Chariton courier., 1899-12-08
OPPOSE SEATINGOF ROBERTS
Congressman Would ExpeI the
Member from Utah.
DEFINITE ACTION DELAYED.
Committee VIII Act on the Matter
TOday-D. Ii. Henderson Takes His
Seat as spesker-Reed Rules Adopted
Short Session of Senate.

Washington, Dec. 6.-At the open
ing of the house Monday the princi-
pal interest centered in the disposition
of the case of Mr.. Roberts, the Nor
mon representative from Utah. The
program outlined by the republican
leaders at their conference on Friday
night was partly carried out. 4 Ie
objection to the administration of the
oath to Mr.. Roberts was entered by
Mr. Tayler Of Ohio, and, as predicted,
Mr.. Roberts stepped aside without pro-
test, except to ask if by doing so he
waived any of his rights. To this the
speaker responded IN the negative.
The only voice raised except that Of
Mr.. Tayler's was that of Mr.. McRae,
a democrat of Arkansas, who joined
with Mr.. Tayler in his protest.
Mr.. TayIer offered his resolution to
refer the cage to special committee,
but l. mutual agreement the consid-
Grafton Of the resolution was postponed
until today in order that the routine
business in connection with the or
ganiZation might be transacted.
Although Mr.. Roberts was not sworn
in. he secured a seat. This, however,
was by an accident. In the seat-draw-
ing no provision had been made for
Mr.. Roberts, but when the drawing
was completed, two others, as we'll as
himself, had not been provided with
seats, and the speaker asked and Sc
cured from the house general permis-
sion for them to make such selections
as they could.
hlr. Roberts got a soat'fa an obscure
portion of the hall. Hisssdaughter sat
in the gallery and watched the pro-
ceedings from beginning to end.
Very early in the day a monster petit
ton, said to consist of 100000 names,
protesting against the seating Of MI.
Roberts, was brought into the hall.
The election of Speaker Henderson
and his induction into Office, the ap-
pOintnent of the usual committees to
wait upon the president, the seat
drawing contest, went off without q
hitch. Ine only other feature out of
the ordinary was the adoption of the
Reed rules for the present congress
They were adopted by a strict party
vote.
After the Invocation the reading
clerk began calling the roll. Mr. Rob
erts sat listening intently for his name
and when it was called he responded
here" in loud voice Bat he looked
nervous and i'll at ease. There were
no demonstrations during the roll cali.
When it concluded Clerk Mcdowell
announced that 352 members had an
swered to their names-a quorum.
Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa offered a reso-
luton, which was adopted viva voce,
providing that the house proceed to
the election of a speaker for the fifty
sixth congress. Thereupon Mr.. Gros-
venor of Ohio, as chairman of the re-
publican caucus, presented the name of
David B. Henderson of Iowa.
Mr.. Hay Of Virginia, chairman of the
democratic caucus, nominated James
D. Richardson of Tennessee, Mr..
Ridgely of Kansas nominated John c.
Bell of Colorado as the populist candt-
date, and Mr.. Wilson of Idaho placed
Francis G. Newlands of Nevada in
nomination as the candidate of the sill
yer party.
Each party having put forward its
candidate, by the direction of the clerk
the roll was called and each member
voted for the candidate of his choice.
Mr.. Morris of Minnesota, Mr.. Over
street of Indiana and Mr. Carmack of
Tennessee were appointed tellers.
The roll call resulted:
Henderson, III; Richardson, 153;
Bell, 4; Newlands, 2.
The clerk thereupon announced the
election of Mr.. Henderson amIu great
republican applause. He designated
Mr.. Richardson, Mr.. Bell and Mr.. New
lands as q committee to escort the
speaker to the chair.
Mr.. Gardner Gep., n. j. announced
the death of Vice-President Hobart, re-
ferring briefly to his career. Later
he said, he would P.sk the house to set
aside a day to pay appropriate tribute
to his memory. AS a further mark of
respect upon his motion the house, at
$50 % m adjourned until tCfiay