Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-05
CONGRESS-
!. ASSEMBLIES.
National Body of Lawmakers
Meets at washing-
ton Today.
ROBERTS OBJECTED TO.
Taylor. OF Ohio, objects to the Utah
Congressman-SIght- at the
Capitol Building Hobart's
Death Casts Shadow,

Death Casts shadow,
Washington, Dec. 4.-By Associated
Press.)-The opening of the Fifty-sixth
congress today attracted that wide
spread attention which always attaches
to the annual assembling of the nation
al lawmakers. There was an added in
terest in the event this year, for the
many far-reaching questions awaiting
consideration gave an unusual import
ance to the return of congress. Aside
from this the Roberts case introduced
phase which promised something out
side the ordinary developments of the
opening day.
Early in the day throngs began con-
verging at the capitol. The outer doors
We're open TO all, and through these
flowed continuous streams of human
itv until the great corridors, galleries
and routundas We're fairly packed. AS
early as 1920 o'clock the conspicuous
figures of congress began to arrive and
this served to give the waiting throngs
temporary diversion. General Hender-
son went direct to the speakers private
office, where he shared his time with
the house leaders and with those plead
ing for admission cards. Represents
tive Richardson of Tennessee, the demo-
crat house leader, was also early on the
scene, comforting with his lieutenants.
Shortly before IL o'clock, Roberts of
Utah, in silk hat and black frock suit,
made his way through the crowd to the
members private lobby. Here he
schanced 10 meet 7; u alsards dson, and the
two held a short conference, as 10
whether Roberts would seek to address
the house. A buzz of comment follow
ed the gentleman from Utah wherever
he went, but there was no disrespectful
demonstration.
Scattered through the galleries were
people prominent in the political, social
and financial worlds. Very early in the
day the monster petition, said to con-
sist of seven million names, protesting
against the seating of Roberts was
brought into the hall. 1t had been col
1ected by New York newspaper. 1t
consisted of twenty-eight rolls OF
names, each about two feet in diameter,
encased in an American flag. These
rolls We're stacked up in the area in
front of the clerks desk and were
viewed with great curiosity. Later,
Major Mcdowell, the clerk of the house,
ordered all except two of the rolls ta-
ken out into the lobby.
After conferences between the house
leaders on both sides,it became general
ly understood that the Roberts case
would go over until tomorrow, after the
Yeading of the presidents message.
This will permit the formal organiza-
ton OF the house and the selection of
seats to proceed today. Formal obiec-
tions 10 Roberts will be presented to-
day, but the understanding is that the
main question will go over. Represent
ative Richardson, the democratic floor
leader, says the understanding is defin-
ite and formal but some republican
members regard the procedure as
doubtful.
Richardson, of Tennessee. who was
selected as the leader of the minority
on Saturday, came upon the floor ear
lv and was soon surrounded by a
group of democrats. Roberts came in
TO the hall shortly after IL o'clock, but
he was not generally recognized and
he retired to the cloak room almost
immediately. At 1890 O'clock shfill-
voiced clerk directed those not entitled
to the floor to retire and the officers
and pages rapidly cleared out those al
ready in. Conspicuous on the floor
were the old veterans Payne, of New
York, leader of the majority; General
Grosvenor, of Ohio; Hepburn, of To-
wa; Dalzell, of Pennsylvania; Bailey.
of Texas; McClelland and Sulzer. of
New York. Senator Rawlings, of
Utah, came over.from the senate wing
and held an earnest conference with
Roberts. Lentz, of Ohio, took part m
the conference and after it was over.
the report was circulated that Roberts
would not present himself TO be sworn
in, but this was Immediately denied.
Roberts himself said he had not decid-
ed what he would do, but that he
might desire to be heard when his
case came up. Mr.. Taylor, of Ohio,
who represents McKinley's district,
who was to conduct the case. against
Roberts, was comforting with his col
leagues on the republican side.
Houses Called to Order.
Washington, Dec. 4-(By Associated
Press. s.)-The two houses of congress
were called to order at noon, the SEN
ate by Mr.. Frye of Maine, and the house
by its clerk, Mr.. Mcdowell.
Nominations for Speaker.
Promptly at noon, after the invoca-
tion of the blind chaplain, Rev. Henry
Cowden, of Washington, the. reading
clerk began calling. Roberts sat listen
ing intently for his name, and when
1t was called he responded "here,' in Il
loud voice. He looked nervous and i'll
at ease. There were no demonstrations