The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-05

Washington, Dec. A. Enormous
crowds witnessed the opening scenes
in the house to-day. The principal in
terest centered in the disposition of
Mr.. Roberts. the Mormon representa-
tive from Utah. Those who anticipated
a sensational announcement were dis
appointed. The programme outlined by
the Republican leaders at their confer
ence on Friday night was partially car
ried out. The objection to the adminis-
tration of oath to Mr.. Roberts was en-
tered by Mr.. Taylor of Ohio. as pre-
dicted and he stepped aside without
protest, except to ask if by doing so
he waived any of his rights To this
the speaker responded in the mega
tive.
There was not a protest from any
quarter against the objection TO the
administration of the oath TO Mr.. Rob-
erts, but on the contrary the only voice
raised except that of Mr.. Taylor's was
that of Mr.. McRae. a Democrat of
Arkansas. who Joined with Mr.. Taylor
in his protest
Mr. Taylor offered his resolution to
refer the case to a special committee,
and by mutual arrangement the con-
sideration of the resolution was post
poned until tomorrow in order that
the routine business in connection with
the organization might be transacted
today.
After the election of Speaker Hender-
son and his induction into Office, the
appointment of the usual committees
to wait upon the president. the seat
drawing contest, with the usual anus
ing features. went off without
hitch.
The only other features out of the
ordinary was the reception of the Reed
rules as the rules for the present con-
gress. The Democrats knew it was fu-
tile to more than protest against the
adoption of these rules after the Re-
publican decision upon this course in
caucus. and the debate upon the reso-
luton to adopt them was very brief.
They were adopted by strict party
vote.
Crowds of Spectators.
For hours before noon. the hour for
the house TO meet, people streamed
through the corridors to the galleries.
which looked down upon the arena
where the statesmen were congregat-
ing BY II o'clock a brilliant gathering
had assembled. The galleries were
black with people. and through the
swinging doors could be seen pushing
mission.
Entrance was only obtained by card.
for which there was an enormous de-
rcand The ladies' and members gall
leries were filed with brilliantly gown
ed women. the wives of members and
their friends. The executive galleries
were filled with high dignitaries of the
government. and the diplomatic gal
lery resplendent with the representa-
tives of foreign governments. Scat
tered through the galleries were peo-
pie prominent in the political, social
and financial world
Mr.. Richardson of Tennessee. who
was selected as the leader of the mi
nority on Saturday, came upon the
floor early. and was soon surrounded
by a group of Democrats Mr.. Rob-
erts came into the hall shortly after II
O'Clock, but was not generally recog-
nized. and he retired TO the cloak
room almost Immediately. At 1880 a.
m. shrill-voiced clerk directed those
not entitled TO the floor to retire. and
officers and pages rapidly cleared out
those already in
Conspicuous on the floor were the
old veterans, Payne OF New YORK, the
leader of the majority: General Gros-
venor of Ohio, Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa.
Mr.. Dalzell of Pennsylvania. Mr.. Bailey
of Texas, Mr. Mcclellan and Mr.. Sui
ger of New York.
House Called to Order.
As the minute hand of the clock op-
posite the speakers rostrum overlook
the hour hand at noon, the gavel of
the clerk of the last house, Major Nc
Dowell. descended with bang. The
indescribable buzz ceased The men,
bers at once arose and the spectators
in the galleries bowed their heads In
this stiffness the voice of the blind
chaplain. Rev. Henry Couden OF Michi-
gan. was elevated. and his prayer
made the occasion reverent-
After the Invocation, the reading
clerk began calling the roll, and a
minute later the buzz had recon-
menced, making noisy background for
the staccato voice of the clerk as he
called out the names
Mr.. Roberts sat listening intently for