Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-05

resolutions were adopted to inform the presi-
dent and the senate OF the organization Of
the house. committee of three, consist
, ing OF Messrs. Cannon, republican OF ILL
nois, Payne, republican Of New York, and
Richardson, democrat of Tennessee,
were appointed to join a similar committee
I from the senate to wait on the president
and inform him that congress was in ses-
sion and ready to receive any communica-
tion he might have to make.
Debate on Adopting Old Rules.
Mr.. Dalzell, republican OF Pennsylvania,
one of the republican floor leaders,
then precipitated short but
lively debate by offering a resolution
for the adoption of the rules of the last
congress- They were the rules of three
congresses, he said, and their operation
had proved their value.
Mr.. Bailey, democrat OF Texas, pro-
tested against forcing the rules of
the last house permanently upon
the present house without warn
ing or consolidation, but he expressed a
willingness to see them adopted temporarily
until others could be framed.
Mr. Richardson, democrat OF Tennes
see, endorsed what his colleague
had said, but from what the
public press had said he realized how
hopeless resistance would be. Nevertheless
he protested in the name Of the minority.
He good-naturedly chided Mr.. Hep
burn, republican OF Iowa, who fire.
quently complained OF the rules
in the last congress, for not leading his
partisans in fight for their reformation.
Had he done so, Mr.. Richardson said, the
ILL.,
Mr.. Bailey followed with some specific critl,
cism of the rules and their operation.
Mr.. Hepburn, republican OF Iowa,
mitted that he had favored some
notifications, but he frankly sta ell
that his colleagues in the republican caucus
had been opposed to him and that he had
yielded to their united wisdom
Mr.. Dalzell then moved the previous ques-
tion, which was ordered, and the vote was
| taken by ayes and nays upon the adoption
of the rules of the last congress.
! While the roll was being called a large
| floral gavel from the Union Veterans union
of Dubuque Ia, and a beautiful basket
of flowers from his old comrades from Hyde
| post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Du-
| buque, were placed on the speakers desk.
The resolution for the adoption of the rules
was carried; yeas III; nays, 1853.
Members Draw Their Seats.
resolution for the biennial seat draw
| ing was then adopted, but by unanimous
consent Grow of Pennsylvania, as a former
ex-speaker of the house. and Harmer OF
| Pennsylvania, the oldest member, were
granted the privilege OF selecting their seats
before the drawing. Each selected his old
seat. The members then retired behind
| the rails in the rear of the seats, leaving
| the floor vacant and blndfolded page,
| Griffin Halsted, a son of Murat Halsted,
| drew the little balls containing the num-
| bers from box. Each ball was numbered
| and the number of the member correspond
| ing was given an opportunity to select a
| seat as his name was called. The namc
of Adamson of Georgia was first called and
he selected the seat occupied in the Fifty
first congress by the late Speaker Crisp.
The names OF Steele OF Indiana and Bah
cock of Winsconsin were drawn early and
amid the applause Of their colleagues they
selected prominent positions ON the repub-
| lican side.
Hit OF Illinois, chairman of the foreign
affairs committee In the last congress, who
had seat in the Cherokee strip" in the
nent seat on the main aisle. Cannon OF
| Illinois, Dolliver OF Iowa and Overstreet OF
| Indiana selected adjoining seats in the right
center of the republican side. Bailey of
Texas got a conspicuous seat near his old
place,
Richardson Of Tennessee got his old seat,
| although his name was called late. His
! colleagues reserved the seat for him. A
big tree OF American Beauty roses was placed
on his deck and the house irrespective OF
| party applauded vigorously He was also
the recipient OF several large baskets OF
chrysanthemums. The name OF Payne OF
| New York was also called late, but he got
conspicuous seat in the front row, which
had been overlooked.
Dalzell Of Pennsylvania and Grosvenor OF
| Ohio were not called until the end had
been almost reached, but each managed to
| get q good seat, Hepburn OF Iowa was the
first prominent republican who was forced to
| go to the Cherokee strip on the demo-
cratic side for seat He was received with
applause by the democrats.
| All during the call OF names Roberts OF
| Utah had been standing In the rear of the
railing listening for his name, but when the
balls were exhausted his name had not been
called AS he had not taken the oath no ball
had been placed in the box for him, but by
| an accident he secured seat. The names
OF two republican members had not been
called when the balls were exhausted. The
speaker explained that the balls were ex-
hausted and asked II any members had not
been provided with seats. The two repub-
licans and Roberts came forward.
III there is no objection" said the
speaker, those gentlemen whose names
have not been drawn will now select seats.
There was no objection and. Roberts man
aged to find a vacant seat in the extreme
rear OF the extreme right OF the hall, There
| he established himself
| Gardner. republican OF New Jersey. then
announced the death OF Vice President Ho-
bart In fitting words, referring briefly to his
| brilliant and useful career and the profound
! grief with which the nation had received the