Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-05

adopted by strict party vote.
Very early I'm the day the monster pc
titon. said TO consist OF 100000 names,
protesting against the seating OF Mr.. Ro-
berts was brought into the han. II had
been collected by a New York newspaper
II consisted OF twenty-elght rolls OF
names, each about feet in diameter. en-
casod In the American flag. These rolls
were stacked up I'm the area I'm front OF
tho 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 bar
rier against Mr.. Roberts dwindled 10 the
size OF barrel sawed in half, wrapped
IN bunting.
THE ROLI~CALL.
As the minute hand OF the clock oppo-
site the Speakers rostrum overlook the
hour-hand at noon. the gavel of the Clerk
or the last House, Major Mcdowell,
standing at the desk below the Speakers
rOstrum, descended with a bang The
blind chaplain. Rev. Henry Couden, of
Michigan, offered prayer. Then the read
Ing clerk began calling the roll.
Mr.. Roberts sat listening intently for
his name. and when IL was called, he
responded Here" IN a loud voice. But
he looked nervous and II! at ease. There
were no demonstrations during the roll
call When 1t was concluded. Clerk Nc
Dowell announced that 352 members had
answered TO their name--a quorum 1.-THE
next thing in order" announced the
clerk. rs the election of Speaker"
NOMINATIONS FOR SPEAKER.
Mr.. Hepburn. OF Iowa. offered reso-
luton. which was adopted viva voce.
providing that the House proceed to the
election Of Speaker for the Fifty-sixth
congress. Thereupon, Mr.. GrOsvenor, of
ONO, as chairman of the Republican
caucus, presented the name Of David Il.
Henderson, Of Iowa. The mention of the
name Of General Henderson was greeted
with round Of applause from the Re
publican 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. Ridgely Of Kansas. nominated John
c. Bell, Of Colorado. as the Populist can
didate, and Dir. Wilson, Of Idaho. placed
Francis 6. Newlands. of Nevada, in
nomination. as the candidate for the Sill
Yer party.
Each party having put forward its can
didate, by the decision Of the Clerk. the
roll was called and each member voted
for the candidate of his political anilia-
ton.
HENDERSON. III; RICHARDSON, 153
The ron-call resulted: Henderson. III;
Richardson, 1873; Bell, 4; Newlands @
The Clerk thereupon announced the
electon Of Mr. Henderson, amid great
Republican applause. He designated Mr.
Richardson. Mr.. Bell, and Mr. Newlands
as committee 10 escort the Speaker to
the rostrum. The committee retired to
Oh r.fr
doors OF the main portal Of the House
swung open. and General Henderson en-
tered, upon the arm of Mr. Richardson.
followed by the TWO other members of
the committee. When he assembled the
rostrum, Mr.. Richardson, IN a neat speech
introduced him. and in response to the
hearty cheers he addressed the House as
follows:
MR.. HENDERSON'S ACCEPTANCE.
Gentlemen of the House Of Represen-
tativcs. The voice Of this House has call
ed me TO grave responsibilities For that
can / am most profoundly grateful, and
l am keenly sensible OF the weight Of the
responsibilities that attach 10 this great
Office. j am encouraged, however by
the thought that no member Of this body
can escape responsibility, either 10 his
people or TO his country. All of US are
under bonds TO do our best
THE approval of the country, the ap-
| pr0val OF ones own conscience, the at
! tainment Of great results are not Sc
cured by petty contests on narrow fields,
| but must be sought and won on broad
patriotic lines of thought and action.
"lt is my dufy, ae IL VIII b. mT gin
anu pleasure, TO lmpartially administer
the laws adopted for our government. but
no Speaker can be successful unless he
has the cooperation Of the members Of
this House.
''The generous Partially and Kindness
that have been shown 70 me by the entire
membership here encourages me 10 be-
lieve that such imporfections as l may
have will be modified by the cOnsiderate
and supporting disposition of those con-
shutting this great body.
II am ready to take the oath Of Of
THE OATH OF OFFICE.
In accordance with the time-honored
custom. the Oldest member OF the House,
in point Of service. Mr.. Harmer. Of Penn
sylvania, who has served twenty-fOur
years in the lower branch Of Congress.
administered the oath 10 the Speaker.
Appearing in the area in front OF the
Clerks desk. he read the oath 10 the
Speaker who, with upifted hand, re-
peated the simple words after him. An
other round of applause followed, in
which the galleries Joined. The Speaker
then announced that the oath would be
administered to the members. by States.
As the names OF the members were called.
they appeared at the bar in groups Of
about a dozen. and there with raised
hands. were sworn i'm by the Speaker.
OBJECTION TO ROBERTS.
The moment for which all present were
anXiously waiting came when the State
Of Utah and Mr.. ROberts's name were
called. Instantly a hush fell upon the
assembly. Mr.. Tayler, of Ohio was on
his feet. asking for recognition. The
Speaker recognized him Immediately.
II object 10 the swearing in Of the Rep
resentative-elect from Utah, and TO his
taking his seat" began Mr. Taylor, in
clear, distinct voice.
Il DO so. Mr. Speaker" he continued,
"On my own responsibility as a member
of this House, ana because specific. seri-
Gus, ana apparently well-grOunded
charges of ineligibilty are made against
him A transcript Of the proceedings Of
court in Utah evidences the fact that the
pleaded guilty, of the crime of unlawful
cOhabitatiOn. Aflidavits and papers in my
possession indicate that ever since then
he has persistently been guilty of the
same crime, and that ever since then he
has been, ana is now. "A pOlNgamist. If
this transcript and these aifidavts and
papers tell the truth. the member-elect
from Utah is. in my judgment ineligible
TO be a member Of this House of Repre-
sentatiVcs both on account Of the statu-
tory qualifications of the Edmunds law,
and for higher and graver and quite as
sound reasons. ] ought also 10 say, in adj
ditiUn 10 what l have just said. that |
have i'm my possession certified copy or
the entry under which the claimant to
this seat was naturaized. and that emf
nent counsel assert that If IL be the re-
cord in the case this claimant is not a
citizen Of the United States. l offer and