The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-12-09

Washington, Dec. u. Enormous
crowds witnessed the opening scenes
in the house yesterday. The principal
interest conferred in the disposition Of
the cast Of Mr.. Roberts, Mormon men,
Der from Utah. Those who anticipated
q sensational denouement were disap-
pointed. The programme outlined by
the Republican leaders at their confer
ence OH Thursday night was practical
ly carried out. The objection to the
administration of the oath to Mr.. Rob-
erts was entered by Mr.. Taylor Of
Ohio as predicted, and he stepped aside
without protest, except to ask If by
doing so he waived any of his rights.
To this the speaker responded in the
negative.
There was not a protest from any
quarter against the objection to the
administration of the oath to Mr.. Rob
erts. But. on the contrary, the only
voice raised except that of Mr.. Fay
lor's, was that Of Mr.. McRae, a Demo-
crat of Arkansas, who Joined with Mr..
Taylor in his protest. Mr.. Taylor Of
fered his resolution to refer the case to
a special committee, but by mutual ar
rangement the consideration of the
resolution was postponed until to-day
in order that the routine business in
connection with the organization might
be transacted.
Although Mr.. Roberts was not sworn
in yesterday he secured a seat. This.
however. was by an accident, pure and
simple. In the seat drawing lottery no
provision had been made for Mr.. Rob-
erts. but when the drawing was COM
pletcd two others as well as himself
had not been provided with seats. and
the speaker asked and secured from
the house general permission for those
members who had not drawn seats to
make such selections as they could.
Under this authority MI. Roberts got
q seat in an obscure portion Of the
hall. His daughter sat in the gallery
and watched the proceedings from be-
ginning to end. The election Of
Speaker Henderson and his induction
into Office, the appointment of the
usual committees to wait upon he
president, the seat drawing contest
with the usual amusing features went
off without a hitch. The only other
feature out of the ordinary was the
adoption Of the Reed rules for the pres
ent congress. The Democrats knew it
was futile to more than protest against
the adoption of these rules after the
Republicans had decided upon this
course in caucus, and the debate upon
the resolution to adopt them was very
brief. They were adopted by a strict
party vote.
In the Senate.
Appropriate tribute tos the. memory
Of the late vice president was paid by
the senate yesterday at it's first ses-
sion of the Fifty-sixth congress. The
session lasted only thirty-three min
utes and only the most formal and
necessary business was transacted.
After the adoption Of the usual routine
resolutions and the administration to
the new members of the oath of office
Senator Sewall of New Jersey pre-
sented fitting resolutions upon the
death of the vice president. The reso-
lutions were ordered to be commune
Gated to the house of representatives,
and the session. on motion of MI.
Keane of New Jersey, was suspended.
Flag for the Speaker.
Washington. Dec. Ga pretty Incl
dent preliminary to the meeting of the
house of representatives took place in
the speakers ROOM, where Gen. Hen
derson was presented with q hand
some silk flag on a staff cut from the
campus of the old college at Lafayette,
Iowa. Several ladies participated in
the presentation and Gen. Henderson
formally responded with a reference
to the kindly, patriotic and inspiring
character of the gift.