The Atlanta constitution., 1901-12-09
SHARP FIGHT IN THE
HOUSE IN REGARD
TO RULES.
Democrats Sought To Amend, but
the Republicans Were Unwill-
ing-The Democrats Are
Twitted in Regard to
Tariff Reform.

day of the first session e the hsty-s"venth
congress. the house of representatives
furnished a spectacle that delighted the
crowded galleries. The machinery Of the
house Is cumbrous and IS set n motion
by a laborious process. out the specta-
tors today evidently did not consider !.
tedious. as they clung to their places
through the entire proceeding. which last
cd four and one-half hours. probably half
the time being consumed in the monoto-
nous calling Of the roll.
The Organization Of the house was ac-
complishcd according to the time-honore1
precedents. Speaker Henderson was
sworn IN by General Bingham ''the faith
or of the house." and after delivering a
very graceful speech IN recognition of the
honor bestowed upon him. he in turn ad
ministcrcd the oath To- the members
elect.
Tho rules Of the last house were adopt
Ell after slight jar. and then the bien-
nial seat drawing occurred This latter
ceremony WAS robbed OF much OF its in
terest today 10y the fact that under the
rev arrangcmcut of seats there are more
than enough to 80 around and thos,
whose names re drawn last DO not SUI.
fer as they did on former occasions.
Gavel of Clerk Falls.
Just as the hands Of the big clock oppo-
site tho speakers chair pointed To T. Mr.
Mcdowell, the clerk OF the house. brought
mis- gavel down. Instantly the buzz Of
conversation ceased and I'm the stiffness
that followed the clerk announced that
prayer would be offered. The members
arose and many Of the spectators in the
gallery also stood with bowed heads as
Key. Mr. Couden, tbe b,ind chaplain,
evoked divine blessing. Many heads
were lowered 1S tho chaplain paid bcati-
tiful tribute 10 the late President NIcEin-
lay end prayed that the present chief
executive MIGHT %" spared from sudden
death. by the direction of tine clerk the
fou - mcmbers-elect was called 10y states.
There were no demonstrations during
The roll call When the clerk announced
that 3lN nImhers-a quorum-had am
swered to thcir names tho house proceed
cd 10 the election of speaker. Mr.. cam
non. of Illinois. chairman Of the republic
can caucus. placed iu nomination Cen
cral Henderson. of Iowa. The mention
% Mr.. Heudcrsons name drew a salvo
of applause from the entire republican
membership.
Mr. Hay. of Virginia. chairman. OF the
democratic caucus. presented the name
of Mr.. Richardson. of Tennessee. aUd the
q, muyrgtS gave the name of their leader
an enthusiastic reception. \ general laugh
followed a- Mr.. Ncyin Of Nebraska,
placed in nomination Mr.. stark, of his
own state. who now IS the only other
plpuli~l 1rtiIE Independently.
At the conclusion of tho roll call the
clerk announced tho result Of the vote
as follows:
Henderson. 100: Richardson. 80: Stark
j. Cummings. New York Z. Mr.. Hondcr-
son having been declared elected, the
clerk appointed Mcssrs Richardson.
stark and CUMMINGS committee To es-
a.. T. f4a Obj.
Henderson Takes Chair.
General Henderson appeared two min
utes later on the arm Of Mr.. Richardson.
The speaker was greeted with "a great ont
burst Of applause from both sides of the
house He came down tho aisle and as
cended the rQstrum with the aid II his
cane and stood there for moment fac-
ing a storm of applause Mr. Richardson
then introduced him in half dozen
words. The speaker addressed the house
hriea~. saving
Gentlemen OF tho House ~ Representa-
tites: This high honor which Won have
conferred upon me ! profoundly aprcci-
a;e. All the more Do ] appreciate II,
coming as 10 does with this generous OK
rressiou from both sides of the chamber.
There Is yct left another method for
presiding officer TO express his apprccia-
tiou of such an honor; that is hY kind
tho law and the rules that govern this
body. Tt will Doe my aim so discharge i'm
partially the duties of this Office As I
said M the opening Of the last congress,
no presiding officer can successfully ad-
minister the duties of his office unless
ne has the support Of tho body over which
no nroSidcs. I asked for il then; you
gave II % me throughout the entire con-
rrees Permit me once more TO invoke
mat patience. kind consideration ana
srIendld support which was accorded 10
me In the last congress.
..The maker of laws should not be
breaker of laws. We proceed under law
and rules. and the duties devolving
l+,ou each and all Of the membership
of mis- house will be far better conserved
II this principle is kept in mind and
acted upon
After oaths had been administered.
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois. presented n res
olufion for the elect on OF the following
officers Of the house:
Alexander Mcdowell, Of Pennsylvania.
clerk: Henry Casson. of Wisconsin, ser
reant at arms: William j. Glenn. of
New York. doorkeeper; Joseph c. McEi-
Tov. Of Ohio. postmaster. and III. y.
Couden Of Michigan, chaplain.
Mr.. Hay. of Virginia, on behalf of
the minority. presented a substitute res
olution containing the names of the
cand dates selected by the democratic
caucus last Saturday. The minority res
olution was voted down and Mr.. Can
mons resolution was adopted without d-
vision.
Clash Over the Rules.
The usual formal resolutions t. notify
the president and the senate OF the or
ganiyation Of the house were adopted.
Mr. Dalzell then offered the resolution
agreed TO by the republican caucus on
SATURDAY for the adoption of the rules
Of the last house with certain specified
amendments as the rules of the present
house.
This drew the first fire from the other
side Mr. Dalzell was proceeding To eX-
plain the nature of these amendments
when Mr. Richardson Interrupted TO ask
whether opportunity was to be given
to offer amendments. and receiving