Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-12-04
CONGRESS OPENED
A Petition Miles Long With Millions
Of Names Submitted in the
Roberts Case.
DAY OF UNUSUAL INTEREST
Throngs Went to the Capitol and the Senate
Chamber Looked Like Floral Show
Was in Progress Important Ques-
tions to Come Up.
THE, HOUSE.

ing of the fifty sixth congress at nool
to-day attracted widespread attention
The far-reaching questions awaitin.
consideration gave unusual importanc
to the return of congress. Aside from
this, the Roberts case introduced
| side 1 { the or -.inalI developments Of th
opening day. Early in the day throng'
began converging at the capitol. Sci
| dom If ever has such a crowd sough1
Scattered through the house galleries
were people prominent in the political
social and financial world. A monster
petition, said to consist of 100000
Of Roberts Of Utah, was brought into
the hall. It had been collected by a New
York newspaper. 1t consisted of tWen-
ty-eight rolls, each of about 2 feet in
diameter, encased in an American flag
Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee, who
was selected as the leader Of the minor
ity Saturday, came upon the floor early,
and was soon surrounded by Democrats.
Roberts came into the hall shortly after
II o'clock, but retired to a cloak room
almost Immediately.
Senator Rawlins, of Utah, came over
from the senate wing and held an earn
est conference with Roberts.
The death of Vice President Hobart
cast pail over the preliminary pro-
ceedings.
AS usual on the opening days session,
the senate chamber was a vertable con-
servatory Scarcely a senator was for
gotten i'm the lavish floral display.
Mr.. Lentz of Ohio took part in the
conference After it was over report
was circulated that Mr.. Roberts would
not present himself to be sworn in. This
was Immediately denied. Mr.. Roberts
said he had not decided what he would
do, but he might desire to be heard
when his case came up. He took seat
to the right of the main aisle.
Mr.. Taylor of Ohio, who represents
President McKinley's district, who was
to conduct the case against Mr.. Roberts,
was comforting with his colleagues on
the Republican side. At noon the gavel
Of the clerk, Major Mcdowell, descend
ed with bang. The blind chaplain,
Rev. Henry Coudeil, of Michigan, Of
fered an Invocation. The reading clerk
then began calling the roll. Mr.. Rob
erts sat listening intently for his name,
and when it was called responded
here in loud voice. But he looked
nervous and i'll at ease.
Clerk Mcdowell announced 1852 mem
bers answered to their names.
Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa offered a reso
luton, which was adopted viva voce,
providing that the house proceed to the
election of a speaker of the fifty-sixth
congress.
Mr.. Grosvenor, as chairman Of the
Republican caucus, presented the name
of David B. Henderson, of Iowa. Mr..
Nay of Virginia, chairman of the DEM
ocratic caucus, nominated James D.
Richardson of Tennessee. Mr. Ridgley
of Kansas nominated John G. Bell of
Colorado as the Populist candidate. Mr..
Wilson of Idaho placed Francis G. New
lands of Nevada in nomination as a
candidate of the Silver party
The roll-call resulted: Henderson, III
Richardson, 1853; Bell. a; Newlands, ..
The clerk thereupon announced the
election of Mr.. Henderson amid great
Republican, applause.
When the new speaker assembled the
rostrum Mr.. Richardson introduced
him, and i'm response to hearty cheers
he addressed the house briefly pledging
himself impartially to administer the
laws adopted for the house, asking for
the cooperation of the members. The
oldest member of the house, Harmer of
Pennsylvania, administered the oath to
the speaker. The speaker then an
nounced that the oath would be admin
istered to members by states. When
the name of Brigham H. Roberts was
reached the Utah member elect pro-
ceeded alone to the area in front of the
speakers desk and awaited the admin
istration of the oath. At the same time
Representative Taylor of Ohio secured
recognition, and amid breathless inter-
est protested against the swearing in Of
Mr.. Roberts on the ground Of his being
a polygamist and not a properly natur-
allied American citizen. Taylor spoke
ispassionately. Roberts stood gazing
intently at him.
Representa- McRae of Arkansas
followed with a protest from the DEM