Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-12-04
FIFTY-SIXTH CONGRESS-.
w 4shin g;on, Dec. 4.
SENATE.

Washington, Dec. 4.
SENATE.
A. - m., the Senate was called to or
by MIR. Frye, of Maine, president pro-
tempore of that body.
DR.. Milburn, the blind chaplain, in his
prayer alluded to the death OF Vice
President Hobart.
The first business in order was the
presentation of credentials. Tle first
one to create any decided interest was
that of Mr.. Quay, appointed by Govern
or Stone.
Mr.. Cockrell moved the reference OF
Quay's credentials to the elections com
mittee, and his motion was carried.
Mr.. Chandler offered resolution in
favor OF seating Quay and that was re-
ferred.
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas presented the
protest of 70 members of the Pennsyl-
vania legislature protesting seainst the
seating OF Quay. Also referred to the
committee.
The swearing in of senators Tor their
new terms was the next business
They were called alphabetically and
went to the desk in groups of four. MIR
Hanna walked to the desk with Sens-
tor Foraker.
The roll call developed that all of the
senators were present except Butter
Caffery, Deboe, Hayward, Mcbride and
Mallory.
Mr.. Sewell offered resolutions on the
death of Vice-President Hobart and OF
motion of Mr.. Kean as a further mark
of respect to his memory, the Senate al
1890 o'clock adjourned until tomorrow
at II 10.
house.
At noon the members of the Fifty :
sixth Congress in the House were call
ed to order by Clerk Mcdowell. Tnerr
was tremendous crush in the gale
ries and thousands unable to gain al
mittaucs crowded the corridors.
Mr.. Roberts, of Utah, in whom the
chief interest centred, occupied prom
ioent seat on the democratic SIDE.
Flowers adorned the desks of u num-
her of leaders of the House. Caaplsla
Coudeu offered prayer and referred TO
members whose death occurred since
tne last session, and asked that tbs
proceedings OF the House might havt
| divine guidance.
Woen the prayer ended, Clerk Nc
Doweil directed the reading clerk to
Call the roll.
The clerk announced 352 members
crescent.
The clerk announced The first bust
ness to be the election OF a Speaker.
Mr.. Grosvenor proposed Gen. D. B.
Henderson; Mr.. Hay uamed james D.
Richardson Mr. Rldgely proposed J. {.
Bell.
Messrs. Morris, Underwood, Over.
street ard Carmack were appointed
tellers.
o. the call of the House for votes for
Speaker Mr.. Roberts voted for Rich
ardson, the democratic Candidate.
The vote for Speaker resulted as fol-
lows Henderson LIT, Richardson 1913,
Bell 4, Newlands 2.
Henderson was declared elected auc
Richardson, Bell aud Newlands wer,
appointed q committee TO escort him Ia
the floor. The humor of requiring the
defeated candidates to do the honors
was acknowledged by the other mem
bars and spectators with round OF az
plause.
General Henderson was escorted in
to the House at Los p. M.
All the members arose when the
Speaker entered and received him with
round of applause. He was present
ed to the House by MIR. Richardson.
| He acknowledged the reception and
said he had been called to great re-
sponsibility. 1t would be his aim and
nis duty to administer impartially the
laws governing the House.
The oath of office was then admins
tered in accordance with custom by the
oldest member of the House, Alfred C..
Harmer. The other members were
then called by States to take the oath.
They advanced in groups OF score or
more and stood IN semi-circle in front
O.; the Speakers desk with their hands
uplifted while the Speaker read
the obligation. The members sub
scribed to the oath and retired
to their seats. Messrs. Brosus and
Butler were called up separately
They affirmed instead of swearing his
was done by the other members. That
they made affirmation, instead oil
swearing wss due to their connection
with the Quaker faith. Mr.. Roberts,
was called alone. He had not lett his
seat when Mr.. Taylor rose to protest.
He did so he said, on his responsibility,
as member. Tayler charged that
Roberts was convicted in 1889 of
poygamy and had every since been
guilty of that offense.
Mr.. Taylsr in stating his objections
said that Roberts is not citizen of the
United States. He based the charge on
the first Eimunds law, which distran.
chised every man who held the status
of biesmist or polygamist. As Roberts
was guilty OF polygamy, Tayler aver
red, he could neither vote nor bold
Office. Tayler also declared he had
been informed by high authority that
Roberts, who was born in England and
came to the United States as boy, had
never renounced his allegiance TO Queen
Victoria.
McRae, democrat, said if facts charg
ed were true to seat Roberts would BE-
to make an assault on the American
home. He asked for complete inves-
tigation.
Speaker Henderson asked Roberts to