The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-03


WASHINGTON, Dec 2.-The caucus Of
the house Republlcans which was held in
the hall OF the house of representatives to-
night was both interesting ana important.
The se1ection OF the candidate for speaker
and other house officers was q cut and
dried affair. But before the adjournment
Of the caucus, after discussion lasting
almost two hours. the Republicans. with
out dissenting vote. decided to re-cnact
the Reed rules. ..
The selection Of q candidate for speaker
by the party in power is usually very
animated affair. but months ago all the
other candidates who entered the field
after the retirement Of Speaker Reed aban-
doned the contest. leaving Gen. David B.
Henderson of Iowa the nnopposed candi-
date. His nomination was. therefore, q
foregons conclusion, and he was nominated
by acciamation. The officers OF the last
house. except Col Russell. the sergeant-at-
arms. were renominated without opposi-
ton.
Col. Russell was not q candidate for re-
election. and Col Henry A. cAsson, Of
Wisconsin. was nominated in his stead.
The caucus was held In the house Of rep
resentatives and was largely attended
Gen. Grosvenor Prsstdes.
1t was presided over by Gen. Grosvenor
OF Ohio. who was reelected chairman Of
the caucus Mr.. Loudenslager OF New
Jersey was reelected secretary. Mr.. Hem
derson's name was presented by Mr.. Payne
'of s1sow Tor1k, ana seconded ~ MR. Heps
kins Of Illinois, both. Of whom had been
can6z4xtes erikinsily- Ths-roll was not
called. Tho nonine1iaB. sRaa made by ac-
clamat.on. Gen. Henderson came to 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 pf
New York and Sherman of New York. Hts
appearance was greeted with cheers, and
in response Gen. Henderson addressed the
caucus
Gen. Henderson Returns Thanka.
After expressing his deep appreciation Of
the honor conferred upon him, he said:
1--WE have great responsibilities resting
upon us in this congress and greater re-
sponsibfIities in the coming year. and upon
our wise action depends the prosperity OF
the country that we all love. May i'm
press upon your minds the absolute neces-
sity for devotion to the republic In more
than one purpose. Economy must be our
watchword: care in the expenditure Of the
peoples money. AT the same time let .us
be large enough In intellect to grasp the
situation which presents grfwing coun-
try with opening and expanding conditions
which demand our careful and pa
triot.c consideration. We are going to
be met by well organized and able min
GRITTY, led by accomplished leaders. This
involves the necessity for the Republicans
to touch elbows in the work before us.
We have got to realize that in this con-
gresr, with our small majority. every man.
like true soldier, must be constantly at
his post OF duty. and / urge with great
earnsstness that this be the determination
of each and all Accepting this generous
nomination a. / DO, have no fears but
that the united wisdom and work of THIS
great body will influence the confidence
and happiness Of the republic. Profoundly
and gratefully. thank YOU ask that I
may lean upon you. each one OF you, and
that is the highest request that I can
make tonight"
No Leaves VIII BE Granted.
Mr. Payne of New York called attention
to the narrow majority In the house and
the necessity of having all Of the Republi-
cans present throughout the session. He
offered resolution. which was adopted.
that no leaves be granted except for ur-
gent cases. and that one member should
be appointed to look after the pairs
Argument Over the Rules.
Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsylvania, who
was a member OF the committee on rules
in the last congress, offered a resolution
declaring it to be the sense of the caucus
that the rules of the Fifty-fourth and
Fifty-hfth congresses (the Reed rules)
should be adopted by the incoming house.
He made a speech Of considerable length In
support of his resolution. Under the oper-
ations Of the rules Of the last two con-
crosses, he argued. the majority had been
able to transact business to their satsfac-
ton, and the satisfaction of the country.
They were the only rules under which the
house had been able to do business.
Hepburn Wanted Them Nodded.
Mr.. Hepburn. OF Iowa, who fought the
rules in the last congress, attempted to
argue several points with Mr. DaIzell, but
the latter refused to yield. When he had
concluded, however, Col. Hepburn got the
floor and attacked the resolutions. He In
sisted that the rules should be modified.
He laid particular stress upon the question
OF reccgctt1on. which. he claimed shouId