Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-04

Speakers private Office, where HI
shared his time with the House leaders
and with those pleading for admission
cards.
Representative Richardson Of Tennes
see, the Democratic House leader wa.
also early on the scene, comforting with
his lieutenants.
Mr.. ROBERTS COMES IN.
Shortly before II o'clock Mr.. Roberts
Of Utah, in silk hat and black frocb
suit, made his way through the crowd
to the members private lobby Here he
CHANGED TO meet Mr.. Richardson, and
the two held short conference as to
whether Mr. Roberts would seek to adj
dress the House
A buzz Of comment followed the gen.
tleman from Utah wherever he went,
but there was no disrespectful demon
stration.
Seldom, II ever, have such enormous
| crowds swarmed about the House TO
witness the opening scenes Of the ses-
sion, as besleged the doors today The
assembling Of the new Congress al
ways attracts a big attendance. Today
the proceedings in the case Of Repre-
sentative-elect Roberts, which prom
ised 10 be exciting and possibly sensa-
tional, furnished an additional attrac-
ton.
For hours before noon, the hour for
the House TO meet, people streamed
through the corridors TO the galleries.
which looked down upon the arena
where the statesmen we're congregating
BY II o'clock a brilliant gathering had
assembled. The galleries were black
with people and through the swinging
doors could be seen pushing hundreds
who We're unable to gain admission.
Entrance was only obtained by cards for
which there was an enormous demand.
The ladies and members galleries
were filled with brilliantly gowned wo-
men. the wives OF members and their
friends The executive gallery was
filled with high dignitaries OF the gov
ernment and the diplomatic gallery re-
splendent with the representatives OF
fOteign governments.
Scattering through the galleries were
people prominent In the political, So
clQl ana nnanclal world.
MONSTER PETITION.
Very early in the day a monster petit
ton said 10 consist OF seven million
names, protesting against the seating OF
Mr.. Roberts. was bought into the hall
II had been collected by a New York
newspaper, II consisted Of twenty
eight rolls Of names each about two feet
In diameter, encased In the American
fae These rolls were stacked up in
the area in front Of the clerks desk and
were viewed with great curiosity.
Later Mai Mcdowell. clerk OF the
House. ordered all except two OF the
rolls taken out into the lobby.
Mr. Richardson Of Tenn, who was
selected as the leader Of the minority
on Saturday. came upon the floor early
and was surrounded by a group OF
Democrats Mr.. Roberts came into the
hall shortly after II O'clock but he was
not generally recognized. and he retired
TO the cloak room almost Immediately.
At 1870 u. m. shrill-voiced clerk d.
rected those not entitled to the floor TO
retire and officers and pages rapidly
cleared OUT those already In.
Conspicuous on the floor were the old
veterans. Payne, Of New York, the lead
er OF the majority; Gen. Grosyenor OF
Ohio: Mr. Hepburn of Iowa; Mr.. Dali
EEL. Of Pennsylvania; Mr. Bailey OF
Texas. Mr. Mcclellan and Mr.. Sulzer,
Of New York.
Senator Rawiins OF Utah came over
from the Senate wing and held an |
earnest conference with Mr.. Roberts
Mr.. Lentz OF Ohio took part In the |
conference. After II was over, the re- |
port was circulated that Mr.. Roberts |
would rot present himself TO be sworn |
In. Bu, this was Immediately denied. |
Mr. Roberts himself said he had not de-
cldee what he would do, but that he |
n light desire TO be heard when his case
came up. He. took a seat 10 the right |
81 the main aisle, and soon became the
cynosure OF all eyes His daughter sat
in the members gallery
Mr. Tayler, Of Ohio, who represents
Prest. McKlnleys district, who was TO
conduct the case against Mr.. Roberts.
was comforting with his colleagues on
the Republican side. As the minute
hand OF the clock opposite the Speak
sr's rostrum overlook the hour hand at
noon, the gavel OF the clerk OF the last
House. Mai. Mcdowell, descended with
\ DdnR. Inc l0ucntIluhoit Jun ttdSNts
The members at once arose and the
SPECTATORS In the galleries bowed their
heads. In this stiffness, the voice Of the
blind chaplain. Rev, Henry Couden, OF
Michigan, was elevated and his prayer
made the occasion reverent.
After the invocation the reading clerk
began calling the roll and a minute
alter the buzz had recommended, max
ng noisy background for the staccato
loice OF the clerk as he called out the
James.
ROBERTS ANSWERS ROLL CALL.
Mr.. Roberts sat listening intently for
IFS name. and when II was called he
responded Here" in a loud voice.
But he looked nervous and Hiatt
ase. There were no demonstrations
Turing the roll call When II was con-
luded Clerk Mcdowell announced that
SO members had answered 10 their
Iames, quorum,
1.-The next thing IN order" an
ounced' the clerk. rs the election OF
'pcaker"
Mr.. Hepburn. OF Iowa, offered a reso-
ltion which was adopted viva voce.
rovidIng that the House proceed 10
he election Of Speaker for the Fifty