The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-05
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.


at noon the gavel OF the clerk of the last
House, Major Mcdowell, descended with
bang. The members arose and the specta-
tors i'm the galleries bowed their heads. In
this stiffness the voice of the blind chap
lain. Rev. Henry Couden Of Michigan, vas
elevated and his prayer made the occasion
reverent. After the invocation, the reading
clerk began calling the roll and minute
later the buzz of conversation commenced,
making a noisy background for the STAG
cato notes of the clerk he called out the
names.
Mr.. Roberts of Utah, sat listening in
tently for his name, and when II was called
he responded 'here" In a loud voice. But
he looked nervous and i'll at ease. There
were no demonstrations during the roll-
call When II was concluded Clerk Nc
Dowell announced that 352 members had
answered to their names. a quorum.
THE next thing in order" announced the
clerk, "is the election of speaker"
s,ir. hepburn. of Iowa. offered a resolu-
ton. which was adopted. providing that
the House proceed to the election of a
speaker of the Fifty-sixth Congress.
Mr. Grosvenor, of Ohio. as chairman Of
the Republican caucus. presented the name
Of David B. Henderson. Of Iowa. The men,
ton of the name OF General Henderson was
greeted with a round of applause from the
Republican side.
Mr. Hay. of Virginia, chairman OF the
Democratic caucus. nominated James d.
Richardson, of Tennessee and his name
drew the plaudits of the Democratic side.
Mr.. Ridgely, of Kansas. nominated John
c. Bell. of Colorado, as the Populist candi-
date, and A-r. Wilson, of Idaho. placed
Francis G. Newlands. Of Nevada, In nomi-
nation as the candidate for the silver
party.
Each party having put forward its candi-
date, bv the direction Of the clerk. the roll
was called and each member voted for the
candidate of his political affiliation. Mr..
Morris, of Minnesota, Mr.. Overstreet, Of
Indiana, and Mr.. Carmack, of Tennessee,
we're appointed tellers.
Mt Newlands. himself candidate, voted
for Mr.. Richardson. The roll call resulted:
Henderson. III; Richardson. LOB; Bell, a;
Newlands, 2. The clerk thereupon an
nounced the election of Mr.. Henderson,
AMID great Republican applause. He desig-
mated Mr.. Richardson. Mr.. Bell and Mr..
Newlands as a committee to escort the
speaker to the chair. The committee re-
tired to the lobby and. after short wait,
the doors of the main portal Of the House
tered upon the arm of Mr.. Richardson. fol-
lowed by the two other members Of the
committee.
MR. HENpERsoNs sREEGH.
When the new speaker ascended The ros-
trum Mr. Richardson in a neat speech in
trodaced him, and In response to the hearty
cheers, he addressed the House as follows:
Gentlemen of the House of Representa-
TIL # Il hnC lafl
me to grave responsibilities. For that call
I am most p. ofoundiy grateful, and l am
keenly sensible of the weight OF the respon-
sibilities that attach to this great office.
am encouraged, however, by the thought
that no member of this body can escape
responsibility, either to his people or to his
country. All Of us are under bonds TO do
our best. The approval of ones own con-
science. the attainment Of great results. are
not secured by petty contests on narrow
fields, but must be sought and won on
broad. patriotic lines of thought and action.
1t Is my duty Ii will be my aim and
pleasure to impartially administer the laws
adopted for our government. but no speak
er can be successful unless he has the CO.
operation Of the members of this House.
The generous partiality and kindness that
have been shown TO me by the entire menu
bership here encourage me to believe that
such imperfections as 1 may have will be
modified by the consideration and support
ing disposition of those constituting this
great body. / am ready to take the oath on
Office"
In accordance with the time-honored
custom, the oldest member of the House in
point Of service. Mr.. Harmer. of Pennsyl-
vania, administered the oath to the speak
er. The speaker then announced that the
oath would be administered to members by
States. AS the names of the members were
called they appeared at the bar in groups
OF about dozen, and there. with raised
hands. were sworn I'm by the speaker.
The moment arrived for which all pres
ent were anxiously waiting. when the State
of Utah and Mr.. Roberts's name were
called. Instantly hush fell on the assem-
bly,. Mr.. Tayler. of Ohio. was on his feet
asking for recognition. The speaker recog-
nized him Immediately.
Il object to the swearing in OF the rep
resentative-elect from Utah and to his TAX
Ing his seat" began Mr.. Tay.er in a clear
distinct voice. Il do so, Mr.. Speaker" he
continued. ION my own responsibility as q
member of this House, and because specific
serious and apparently well-grounded
charges Of ineligibility are made against
him. a transcript of the proceedings OF
the court in Utah evidences the fact that
the claimant was in lsSy convicted. or that
! ne pleaued Sullty, OF the crime or unlaw-
| full cohaDitation. Affidavits and other pa
pers In my possession indicate that ever
since then he has been persistently guilty OF
the same crime, and that ever since then he
has been and is now a polygamist II this
| transcript and these affidavits and papers
tell the truth. the member-elect from Utah
Is, in my judgment, ineligible TO be a men,
Der of this House OF Representatives, both
because of the statutory disqualification OF
the Edmunds law and for higher and
graver and quite as sound reasons | ought
also TO say. in addition to what 1 have lust
mentioned, that have In my possession a
certified copy OF the entry under which the
claimant to this session was naturaiized
and that eminent counsel assert that If this
be the record in the case this claimant is
not a citizen of the United States L offer
and express no opinion on that proposition
SIGNkD 81 SEVEN MILLIONS.
Mr.. Speaker. If it were possible to en-
phasize the gravity OF these charges and
| the responsibility that is at this moment
! imposed on this House, we Will find that
| emphasis in the memorials. only part of
which could be physically cared for in this
hail. but all of which l now present 70
| the House. from over seven million men
and women. protesting against the en-
trance OF this representative-eIect from
Utah.
AT the conclusion OF Mr.. TayIer's re.