The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-03
OPENING DAY IN THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Richardson Opposes the Adoption of the of
the Last House.
(By the Associated Press.l

Washington, d. c., Dec. 2.--The oren-
ing day of the first session of the 57th
Congress in the House Of Representa-
tives, furnished a spectacle chat delight
ed the crowded galleries. The machinery
of the House is cumbrous and is set in
motion by a laborous process, but the
spectacle today evidently did not con-
slider it tedious as they chung to their
which lasted four and one half hours.
probably half the time being consumed in
the monotonous calling of the roll.
The organization of the House was ac-
complished according to the time hcnorcd
precedents. Speaker Henderson was
sworn in by General Bingham. the
Father of the House." and after Geliv-
ering very graceful speech in recosui
tion of the honor bestowed upon lin he
in turn administed the oath to the men,
bers elect. The rules of the last House
were adopted after a slight jar, aud then
the biennial seat drawing occurred This
latter ceremony was robbed of much of
it's interest today. by the fact that under
the new arrangement of seats there are
more than enough to go round, and those
whose names are drawn last do not
suffer as they did on former occasions.
Just as the hands of the big clock OPP
poste the Speakers chair pointed to
twelve, Mr.. Mcdowell, the clerk of the
House, brought his gavel down. IN
stantly the buzz of conversation ceased,
and in the stiffness that followed the
clerk announced that prayer would be
offered. The members arose and many
~f +In
stood with bowed heads as Rev. Mr..
Couden, the blind chaplain, evoked the
divine blessing. Many heads were furth-
er lowered as the chaplain paid beau
tiful tribute to the late President Nc
Kinley, and prayed that the present
Chief Executive might be spared from
sudden death. BY the direction of the
clerk the roll of the members elect was
called bv States.
There were no demonstrations during
the roll call. When the clerk announced
that 31S members-a quorum--had an
swered to their names, the House pro-
ceeded to the election of Speaker Mr..
Cannon (Ills.) chairman of the Repub-
lican caucus, placed in nomination Gen
eral Henderson, of Iowa. The mention
of Mr. Henderson's name drew a salvo
of applause from the entire Republican
membership.
Mr.. Hayes (Va.) chairman OF the
Democratic caucus, pdesented the name
of Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee. and
the Democrats gave the name of their
leader an enthusiastic reception. gen
eral laugh followed as Mr. Neville tNcb.
placed in nomination Mr.. Stark. of his
own State, who now is the only other
Populist acting Independently
At the conclusion of the roll call the
clerk announced the result of the vote
as follows:
Henderson, 1870.
Richardson, 149.
Stark, !.
Cummings On. ", /.
Mr.. Henderson having been declared
elected, the clerk appointed Messrs.
Richardson, Stark and CUMMINGS a COM
mittee to escort the Speaker to the chair.
General Henderson appeared two miit
utes later on the arm of Mr.. Richardson.
The Speaker was greeted witn great
outburst of applause from both sides OF
the house. He came down the aisle and
ascended the rostrum with the aid of his
cane and stood there for a moment, .ias-