New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-05
FIRST SESSION OF THE HOUSE
ELECTION OF SPEAKER AND OTHER We
FICERs-THE ROBERTS CASE r
AND THE RULES

FICERS-THE ROBEHlS oAoE
AND THE RULES.
Washington Dec 4-Sedom II ever have such
enormous crowds swarrned about the House 10 wiz
ness the opening scenes OF the session as Deseseu
the doors to-day. The assembling Of new Con-
eras ALWAYS attracts a big attendance. To-day the
proceedings In the case of Representative-eiect
Roberts which promised to be exciting ana POSI-
bJv sensational furnished an additional attraction.
For hours before noon. the hour for the House 70
meet people streamed through the corridors to the
galleries which looked down on the arena where
the members were congregating. BY IL O'Clock a
brilliant gathering had assembled. The galleries
were black with people. and through the swinging
doors could be seen pushing hundreds. who were
unable 10 gain admission Entrance was only OBJ
tanned by card, for which there was an enormous
demand The women's and members galleries were
filed with brilliantly gowned women, the wives OF
members and their friends. IN the public galleries
were the wondering constituents OF new members,
who had vague idea that the said new members
would arise Immediately after they were sworn IN
and electrify the House with their eloquence me
executive gallery was filed with high dignitaries
Of the Government. and the diplomatic gallery was
Respondent with representatives of foreign govern
ments Scattered through the galleries were peo-
pie prominent In the political. social and financial
world.
Early in the day a monster petition, said to con-
sist Of 100000 names protesting against the seat
consisted of twenty rolls OF names, each about
two feet in diameter incased In the American flag.
These rolls were stacked up in the area In front
of the clerks desk and were viewed with great
curiosity Later Major Mcdowell. Clerk Of the
House. ordered all except two of the rolls taken
into the lobby.
The floor was open to the public until las and
filled with a surging, pushing crowd swaying
through the alsles thick that members could
hardly reach their seats and the air hummed stead
lily with the buzz OF voices. The old members took
their former seats. while the new members strayed
about aimessly. finally ensconcing themselves In
any seat they found vacant.
Mr.. Richardson. of Tennessee. who selected
the leader of the minority Saturday came
upon the floor early and took his old place in the
right centre and was surrounded by a group
of Democrats.
Mr.. Roberts came into the hall shortly after II
o'clock but he not generally recognized, and
he retired 10 the cloak room almost Immediately.
CLEARING THE FLOOR
At II 30 a shrin voiced clerk directed those not
entitled to the floor to retire. and thereafter the
obdurate doorkeepers refused admission to all ex-
cept members Officers and pages rapidly cleared
out those already in. Conspicuous the floor were
the veterans, Payne, OF New-York, the leader OF
the majority; General Grosvenor of Ohio Mr..
Hepburn Of Iowa: Mr.. Dalzel Of Pennsylvania;
Mr. Bailey, Of Texas; Mr. Mcclellan and Mr.. Sui
ger. of NewYork. Among the prominent
members were Colonel Chanler OF New-York. who
disting uished himself in the Santiago campaign.
and Mr.. Levy, of New-York, who enjoys the dis
tinction Of owning Monticello the home OF JefTer-
son. Senator Rawns. Of Utah. came over from
the Senate wing and held earnest conference
with Mr.. Roberts. Mr. Lentz, OF Ohio, took part
in the conference After Il was over the report
circulated that Mr. Roberts would not present
himself to be sworn in. But this was Immediately
clded what he would do. but that he might desire
TO be heard when his case came up. He took a
seat TO the right Of the main aisle. and be-
came the exposure of all eyes His daughter sat
In the members gallery Mr.. Taylor Of Ohio. who
represents President McKinley's district, and who
will conduct the against Mr. Roberts, was
comforting with his colleagues the Republican
side.
CALLED TO ORDER
As the minute hand Of the clock opposite the
Speakers rostrum overlook the hour hand at noon
the gavel Of the clerk of the last House Major
Mcdowell descended with bank. The buzz ceased
and there was strange stiffness in the hall The
members arose, and the spectators in the galleries
bowed their heads. In this stiffness the voice Of
the blind chaplain. the Rev. Henry y. Couden, Of
Michigan, heard In prayer.
After the invocation the reading clerk began call
ing the roll, and a minute later the buzz began
n
notes OF the clerk he called out the names.
Mr.. Roberts sat listening intently for his name
and when it was called he responded "Here" in n
loud voice. There were demonstrations during
the rolcall. When it was concluded Clerk Nc
Dowell announced that $50 members had answered
to their names, making a quorum. THE next thing
in order" announced the clerk rs the election of
Speaker"
ELECTION OF SPEAKER.
Mr. Hepburn OF Iowa offered a resolution which
adopted viva voce. providing that the House
proceed to the election of Speaker for the LVIth
Congress. Thereupon 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 presented the name OF James d. Richard
son. OF Tennessee. and his name drew the paudits
Of the Democratic side Mr.. Ridgely of Kansas
nominated John c. Bell OF Colorado as the Popu-
list candidate, and Mr.. Wilson, Of Idaho, placed
Francis G. Newands, OF Nevada, in nomination as
the candidate OF the Silver party.
Each party having put forward its candidate by
the direction of the clerk the roll was called and
each member voted for the candidate of his politi
cal affation. Mt Morris, OF Minnesota: Mr. Over
street, OF Indiana and Mr.. Carmack OF Tennessee
appointed tellers Mr. Newlands himself a
candidate, voted for Mr. Richardson. The rollcaIl
resulted as iollows; Henderson, III; Richa rdson
l53; Bell. 4. and Newlands g.
The clerk thereupon announced the election OF
Mr.. Henderson, amid great Republican applause
lie designated Mr.. Richardson, Mr. Bell and Mr.
Newlands as committee 10 escort the Speaker
10 the chair. The committee retired to the lobby
ana after short walt the doors of the main Dor
tai OF the House swung open and General Hen
derson entered on the Of Mr. Richardson fol-
lowed by the two other members OF the committee
In this order the procession moved down the main
aisle, the members either side rising and cheer
ing.
Mr.. HENDERsoN's ADDRESS.