Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-03
TO WELD THE GAVEL
Republican Caucus Unanimously Selects
Henderson for Speaker
DELIVERS A NEAT SPEECH OF THANKS
1mpresses Upon Members Need of Constant
Attendance at Sessions
LIVELY DISCUSSION OVER THE RULES
Hepburn Insists Upon Taking Away Power
Vested in the Speaker
prFnNrH n,,xr nn.narz
CAUCUS REFUSES TO MAKE CHANGES
Former Speaker Reeds Rules Are
AdoDtcd without IA Dissenting
Vote After Hcpburn's with
drnwal of His Amendment.

| drnwal of His Amendment.
| WASHINGTON Dec. 2.-The caucus OF the
| house republicans, which was held in the
| nail OF the house of representatives tonight
was both interesting and important. The
| selection of the candidate for speaker and
other house officers was cut and dried
AFFAIR, but before the adjournment of the
| caucus, after a discussion lasting almost
two hours, the republican members, without
a dissenting vote, decided to re-enact the
| Reed rules.
The selection OF a candidate for speaker
by the party in power is usually very an
| mated anair, but months ago the other can
| dldates who entered the field after the re-
tlrement of Speaker Reed retired from the
! contest, leaving General David b. Henderson
OF Iowa the unopposed candidate. His nom,
inatlon was therefore, foregone conclu.
sion and he was nominated by acclamation
The officers of the last hour, except Coli
onel Russell, the sergeant at arms, were
| renomnated without opposition, as follows:
Clerk, Alexander Mcdowell of Pennsylvania;
doorkeeper, W. J. Glencoe of New York:
postmaster, j. G. McElroy of Ohio; chaplain,
Rev. Henry Couden of Michigan
Colonel Russell was not a candidate for
reelection and Colonel Henry A. Casson of
Wisconsin was nominated in his stead.
The caucus was presided over by General
Grosvenor who was elected chairman Loud
enslager of New Jersey was reelected sec
retary. General Henderson's name was
presented by Payne of New York and sec
onded by Hopkins of Illinois, both of whom
had been candidates originally The roll
was called and the nomination was made by
acclamation. General Henderson came to
the capitol and remained in the speakers
room in the rear of the house lobby until
after the house officers had been selected
He was then escorted to the rostrum by
the committee consisting of Messrs Payne,
Hopkins and Sherman. His appearance was
greeted with cheers, and in response he
said:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: You will
Permit me to speak from my mind and from
my heart on this occasion. Perhaps no
pratefm gran ids 70 eNf m haa ni2fe reason for being
legislative organization than have at this
hour. | assure you that no man ever felt
which this nomination has come, the
friendship abounding, If ! may say it, in
lions lions which l do not attempt to conceal.
Those who aspired to the same high office
by their generous treatment of me only
demonstrated the greatness of the men
who aspired with me for your recognition.
and their generous follow ers., blending into
they were supported. (Appause.)
Economy the Watchword.
We have great responsibilities resting
upon us in this congress and great respon-
slbllitles IN the coming year, and upon our
country that we all love. May / impress
upon your minds the absolute necessity for
particular. Economy must be our watch
word; care In the expenditure of the peo-
large enough in intellect to grasp grasp the situao
tion which presents growing country with
opening and expanding conditions which
demand our careful and patriotic considera-
ton We are going TO be met by a well or
ganized and able minority, led by accom-
plished leaders. This involves the necessity
for the republicans touching elbows in the
great work before us. We have got TO
realize that in this congress, with small
majority, every man must be constantly at
his post of uty-(applauseD-and | urge
with great earnestness that this will be the
determination of each and all.
Accepting this generous nomination as l
do, | have no fear hut that the united wis
dom and work OF this great body will in
republic Profoundly l thank you ] ask
that ] may lean upon you, each one of you
and that is the highest request / can make
tonight.
Payne of New York called attention to the
narrow majority in the house and the neces-
sity of having all the republicans present
throughout the session. He offered reso-
luton, which was adopted, that no leaves
of absence should be granted, except for
urgent reasons, and that one member should
be appointed to look after the pairs,
Dalzel OF Pennsylvania who was mem
Der 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-fou and Fifty-ifth con
crosses (he Reed rues) should be adopted
by the incoming house. He made a speech
Of considerable length in support of his reso-
luton. Under the operation OF the rules
OF the last two congresses the majority had
been able to transact business to their salts
faction and to the satisfaction OF the coun-
try. They were the only rules under which
the house had been able to do business
Hepburn of Iowa, who fought the rules in
the last congress, attempted to argue sew
eral points with Dalzell. but the latter re-
fused to yield.
Hepburn Attacks Rules.
Hepburn got the floor and attacked the
resolution vigorously He insisted that the
ruleu should be modified lie laid particular
stress upon the question of recognition
which he claimed should go to the first
member who addressed the chair. This has
been one of Hepburns causes of complaint
in preceding congresses, He also contended
that the committee on rules should be en-
tirely independent of the speaker and that
there should be a general decentralization
OF mower from the speaker in the direction
of the committee.
The speaker and the committee on rules,
he contended. had too much power under
the rules propt sod to be adopted The power
of committees and individuals should be ex-
panded, He proposed an amendment to the
resolution providing that the rules should
be adopted for forty days during which
notifications could be decided upon. This
amendment mot with little favor. on the
ground that 1t would show weakness
Cannon OF Illinois, who will again be
chairman OF the committee on appropria-
tions warmly supported Dalzels resolu-
tion. He argued, and cited many instances
to show, that while committees were
theoretically equal the business OF some
committees exceeded that Of others in I'm
portance and II was right that such should
have privileges others did not enjoy, 1t was