The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1905-02-16
CONGRESS COUNTS VOTES
Declares Roosevelt and Fairbanks to
Be Officially Elected.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CEREMONY

Much HilarIty Among Senators and Rep
r~esentatives During tho Reading of
the Credentlals-Both House and Sem
ate Meet JotntIy-Mrs. Roosevelt, Son
and Daughter Present.
Washington, d. C.-Assembled in,
Joint convention, the two Houses of
Congress observed the last formaIity
required to assur the election of Theo-
dore Roosevelt to the Presidency and
Charles Warren Fairbanks to the Vice
Presidency. They ~canvassed the votes
cast by the so-called electoral colleges.
That is, a committee of Senators and
Representatives solemnly read the off,
cial documents declaring the facts
known on the evening Of Election Day.
The ceremony was begun at 1 o'clock
in the afternoon, Senator Frye, in ac-
cordance with the terms of the statute,
occupying the chair. with Speaker Can.
non on his left. He announced that
unless there was objection the reading
OF the formal parts of the credentials
would be omitted. There was none.
IF there is no objection" said Mr..
Frye, "the chair will now open the
credentials from the State of Alabama,
and the tellers will count and make a
list Of the votes from that State"
There was no objection, but Mr.. Frye
had forgotten to the tellers.
An awkward pause occurred at hat
point and continued until Mr.. Frye
ord QVn6 thn fnl1nrC fn nnr1n fnpUor6
His admonition brought Senators Bur-
rows, of Michigan, and Bailey, of
Texas. and Representatives Gaines. Of
West Virginia, and Russell, of Texas,
to the clerks desk.
Cries of Louder" greeted the effort
of Senator Burrows to that
''the credentials of the State of Ala
appear to be regular in form and
duly authenticated" When Senator
Bailey. in n rich, clear and sonorous
voice announced the vote of Arkansas
there was a scattering round of ap-
plauSe.
At the announcement that Maryland
cast n vote for Roosevelt there was
spirited applause. hut there was q
greater volume OF hilarity when it was
proclaimed that, the State cast seven
votes for Parker and Davis.
A prolonged demonstration occurred
the vote of Missouri was read
and recorded. The reading fell to the
lot of Representative Gaines. AS soon
he announced that the State voted
for Roosevelt. the Republican Repre-
applauded with great vigor.
The Senator's sitting to the right of the
presiding officer, as required by law, |
looked on with Amusement written on
their faces. Representative Louden-
pounded the desk in front Of
him so as to make 81 din that could be
heard above a cackling laugh coming
from the vicinity of Representative J.
Bade.
The demonstration was renewed
when the votes for Fairbanks were
proclaimed. By this time the manifes-
ration had become so boiSterous that
Roosevelt. Jr.. sitting with his
and aunt. Mrs. w. S. Cowles.
and sister. Miss Alice. jim the first row
IF the Executive gallery, permitted
the luxury of n smile that by
easy stages in q very short time over
spread his entire face. Before that
time he had been the most solemn
person I'm the crowded galleries.
At 1.45 p. H.. forty-five minutes after
The convention was called to order,
the canvass was finished. Then Mr..
Frye said: 1.-THE credentials of all
the States have been read, The tellers
will now make final ascertainment of
the result and report the same. to the
president pro tempore Of the Senate.
Five minutes later Senator Burrows
reported to President pro tempore
FRYE that of the 476 votes cast Roose-
velt and Fairbanks had each received
336 votes and Parker and Davis 14O
Then the presiding officer. after re-
the report made by the t~ellers,
said:
"This announcement by the Presi-
dent of the Senate shall be deemed q
sufficient declaration of the persons
President and Vice-President
Of the United States, each for the term
beginning March 4. 1905, and shall be
together with lists of the votes
on the journals of the Senate and
of Representatives. Gentle
men, the purpose for which this joint
convention has been called having been
accomplished, the presiding officer dis
solves the joint convention. Senators
will return to their chamber"
The Senators withdrew, and the
House and galleries were speedily
emptied.