Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-05
REED RULES ADOPTED.


was the adoption of the Reed rules for
the present Congress. The Democrats
knew it was futile to more than protest
against the adoption OF these rules after
the Republicans had decided upon this
course in caucus, and the debate upon
the resolutions to adopt them was very
brief. They were adopted by a strict
party vote.
A MONSTER PETITION.
Very early in the day the monster
petition, said to consist of seven mil
lion names, protesting against the sent
Ing of MIR. Roberts, was brought Into
the hall. 1t had been collected by New
York newspaper. It consisted Of TWEEN
ty-eight rolls OF names, each about two
feet in diameter, encnsed In the Amer
lean flag These rolls were stacked up
In the area in front OF the clerks desk
and were Viewed with great curiosity.
Later Major Mcdowell clerk of the
House. ordered all except two of the
rolls. taken out into the lobby, and the
big barrier against Mr.. Roberts
dwindlcd to the size of n barrel sawed
in half wrapped in bunting
AS the min,fte hand of the clock
opposite the Speakers rostrum over
took the hour hand at noon the gnvel
OF the clerk of the last House, Major
Mcdowell. standing at the desk below
the Speakers rostrum, descended with
n bang.
The blind chaplain. Rev. Henry Cou-
den, OF Michigan. offered prayer. Then
the reading clerk began calling the
roll.
ROBERTS LISTENS.
N1r. Roberts sat listening intcntly for
his name, and when his name was
called he responded here, in n loud
voice. But he looked nervous and i'll
at ease. There were no demonstra-
tions during the roll call. When 1t was
concluded, Clerk Mcdowell announced
that 253 members had answered 10
their names--a quorum. The next
thing in order" announced the clerk.
is the election OF Speaker"
HENDERSON ELECTED SPEAKER.
Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, offered a reso-
luton, which was adopted viva woes,
providing that the House proceed to
the election of Speaker for the Fifty
sixth Congress. Thereupon Mr.. Gros-
venor. of Ohio, as chairman Of the
Republican caucus, presented the name
of David d. Henderson, Of Iowa. The
mention OF the name of General Hen
derson was greeted with a round of
applause from the Republican side.
Mr.. Hay, of Virginia, chairman OF
the Democratic caucus, nominated
James d. Richardson. of Tennessee,
and his name drew the plaudits of the
Democratic side. Mr.. Ridgeley OF
Kansas, nominated John c. Bell, OF
and NIr. Wilson, of idaho. placed
Francis G.. Newlands, of Nevada, in
nomination as the candidate for the
Silver party.
THE VOTE.
Each party put forward it's candidate
by the direction of the clerk, the roll
was called and each member voted for
the candidate of his political utilization.
The roll call resulted: Henderson,
Ut; Richardson. 1853; Bell, 4, and New
lands. 2. The clerk thereupon an
amid great Republican applause. lie
designated MIR. Richardson, Mr.. Bell
and MI. Newlnnds as q committee to
escort the Speaker to the chair.
The committee retired to the lobby,
and after short walt the doors Of the
main portal of the House swung open
and General Henderson entered upon
the arm of Mr.. Richardson, followed by
the two other members Of the commit
tee. When he assembled the rostrum
Mr.. Richardson. in O neat speech, in
troduced him, and in response to the
hearty cheers he addressed the House.
THE Speakers ADDRESS.
1.-THE generous partially and kindness
that have been shown to me by the en-
tire membership here, encourages me
to believe that such imperfections as l
may have will be modified by the con-
s!derate and supporting disposition OF
those constituting this great body.
Il am ready to take the oath of Of
flee"
In accordance with the -hpnored
custom, the Oldest member of the
House in point Of service. Mr. Harmer,
OF Pennsylvania, who has served "a