New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-05
d. b. HENDERSON ELECTED
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.
ROBERTS. OF UTAH. NOT SWORN IN
REED RULES READOPTED-ADJOUR
MENT on ACCOUNT OF MR..
HOBARTS DEATH
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

ago in the midst of the country's struggle TO
adjust Itself to the political consequences Of the
Sranish war. the LvIth Congress met at noon,
to find the agitations Of that period strangely
Modified and its problems on the way TO a COM
plete and satisfactory solution With the polit-
cal responsibility of the party in power in both
the legislative and executive branches still un-
shaken. and with the lines on which the next
fight for the Presidency is to be made already
hardened beyond Congressional interference, the
two houses could hardly fail to come together
in any other spirit than that Of easy going ac-
quiescence in the rather listess and colorless
role forced upon them by the exigencies or ac-
cidents of National politics
A WIDE SCOPE FOR ACTIVITY.
No Congress for many years has seen the
scope OF its activities so suddenly wdened as
has the LVIth. The permanent acquisition OF
Hawaii, Porto Rico, Guam and the Philippines
and the temporary occupation Of Cuba have
created field OF colonial legislation almost
broad and varied as that already claimed by,
domestic problems In shaping colonial as well as
domestic policies the Congress will find an
outlet for energy and an opportunity for dis
tnction granted to few of it's predecessors. But
the very extent and perplexty of the questions
involved in colonial administration are likely to
|
sessions to minimum: while the impossblity
Of making party capital out Of measures de-
signed to lay the foundations for future govern
ment of the Nations dependencies, will plainly
discourage that exploitation Of politics. pure
| and simple o which a Congress usually counts
to create material with which to enter an ap-
preaching Presidential canvass.
| From all appearances the record Of the body
which has just assembled will be marked by a
rather novel absence OF political mannuvring'
by lack Of partisan intensity and by an in
difference to usual stimuli to legislative zeal It
will accept the political conditions which 1t finds
ready made for It's guidance and limitations.
and will probably be remembered more for the
mistakes it has avoided than for the amount
and Importance of the legislation which it sue
ceeded in getting through.
THE SENATE MEETS IN GLOOM.
The shadow of ce-President Hobarts recens
ceath hung perceptbly over the Senate ana tne
proceedings there were even more quiet ana
decorous than is customary In the more somno-
lent and deliberative branch of the legislative
department. The funereal air Of the chamber
was heightened by the mass Of floral tributes
with which misguided admirers had been al
lowed to load down the desks of thirty or for'y
Senator'S There were no actual marks OF
mourning. however, eltner dDout tHc ''NN-A '~S'
dents room or on his dais in the Senate. The
only notable incident Of the session in the upper
branch was the swearing in of the new Sem
ators The more conspicuous Of those who en-
tered the body as newcomers to-day were
Messrs Depew, Of New-York; Kean. of New
Jersey; McComas. OF Maryland. and Scott OF
West Virginia. on the Republican side, ana
Clark, OF Montana. the Democratic
SOME OF THE NEW MEN
Mr. Depew. OF course, was a familiar figure
both 10 the politicians on the floor and the
SPECTATORS in the galleries. for his long expert
ence in National politics has brought him Into
| personal contact with the representative men
of every section Of the Union. This experience
too. is certain to hasten his promotion to place
of influence and importance in the Senate rarely
accorded 10 legislator without previous Con-
| sressional experience. Senators kean and NC
| Comas had both seen service some years ago In
! the House OF Representatives. and both had
kept up their political acqua!ntances and friend
sbins With Mr. Kean and General Sewell New
Jersey enjoys the best representation 1t has had
! in the Senate for many Congresses.
| Mr. McComass career in the upper branch
promises TO be an extremely useful and promis-
| ing one A trained and qualified legislator and
progressive party leader he Is certain 70 prove
a material addition to the strength or the he-
| pubcan side of the chamber. n b. Scott IL
also a well known figure In National poItics'
and his election will strengthen the aireauy
striking influence which. through senator D. -.
Flkins is already enjoyed in Congressiohai
| councils by the little border State of West VIZ
ginia os.,,
Mr. Clark OF Montana, made an unsuccessful
oortest for a seat in the Senate in the List
| hoo a
! Democratic leader in the Far West protest
i o-oirst the legality OF HIS title was presented
and referred the Committee on Privileges ana
| r,,,,iors nc we're also a remonstrance against
| Tho seating of Senator Scott and the temporary
,odentials offered by Mr. Penrose on behait OK
| ex-senator Quay.
The session lasted only thirty-three minutes,
| After tho adoption of the usual routine resolu-
tions and the administration TO the new MEM
hers Of the oath of office. Senator Sewell, OF
New-Jersey presented fitting resolutions on the
death OF the Vice President The resolutions
we're ordered TO be communicated to the House
OF Representatives, and the session motion
OF Mr. Kean, OF New-Jersey, was suspended.
PROCEDURE IN THE HOUSE.
In the House of Representatives. interest GEN.
tired chiefly in the election OF the Speaker and
the procedure which 10 be attempted to
prevent Mr. Roberts. OF Utah. from taking the
oath. The balotng for the Speakership was
spiritess and long drawn out however, and the
Roberts incident passed off without annoyance
or friction OF any sort Mr.. Tayler the chair
man OF one OF the elections committees in the
last House challenged Mr. Robertss right to
receive the oath. and then offered resolution
reciting the alleged grounds OF his ineligibility
and authorizing the appointment OF commit
tee OF nine report the validity OF his title.
No objection made to this course, and the
resolution went until tomorrow afternoon,
when II will be voted under the previous
question The arrangement suggested by Mr..
Tayler was entirely acceptable to both sides Of
the chamber. and by intrus,ing the Inquiry into
! Rnhertss Qualifications 10 q committee OF tho