The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-05

witnesses on oath in relation to the sub
ject matter of this resolution"
An agreement was then reached by
which the consideration of the resolu-
ton should be postponed until tomorrow
after the reading of the presidents mes
sage. The excitement thereupon quickly
su5sided and many Of the spectators left
the galleries.
The officers Of the house selected at
the Republican caucus last Saturday
were then elected Alex. Mcdowell,
Pennsylvania, clerk; Henry Casson, Wis
consin, ergeant-at-arms; W. ]. Glenn,
New York, doorkeeper, and J. E. Noel
roy, Ohio, postmaster, after which the
usual resolutions were adopted TO inform
the president and the senate Of the or
ganization of the house.
Mr.. Dalzen (Rep., Pa.,) one of the Re-
publican floor leaders, then precipitated
a short but lively debate by offering a
resolution for the adoption of the rules
Of the last congress. Mr.. Bailey Dem,
Tex.0 protested and Mr.. Richardson
Dem, Tenn.,) Endorsed what his COL
league had said. He good-naturedly
chtded Mr. Hepburn (Rep., Iowa,) who
frequently complained of the rules In the
last congress, for not leading his parti-
sans in a fight for their reformation. Mr..
Hepburn (Rep., Iowa., replying to Mr..
Richardson, admitted that he had favor
ed some notifications, but ne frankly
stated that his colleagues in the Repub-
lican caucus had been opposed to him and
that he had yielded 20 their united wis
dom. Mr.. DalzeH then moved the pre-
vious question, which was ordered. and
the vote was taken by ayes and hayes
the aEoDffnr Of na oF 10
congress. The resolution for the adop-
ton Of the rules was carried. 177-15S
A resolution for the biennial seat-draw-
ing was then adopted by unanimous con-
sent. Mr.. Grow of Pennsylvania, as an
ex-speaker Of the house, and Mr.. Har-
mer Of Pennsylvania, the oldest MEM
Der, were granted the privilege Of select
ing their seats before the drawing. Each
selected his old seat. The members then
retired behind the rails in the rear Of
the seats. leaving the floor vacant, and
blindfolded page, Griffin Halstead a son
of Murat Halstead, drew the little balls
containing the numbers from a box. Each
ball was numbered, and the number of
the member corresponding was given an
opportunity to select a seat as his name
WAS called. Mr.. Richardson of Tonnes
see got his old seat, although his name
was called late. His colleagues reserved
the seat for him. a big tree Of Ameri-
can beauty roses was placed on his desk
and the house, irrespective of party, ap-
plauded vigorously.
Mr.. Hepburn Of Iowa was the first
prominent Republican who was forced,
through the late calling of his name, to
go to the Cherokee Strip" on the Demo-
cratic side, for seat. He was received
with applause by the Democrats.
All during the call of names Mr.. Rob
erts of Utah had been standing in the
rear Of the railing eagerly listening for
his name, but when the balls were ex-
hausted his name had not been called.
AS he had not taken the oath, no ball
had been placed in the box for him, but
by an accident he secured a seat. The
names of two Republican members had
not been called when the balls were ex-
hausted. The speaker explained that the
balls were exhausted. and asked if any
members had not been provided with
seats Two Republicans and Mr.. Roberts
came forward.
IF there is no objection" said the
speaker, chose gentlemen whose names
have not been drawn will now select |
seats
There was no objection, and Mr.. Rob
erts managed to find a vacant seat IN !
he extreme rear of the extreme right |
If the hall. There he established himself. |
Mr. Gardiner (Rep., n. J.,) then an
bounced the death OF Vice President Ho- |
oart in fitting words. referring briefly to |
lis brilliant and useful career and the |
profound grief with which the nation had /
eceived the news that he had passed |
WAY. Later he said he would ask the |
louse to set aside a day TO pay apprO- !
,riate tribute to his memory. AS a fur
her mark of respect, upon his motion,
he house, at $50 p. m, adjourned until
The formal protest against the seating /
If Congressman Roberts was circulated |
n printed form and placed on the desks |
# members during the day. The main |
points are that Roberts is not a citizen, /
ince "at ell times after 1888 he was and /
low is a bigamist and polygamist, con-
rarv to the law; that he has been pros
cuted and punished for unlawful cohab-
tation with more than one woman" that |
,e was born of British parents within
he British realm, and has never re-
ro1nced his allegiance to Queen Victoria.
after .reciting the legal and moral Objec-
ions to Roberts. the petition asks that
le he not allowed to take the oath of
nice or to have a seat in the house,
hat special committee investigate the
ubiect. and that Roberts seat be de-
Jared vacant The document is signed
" Josiah Strong. New York; president
f the League of Social Service, and
many others.