The San Francisco call., 1899-12-03
HENDERSON OF IOWA NAMED
FOR SPEAKER BY ACCLAMATI0N
Caucus Of Republican Members Of the House Of Representatives
Decides Unanimously to Re-enaCt the Reed
Governing Rules.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2.-The caucus Of
the House Republicans, which was held
in the hall Of the House Of Representa-
tives tonight. was both interesting and
important The selection OF the candi-
date for Speaker and other House officers
was a cut and dried affair, but before the
adjournment OF the caucus, after a dis
cussion lasting almost two hours. the Re
publicans. without dissenting vote, de-
cided TO re-enact the Reed rules.
General David B. Henderson OF Iowa,
the unopposed candidate, was nominated
for Speaker by acclamation. The officers
OF the last House, except Colonel Russell,
the sergeant at arms. were renominated
without opposition. Colonel Russell was
not a candidate for reelection, and Col
onel Henry a. Casson Of Wisconsin was
nominated in his stead.
The caucus was held in the House OF
Representatives and was largely attended.
II was presided over by General Gros-
venor OF Ohio, who was reelected chair
man OF the caucus. Mr.. Loudenslager OF
New Jersey was reelected secretary. Mr.
Henderson's name was presented by Mr..
Payne of New York, and seconded by Mr..
Hopkins Of Illinois. both of whom had
been candidates originally. The roll was
not called. The nomination was made by
acclamation. General Henderson came 10
the Capitol and remained in the Speakers
room in the rear Of the House lobby until
the House officers had been selected. He
was then escorted TO the rostrum Of the
House by Messrs. Hopkins OF Illinois.
Payne Of New York and Sherman OF New
York. His appearance was greeted with
cheers and in response General Hender-
con addressed the caucus. After express
ing his deep appreciation Of the honor
conferred upon him, he said:
We have great responsibiIitie. resting upon
Us in this Congress and greater responsibilities
In the coming year. and upon our wise action
depends the prosperity OF the country that we
all love May Impress upon your minds the
absolute necessity Tor devotion 10 the republic
In more than one purpose Economy must be
our watchword-care in the expenditure OF the
peoples money. At the time let Us De
large enough IN intellect 10 grasp the situation
which presents a growing country. with OPEN
ing and expanding conditions which demand
our careful and patriotic consideration
We are going 70 be met by we'll or.anized
and able minority, led by accomplished lead
ers- This involves the necessity for the Re
publicans to touch elbows In the work before
US We have got TO realize that In this Con-
Cress. with our small majority every man
like true soldier. must be constantly at his
post Of duty, and | urge with the greatest
earnestness that this be the determination OF
each and all
Accepting this generous nomination as do
/ have no fears but that the united wisdom
and work OF this great body will Increase the
confidence and happiness OF the republic pro
ioundiy and gratefully. / thank you I ask
that ! may lean upon you-each one OF YOU
and that ls the highest request that can make
tonight.
Mr.. Payne OF New York called attention
TO the narrow majority in the House and
the necessity OF having all the RepuhIj
cans throughout the session. He offered
a resolution, which was adopted. that no
leaves OF absence be granted excent for
urgent cases. and that one member
should be appointed 10 look after the
pairs.
Mr.; Dalzell Of Pennsylvania. who was a
member OF the Committee on Rules in the
last Congress, offered a resolution declar-
ing II TO be the sense Of the caucus thar
the rules OF the Ftfty-fourth and Fifty
nth Congresses (the Reed rules) should
be adopted by the incoming House. Ho
made speech OF considerable length in
support Of his resolution. Under the
operations OF the rules OF the last two
Congresses, he argued. the majority had
been able TO transact business to It's sat-
isfaction and TO the satisfaction OF the
der which the House had been able TO
do business.
Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa. who fought the
rules in the last Congress. ATTEMPTED 70
argue several points with Mr.. DaIzeIl.
but the latter refused to yield When he
had concluded, however, Colonel Hen
burn got the foor and attacked the reso-
lutions. He insisted that the rules should
be modified He laid particular stress
upon the question of recognition which
he claimed should go to the first member
who addressed the chair. This has been
one Of Mr Hepburn's causes of COM
plaint in preceding Congresses. He con-
tended that the Committee on Rules
should be entirely independent of the
Speaker and that there should be a gem
eral decentralization OF power from
the Speaker in the direction of commit ]
tees.
The Speaker and the Committee on
Rules, he contended. had too much power
under the rules proposed 10 be adopted.
should be expanded. He proposed an
amendment to the resolution providing
that the rules should be adopted for forty