The Penn's Grove record., 1899-12-08
A NEW CONGRESS- MEETS.
Thousands Crowded TO the Capitol to
Witness The Opening Sessions.
ROBERTS FORCED TosTAND ASIDE

Mr.. Henderson Elected Speaker Of tho
House-Mr. Roberts Not Allowed to
Take the Oath-OpeninE Session Of
the Senate-The Reed Rules Adopted
by The House-New Democratic Leader
WASHINGTON, d. q. (Speciai). = Eager
throngs crowded to the Capitol to
witness the opening of the Fifty-sixth Con-
gress. Aside from the usual interest which
attaches to the assembling OF the nations
lawmakers, there seemed to be a general
desire to see the new Speaker sworn In.
while many were drawn to the scene by
the promise OF a unique spectacle in the
Roberts case.
Senator Frye, OF Maine, President pro
tenn Of the Senate, let the gavel fall at the
stroke OF noon, aud the session was
opened with prayer by the chaplain,
the Rev. Mr.. MilburD, who delivered Q
brief enlogy on Mr.. Hobart.
When the ceremony OF taking the oath
was completed the roll of Senators was
called and seyenty-eight responded, show
ing an absence OF only eight. The daily
hour OF meeting was fixed ut u noon.
Senator Carter, of Montana. presented a
memorial and protest against the validity
OF the election OF his colleague, Mr.. Clark,
who a few moments before he had escorted
to the chair to be sworn In; also a petition
signed by the Governor, Speaker OF the
House and other officials OF Montana, ask
Ing the Senate to fix a time and place fol
the hearing. The papers we're referred to
the Committee on Privileges and Elections
The session lasted only thirty-three min
utes. After the adoption Of the usual
routine resolutions and the administration
to the new members OF the oath OF office.
Senator Sewell, OF New Jersey, presented
fitting resolutions on the death Of the Vice
President. The resolutions were ordered
to be communicated to the House OF Rep.
resentatives, and the session, on motion Of
Mr.. Kean. OF New Jersey, was suspended.
As the clock opposite the Speakers ros-
trum pointed to the noon hour the gavel
OF the clerk OF the last House, Major Nc
Dowell, descended with a bang.
After the invocation the Reading Clerk
called the roll. When 1t was concluded
Clerk McD DWELL announced that 352 mem
bers had answered to their names-a quo.
rum.
.eThe next thing in order" announced
the clerk, sis the election Of Speaker"
Mr.. Grosvenor, of Ohio. nominated David
B.. Henderson, of Iowa; Mr.. Hay, OF Viz
ginia, named James D. Richardson, OF leu
nessee; Mr.. Ridgley, OF Kansas, nominated
John 9. Boil, OF Colorado, as the Populist
candidate, and Mr.. Wilson, ofIdaho, placed
Francis G. Newlands, OF Nevada, in nomi
Tor the silver party.
The result oil the vote for Speaker Of the
House was as follows: Henderson, III
Richardson, 1853; Bell, 4, and Newlands, q
General Henderson was escorted to the
desk By Mr.. Richardson and In a briei
speech said:
at Is my duty, as 1t will be my aim anc
pleasure, to impartially administer the laws
adopted for our Government, but nc
Speaker can be successful unless he has the
cooperation OF the members, Of thi;
House,"
In the midst OF the proceedings Mr.. Rob
erts was the observed OF all observers
Very early in the day a monster petition
said to consist of Z ,000. 900 names, protest
Ing against the seating OF Mr.. Roberts, was
brought into the hall. 1t had been col
lected by a New York newspaper. 1t con.
sisted of twenty-elHht rolls OF names, each
about two feet Ia diameter, tncesed In the
American flag. Later Major Mcdowell
Clerk OF the House, ordered all except two
of the rolls taken Into the lobby.
Those who anticipated n sensational de
nouement In the Roberts case were disap-
pointed. The programme outlined by the
Republican leaders was partly carried out
The objection to tile administration OF the
oath TO Mr.. Roberts was entered by MIR.
Taylor, of Ohio, and he stepped aside with
out protest, except to ask II by doing 90 hs
waived any OF his rights. 10 this the
Speaker responded In the negative.
TIT Reed rules were readopted for this
Congress, after n short and futile effort
from the Democratic side to secure mature
consideration The vote was III to 1853.
The drawing OF seats by members fol
lowed, and as Il mark OF respect to the late
yice-Presiden the House then adjourned.
The officers OF the House elected vert
Alexander Mcdowell. of Pennsylvania,
Clerk; Henry Casson. of Wisconsin, Ser
geant. alarms; W. J. Glenn, of New York,
D~oorkeeper, and ]. q. McElroy, OF Ohio
Dosf aafar FaN alHHlFEA