The National tribune., 1903-11-12

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Everybody on Pennsylvania Avenue
knew that Congress was about to convene
from the wagon load after wagon load OF
magnificent flowers which went by toward
the Capitol Monday forenoon. The prin-
cipal florists seemed to have all their de-
livery wagons in action, and besides these
there were messenger boys on bicycles
loaded down with superb bouquets.
Congress really met Saturday in the
caucuses held by the opposing parties.
TIE Democrats held theirs first at z
o'clock in the afternoon, in the hall OF
the House, being in session about an hour:
Representative John Sharp Williams. OF
Mississippi, was nominated by acclama-
ton for Speaker. which, Of course, carries
with it the leadership Of the minority in
the House. There were 125 Democrats
present out of the 17S who are members
Of the House. The caucus was called to
order by Representative James Hay, OF
Virginia, who was elected Chairman, with
Representative Cowherd, Of Missouri, and
Smith, of Kentucky, as Secretaries. Rep
resentative George B. Mcclellan, Mayor
elect Of New York, entered the hall and
was received with such enthusiasm as to
interrupt the proceedings of the caucus
Sor some time, while the members crowd
congratulations. The Chairman finally
appointed Mr.. Mcclellan one of the COM
mittee to escort Mr.. Williams to the hall,
where he was received with loud ap-
plause. In his speech he called upon the
members to present solid front to the
Republicans, and watch every act care
fully and continuously. The Democrats
had heretofore been ihattentive to commit
tee work, and had consequently suffered
great disadvantages on the floor. A reso-
luton was passed to increase the Demo
cratic membership of each of the COM
mittees by one. The rest of the meeting
was purely formal. being the nominations
for subordinate offices which were wholly
complimentary, as none of them has the
slightest hope of being elected. They
were as follows: Charles A. Edwards, Of
Texas, was nominated for Clerk; Tx
Representative e. V. Brookshire, of In
diana, for Sergeant-at-Arms; A. J. Julian,
of Georgia, for Doorkeeper; e. x. Jack
son, of Alabama, for Postmaster, and
Rev. e. G. Bagby, Of Virginia, for Chap
lain.
The Republican caucus was held in the
afternoon at the same place with $50
members of the House present. Repre-
sentative "Pete" Hepburn, of Iowa, was
elected Chairman, thereby succeeding Mr..
Cannon, who has heretofore been the Re-
b publican Caucus Chairman. There was
q deep intent in this, for those who
wanted to reenact the rules of the past
Congress remembered Hepburn's bitter
opposition to them, and expected by elect
ing him Chairman to side-track his op-
position. They were disappointed in this.
since he laid down the gavel long enough
to make q vigorous speech against the
adoption Of the rules, which, however,
were adopted by strong majority. Rep
resentative H. @. Loudenslager, Of New
Jersey, was elected Secretary, and then
Representative Dalzell, of Pennsylvania,
nominated J. G.. Cannon for Speaker in
q brief Little speech eulogizing his candi-
dates long, brilliant service in the House.
Representative Sherman, of New York,
unanimously carried, and committee was
sent out to bring the lucky man in.
"Boys, he said, his face beaming with
good humor, when at last they had sub
sided sufficiently for him to be heard,
this Is indeed a surprise" The fun Of
this appealed strongly to the members, and
the chamber rang for a few seconds with
restored and Uncle Joe" proceeded with
his speech. He said that this was the
. highest honor that could be conferred
.np0n him, and filed the measure OF his
ambition. He said that his idea Of the
policy Of Congress should be to enact
proper legislation for reciprocity with
Cubs; to make generous, not extravagant
appropriations at the regular session, and
then to adjourn and return home. If
Congress did this the people would appre-
ciate it, and they would have their re-
ward.
The denominations Of the other officers
Of the House speedily followed, there be-
ing no opposition. These are Alexander
hcnnroff of ponpSv-Jvan;o GIarl,. Hanrv
Casson, of Wisconsin, Sergeant-at-Arms;
Frank B. Lyon, of New York. Door
keeper; Joseph G. McElroy, Of Ohio. Post
master, and Rev. Henry n. Couden, Of
Michigan, Chaplain.
Ex-senator George W. Turner, OF
Washington, a member of the Alaskan
Boundary Commission, came to Washing.
ton City to pay his respects to the Presi-
dent before returning to his home in the
Northwest. He says that the verdict was
perfectly just and honorable, giving both
countries their rights. 1t is not true, as
the Canadian press says. that the part re.
promise. 1t was result obtained by
strictly judicial processes, and the decision
well founded in law.
Ex-senator Marion Butler. OF North
Carolina, Chairman Of the Populist Ma
tional Committee, was in the city last
week, and states that there was nothing
In the recent election upon which to base
an opinion as to next year. 1t was an oh
year, when everybody voted under the In.
fiuence Of personal or local interests. II
does not make Senator German the Presi.
Dental candidate of the Democratic party
Mr.. German 10 handicapped by the State
from which he comes.
The report Of Rear-Admiral O'Neil
Chief Of the Bureau of Ordnance, says
that the gun factory at Washington has
been running to its fullest capacity
through the year, two and three shifts OF
men being employed. The average mum
Der OF employees being 2,440.
One hundred and fifty new guns have
been completed at the factory during the
past year, as follows: One 13-inch, IL
Pinch, two eight-inch. so six-inch, three
fve-inch, SO four-inch, 20 six-pounders and
86 three-inch landing guns. There are 6S1
guns in process Of manufacture at the fac
tory, comprising IL Pinch, q eight-inch,
SO six-inch, 60 three-inch, 30 six-pounders
$50 three-pounders and 3jO one-pounders
Eleven six-inch breechloading rifles have
been converted into rapid-hring guns. Tht
total number of mounts manufactured a
the factory during the year was 360 ant
1856 are in process of manufacture.
great amount of miscellaneous work ha!
been performed at the factory, such a,
the manufacture of new sight mountings
firing locks, powder tanks, gun imple
ments, turret fittings, fuses, etc.
The result of this has been that tn