Speaker.
The election of speaker was an.
nounced as the first business to ne
transacted. Henderson Of Iowa was
nominated by the Republicans. and
Richardson of Tennessee by the Demo.
Gratis. The vote resulted: Henderson,
1T; Richardson, 1853; Bell 4, and New
lands, 9.
General Henderson was escorted K
the chair by q committee and made q
brief speech Of thanks and acceptance
In accordance with the time honored
custom, the oldest member Of the house
in point Of service, Mr.. Harmer Of Penn
sylvania, administered the oath to thu
speaker. The speaker then announced
that the oath would DO administered K
the members by states. As the names
Of the members were called they ap
peared at the bar in groups of about
dozen, and with raised hands, wer,
sworn in by the speaker.
Objected to Mr.. Roberts.
When the name of Brigham H. Rob
erts was reached in the house roll call
the Utah member.elect proceeded alon,
to the area in front Of the speaker
desk and awaited the administration O
the oath. At the same time Represen
tative Taylor Of Ohio secured recogni
ton, and amidst breathless interest
protested against the swearing in o
Roberts, on the ground Of his being
p~olygamist, and not q properly natural
lied American citizen. Mr.. Taylo
spoke calmly and dispassionately. MI
Roberts stood gazing intently ct him