Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-12-08
OPENING OF CONGRESS-.
The Case Of Roberts, the Mormon
Under Consideration.

A Petition OF 1000, 900 Names Against
Il. Henderson Of Iowa Elected speak
err over James ID. Richardson OF Ten
nsssee, the Democratic Leader.
The opening of Congress Monday was
witnessed by a larger thropg of people
than usual. In the Senate appropriate
tribute was paid TO the late vice president
The credentials of NJ. S. Quay as senator
from Pennsylvania by appointment of the
governor were presented by Senator PEN
| rose, and on motion of Senator Cockrell of
Missouri, were referred to the commit
tee on privileges and elections. Protests
against the seating of Mr.. Quay we're pre-
sented by Senators Burrows of Michigan
and Jones of Arkansas.
In the House Gen. David B. Henderson
was elected speaker. Mr.. Grosvenor Of
Ohio,a as chairman of the Republican caucus,
presented the name of Gen. Henderson of
Iowa. Mr.. Hay of Virginia, chairman of
the Democratic caucus, presented the name
of James d. Richardson of Tennessee. Mr..
Ridgeley of Kansas nominated John G.
Bell of Colorado as the Populist candidates
and Mr.. Wilson of Idaho placed Franci,
q. Newlands of Nevada in nomination as
the candidate of the Silver party. The
roll call resulted: Henderson III, Rich
ardson 1853, Bell and Newlands 2. The
clerk thereupon announced the election of
Mr.. Henderson, amid great Republican
applause. He designated Messrs Richard
son, Boil and Newlands as committee to
escort the speaker to the chair.
The committee retired to the lobby, and
after a short wait the doors of the main por-
tai of the house swung open and Gen. Hen
derson entered upon the arm of Mr. Rich
ardson, followed by the two other members
of the committee. In this order the pro-
cession moved down the main aisle, the
members on either side rising and cheering.
Mr.. Richardson introduced the speaker,
who spoke briefly before taking up the
business.
When the members were sworn in, Mr.,
Roberts of Utah approached the bar OBJ
lection to the administration of the oath
was made by Mr.. Taylor of Ohio, which
was joined in by Mr.. McRae, Democrat, of
Arkansas. The speaker thereupon re-
quested Mr.. Roberts to step aside, which he
did, on the understanding that such action
did not prejudice his rights. A petition
said to contain 1000, 900 signatures against
the seating of Mr.. Roberts was placed in
front of the speakers desk. The petition
names of states on the outside, and thew
were piled up around the desk until they
looked like barricade of barrels erected
to protect the person of the speaker from
assault. Mr.. Taylor presented resolution
appointing a special committee of nine to
consider the Roberts case before he shall be
permitted to take the oath, and by agree
ment the resolution went over until after
the reading of the Presidents message
Tuesday.
The House of Representatives by a vote
of 3O2 to 80, adopted Tuesday the Taylor
resolution to refer the Roberts case to a
special committee to investigate the eligi-
bility of the member-elect. Meantime he
is to be excluded from a seat in the House.
The Republican, Democratic and indie
pendent senators held caucuses Tuesday
upon the subject of the reorganization of
the Senate committees, and each referred
the matter to special committees
The financial bill drawn by the finance
committee of the Senate was introduced
Wednesday by Senator Aldrich. Nearly |
800 other bills were also introduced Sem |
ator Mason offered resolution of sympathy |
with the Beers, and gave notice that he |
would call it up for discussion at some |
future time. A resolution TO investigate |
all the phases of polygamy and one protest