The San Francisco call., 1901-12-03
OPENING SCENES IN THE HOUSE
FURNISH A GREAT SPECTACLE
Amid Beautiful Floral Tributes the Representatives.
Organize by the Election of Officers.

floor as usual, renewing old acquaint-
ances. The unwonted spectacle of a
member of the Supreme Court in the hall
was also wltnessed-Justice McKenna,
himself an old member of the House.
House Called to Order.
At I1:3o o'clock one of the assistant
doorkeepers, standing at the clerks desk,
warned those on the floor that those not
entitled to be there must retire. Wilcox,
the swarthy Delegate from Hawaii, and
Degetau, the Delegate from Porto Rico
attracted attention as they moved through
the throng on the floor. Every chair ex-
cept those in the diplomatic and execu-
tive galleries was occupied when, at Il
o'clock, Mcdowell, clerk of the House,
brought his gavel down. The buzz Of con-
versation ceased and the clerk announced
that prayer would be offered. The mem
bers and many Of the spectators arose
and stood with bowed heads as the Rev.
Couden, the blind chaplain, invoked the
divine blessing. He referred feelingly to
the death cf President Mckinley.
The roll of members-elect was then
called by States, amid an ever-increasing
uproar of voices as conversation became
general throughout the hall. When the
clerk announced that 31s members-a quo
rUm-had answered to their names, Lacy
of Iowa moved that the House proceed by
viva voce vote to the election Of a Speak
er. The motion being carried, Cannon Of
Illinois, chairman of the Republican eau
Gus, placed in nomination General Hen
derson of Iowa, amid a salvo of applause
frcm the entire Republican membership.
Henderson Chosen Speaker.
Hay Of Virginia, chairman Of the Demo-
cratic caucus, amid loud Democratic ap-
plause, presented the name Of Richard
son Of Tennessee. A general laugh fol-
lowed as Neville of Nebraska placed in
nomination Stark Of his own State, who
is now the only other Populist acting in
dependently. Rumple (R.) of Iowa, Nc
CleIlan CD of New York, Bates (R.) OF
Pennsylvania and Maddox (D.) of Geor-
gia were appointed tellers. The result
was: Henderson, 100; Richardson, 14si
Stark. l: Cumnins of New York. 1.
Richardson, Stark and Cummins were
appointed a committee to escort the
Speaker to the chair. AS General Hen
derson appeared two minutes later on the
arm of Richardson, the Speaker was
greeted with a great outburst of applause
from both sides of the House. Richard.
son introduced him in half dozen words
The Speaker spoke briefly:
Gentlemen of the House of Represen-
tatives: This high honor that you have
conferred upon me 1 profoundly appreci.
ate. All the more do appreciate it, com
ing as it does with this generous express
sion from both sides of the chamber
There is left another method for a pre-
siding officer to express his appreciation
of such an honor-that is by a kindly
firm and faithful administration of the
law and the rules that govern this body
1t will be my aim to discharge impair
TALLY the duties Of this Office. AS said
at the opening Of the last Congress, nc
presiding officer can successfully admin
lister the duties of his Office unless he has
the support Of the body over which he
presides. asked for 1t then; you gave
it to me throughout the entire Congress-
Permit me once more to invoke that pa