The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1899-12-07
THE FIFTY-sIxrH CONGRESS

always attaches to the annual assemblage
OF the national lawmakers. This was
added to this year by the many ar-reach-
ing questions waiting consideration and
unusual Importance was given to the re-
turn OF congress. Aside from this the
Roberts case introduced a phase which
promised something outside of the ordin-
airy developments Of an opening day.
Early in the day throngs began conVerg-
ing at the capitol. The day was bright
AMI propitious and the thoroughfares
leading to the building presented a gay
and animated appearance. Within the
building, ell was hustle and excitement.
Long before the hour Of calling the house
to order the outer doors were open TO all
and through these flowed continuous
streams of humanity, until the great cor
Idors, galleries and rotundas were fairly
packed. AS early as 1880 o'clock the
conspicuous figures Of congress began to
arrive and this served to give the wait
ire throng a temporary diversion. Gen
eral Henderson went direct to the speak
ers private Office, where he shared his
time with the house leaders and with
those pleading for admission cards.
Representative Richardson Of Tennessee,
the democratic house leader, was also
early on the scene comforting with his
lieutenants. Shortly before II O'Clock
arrived, Roberts of Utah in silk hat and
black froclz suit made his way through
the crowd to tue members private lobby.
Here he chanced to meet MIR. Richard
son and the two held short conference
as to whether Mr.. Roberts would seek to
address the house. A.buZz OF comment
followed the gentleman from Utah
wherever he went, but there was no dis
respectful demonstrations.
Very early in the day a monster petit
tion, said to consist of seven million
names, protesting against the seating OF
Mr.. Roberts, was brought into the hall
as it had been collected by a New York
newspaper committee. 1t consisted Of Is
rolls O: names, each about two feet in
diameter, encased IL the American flag.
At 1l:30 shrill voiced clerk directed
those not entitled to the 1iuor to retire
and the officers and pages rapidly cleared
out those already in. Senator Baylins
of Utah held an earnest conference with
Roberts Mr.. Lentz OF Ohio took part
in the conference.
As the gayel Of tho clerk of the last
house, Major Mcdowell, decendel with
a bang, the indiscrible bug ceased. In
the Stiffness the voice OF the blind chap
lain was eleAatod and his prayer made
the occasion reverent After the invo-
cation, tae reading ciorll began roll call
Mr.. Roberts sat listening intently for
his name, and when it was called he re-
spondcd Here, in loud voice. He
locked neryol S and IL at ease. When
lol call was concluded, Mr. Mcdowell
announced that 352 members had an
swercd to their names. THE next thing
in order announced The clerk, "is the
election OF speaker"
G7osycnor presented The name OF Hen
derson. Hay, Virginia, nominated Rich
ardscn; Ridgiey, Kausas, nominated John
q. Bell. Of Colorado as the populi8t can
didate ard Mr.. Wilson, Idaho, placed
Francis Newlands, Nevada, in nomination
as the candidate Of the silver party.
The roll call resulted Henderson, III;
Richardson, 153; Bell, 4; Newlands, 2,
BEessrs Richardson. Bell and New
lands were designated as a committee to
escort the speaker to the chair.
When the name Of Brigham H. Rob,
erts was reported during the house roll
call the member elect proceeded alone to
the area in front of the speakers stand
and waited the administration OF the
oath. At the same time, Representative
Taylor Of Ohio secured recognition and
amidst breathless interest protested
against the swearing in OF Roberts, on
the ground OF his being polygamist,
and not properly naturalized citizen CT
America, Mr. Taylor spoke calmly ana
dispass;onately. MI. Roberts stood gaz-
ing intontly at him and not once moved
a muscle throughout the protest. Rep
resentative McRae, of Arkansas followed
with protest from the democratic side,
saying. This issue was involving the
gacrcdress Of The American home, a.son-
timeut that hlousat Al ou5bprst Of
annlal,sa Etuaa}pr Henderson them nd.