The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-12-20
4 NEW CONGRESS MEETS.
Thousands Crowded to the Capitol to
Witness the Opening Sessions.
ROBERTS FORCED TOSTAND ASIDE

Mr. Henderson Elected Speaker OF the
House-Mr. Roberts Not Allowed to
Take the Oath-Opening Session OF
the Senate-The Reed Rules Adopted
by the House-New Democratic Leader
WASHINGTON, D.. @. (specIaD. - Eager
throngs crowded to the Capitol to
witness the opening OF the Flfty-slxth Con-
gress. Aside from the usual interest which
attaches to the assembling OF the nations
lawmakers, there seemed to be general
desire to see the new Speaker sworn in,
while many were drawn to the scene by
the promise Of u unique spectacle In the
Roberts case.
Senator Frye, Of Maine, President pro
tenn OF the Senate, let the gavel fall at the
opened with prayer by the chaplain.
the Rev. Mr.. Milburn, who delivered q
=, brief eulogy on Mr.. Hobart.
When the ceremony OF taking the oath
was completed the roll OF Senators was
called and seventy-eight responded, show
ing an absence OF only eight. The daily
hour OF meeting was fixed at II noon.
Senator Garter, OF Montana, presented a
memorial and protest against the validity
OF the election OF his colleague, Mr.. Clark.
who few moments before he had escorted
to the chair to be sworn In; also petition
signed by the Governor, Speaker OF the
House and other officials of Montana, ask
ing the Senate to fix time and place for
the. hearing. The papers were referred to
the Committee on Privileges and Elections.
The session lasted only thirty-three min
utes. After the adoption OF the usual
routine resolutions and the administration
to the new members OF the oath OF office,
Senator Sewell, OF New Jersey, presented
fitting resolutions on the death Of the Vice.
President. The resolutions were ordered
to be communicated to the House OF Rep.
resentatlves, and tho session, on motion Of
Mr.. Kean, OF New jersey, was suspended.
As the clock opposite the Speakers ros.
trum pointed to the noon hour the gavel
OF the clerk OF the last House, Major Nc
Dowell, descended with bang. -.
After the Invocation the Reading Clerk
called the roll. When 1t was concluded
Clerk Mcdowell announced that 352 men,
bers had answered to their names-a quo
rum.
"The next thing In order" announced
the clerk, sis the election Of Speaker"
Mr.. Grosvenor, Of Ohio. nominated D avid
B. Henderson, of Iowa; Mr.. Hay, OF Viz
glnia, named James D. Richardson, OF Ten
nessee; Mr.. ,Ridgley, OF Kansas, nominated
John G. Boil, of Colorado, as the Popullst
candidate, and Mr.. Wilson, OF Idaho, placed
Francis G.. Newlands, OF Nevada, In nomi-
for the silverParty.
The result OF the vote for Speaker OF the
House WIS as; follows: Henderson, lit;
Richardson, 158; Bell, 4, and Newlands. 2.
General Henderson was escorted to the
desk by Mr.. Richardson and in brief
speech said:
pleasure, to impartially administer the laws
adopted for onr Government, but no
Speaker can be successful unless he has the
cooperation Of the members OK this
House."
In the midst OF the proceedings Mr.. Rob-
erts was the observed Of all observers.
Very early in the day monster petition,
ing against the seating of Mr.. Roberts, was
brought into the hall. II had been col
Iected by New York newspaper. It coz
sisted OF twenty-elght rolls OF names, each
about two feet in diameter, incased tn the
American flag. Later Major Mcdowell,
Clerk OF the House, ordered all except two
Of the rolls taken into the lobby.
Those who anticipated, sensational de-
ne,sement in the Roberts case were dlsap-
pointed. The programme outlined by the
Republican leaders was partly carried out.
The objection to the administration OF the
oath to Mr.. Roberts was entered by MIR.
Taylor,of Ohio, and he stepped aside with
out protest, except to ask II by doing so he
waived any Of his rights. To this the
Speaker responded In the negative.
The Reed rules were readopted for this
Congress, after a short and futile effort
from the Democratic side to secure mature
eonsid eratIon. The vote was IT. to- 158.
The. drawing OF seats by members fol-
lowed and as u mark OF respect to the late
Vice. President the House then adjourned
The officers OF the House elected were
Alexander Med DWELL, OF Pennsylvania
Clerks: Henry Casson, OF Wisconsin, Ser
geant. at Arms; ". J. Glenn. Of New York.
Doorkeeper, and ]. G. McElroY,. OF Ohio,
Postmaster.