The times., 1899-12-04

the gavel The father OF the House Rep
resentative Harmer Of Pennsylvania II he
IS able TO attend the session, will be called
on TO swear in the Speaker-elect
The New Speakers GaveI.
The time -honored custom Of presenting
the new Speaker with a gayel made from
wood OF historic value, will be OBJ
served. This year the gavel viii be made
OF wood from the Spanish cruiser Reina
Christina. which was sunk by Admiral
Dewey in Manila Bay. The wood was
brought from Manila by returning soldiers
Of the Iowa regiment. The gavel is hand
somcly carved. mounted in gold. and viii
be presented by some member from the
HaWEeye State. il was the intention to
have the presentation made by the Cover
nor Ct Iowa, but Il is not certain whether
that Official Will be here to perform the
service.
The demands for gallery seats f'- exceed
the seating capacity, and an carly rush
will be made for places. Women usually
predominate. and they arrive prepared 10
remain the entire day.
The huge figure OF former Speaker Reed
will be consplcuously absent from The
scene, and his nasal tones will be missed.
Another Of Names prominent statesmen,
who has led his party through the intriCa-
there Representative Dingley has ar
swered the last roll call.
After roll call the swearing in OF new
members viii take place This IS always
an interesting procedure These gentlemen
have to run the gauntlet of observation
and be inspected by the old timers.
The Drawing for Seats.
The drawing for seats is one OF the
principal events OF the inauguration of a
new session. and it is attended with ex-
citement and much anxiety on the part Of
the members.
The names OF all the Representatives are
piaced in a hat or some other receptacle,
and a bIindfolded page draws the names,
one at a time. and as a members name Is
called he selects his seat and more or less
politely requests the old occupant 10
vacate. Occasionally seats are exchanged
when il is advantageous for the members
concerned.
One member who will in no wise be
concerned in this drawing. is the venerable
member at large from Pennsylvania, the
Hon. Gslusha A. Grow. AS former
Speaker OF the House he is accorded the
privilege Of retaining his old seat, should
he so desire AS Mr.. Grow has occupied
the same seat. which is located in about
the middle OF the Republican side since
his last entrance into Congress. the Fifty
third. it is not likely that he will make
a change.
The organization Of the House viii prob
ably consume three or four hours.
The senHte Procedure.
In the Senate today after Senator Frye
calls that body to order and a prayer By
Chaplain Milburn. the new Senators whose
terms began on The 4th of March viii be
called in series OF fours TO be sworn in.
After the swearing in Of Senators the
customary resolutions viii be passed FIX
ing the hour Of meeting informing the
House Of the Senate's action, and appoint
ing q committee to wait on the President
with a similar committee of the House TO
inform the Executive that a quorum is
present and ready TO receive any COM
munication that be may communicate.
Senator Sewell viii then make the official
announcement OF the death Of the Vice
President. and after some formal remarks
the Senate VIII adjourn as a mark Of re-
spect 10 the memory Of the deceased Vice
President