FIFTY-SIXTH CONGRESS CONVENES, SCIENCE CLUB, AND DOLL MANUFACTORY IN CINCINNATUS, N. Y.

 

David B. Henderson.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, December 4, 1899.

CONGRESS CONVENES.

Mr. Henderson Elected Speaker of the House.

RICHARDSON MINORITY LEADER.

Momentous Questions Will Be Handled by the Fifty-Sixth Congress, Among the Most Important Being Our New Dependencies and Financial Status.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.—The opening session of the Fifty-sixth congress today was a spectacular occasion, animated and brilliant. There were the usual number of distinguished personages in the thronged galleries, in both the senate and house, including many representatives of foreign governments, high officials and ladies and gentlemen conspicuous in social and political life.

   Even the private galleries were crowded an hour before the convening and they contained many distinguished people. The dainty creation of the milliner's art and brilliantly superb gowns gave color to the picture.

   In the house of representatives the sea of desks within the brass rails, which cut off the lobbies, were a veritable flower garden, and many desks in the senate were likewise graced with fine bouquets of flowers.

   Many of the members received quite liberal applause as they appeared on the floor of the house. Especially notable was that of Speaker-elect Henderson, who divided the honors with Mr. Richardson of Tennessee, leader of the Democratic minority.

   A wave of applause from the Democratic side and galleries greeted Mr. Bailey and Mr. Sulzer as they made their appearance on the floor. Other well known members received tokens of appreciation from the crowded galleries as they appeared at their desks.

   Shortly after 12 o'clock the clerk of the house ascended to the speaker's chair and rapped for order and the swearing in of the members proceeded rapidly.

   David B. Henderson of Iowa was elected by the Republican majority to succeed Mr. Reed as speaker of the house of representatives.

   The following officers were also elected by the majority: Alexander McDowell of Pennsylvania, clerk; W. J. Glenn of New York, doorkeeper; Henry Casson of Wisconsin, sergeant-at-arms; J. C. McElroy of Ohio, postmaster, and Rev. H. N. Cowden of Michigan, chaplain.

   The Democratic minority elected Mr. Richardson of Tennessee as their leader.

   The following Democrats were elected to fill the four special positions allotted the minority party in the house: Special employe [sic], Colonel Isaac R. Hill, Ohio; special messengers, Ewing T. Bland, Missouri, a son of the late Representative Bland of Missouri, and Felton B. Knight, Georgia; special page, James English, California.

   After the necessary routine business in connection with the organization had been completed the house adjourned until tomorrow out of respect for the memory of the late Vice President Hobart. The president will transmit his message to congress tomorrow, when it will be read in both houses.

   The senate was called to order by Senator Frye of Maine, who will act as presiding officer of that body.

   After some remarks on the death of the late presiding officer and the swearing of several senators-elect, and the necessary business in connection with organization had been accomplished, the senate adjourned out of respect to the memory of the late vice president of the United States.

 

Proper For Congress to Investigate.

   SALT LAKE, Utah, Dec. 4.—A long session of the executive committee of the Democratic state committee resulted in the defeat of a prepared resolution declaring that the committee had not repudiated Roberts, that he was not nominated for election by Mormon church influence and indorsing [sic] the statements of Senator Rawlins, together with his proposed resolution for the senate. Every "Gentile" present opposed the resolution. Some members declared that it was proper for congress to investigate the charges that one of its members was living in polygamy.

 

Senator William F. Frye.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Meeting of Congress.

   The Fifty-sixth congress opened today for its first and long session. The Senate will miss its president, but will have for presiding officer one who has served acceptably as president pro tempore—Senator Frye. In other respects its official organization will be as heretofore. The committees will undergo changes incident to the considerable change of membership.

   The house will have a new speaker—General Henderson whose succession, conceded for months past, was assured Saturday night by the caucus action of the majority. The other principal officers were renominated by the caucus, save that for sergeant-at-arms H. A. Casson of Wisconsin succeeds B. F. Russell.

   Slight opposition was manifested in the Republican caucus to the adoption of the rules of the last house, known as the Reed rules, and it disappeared so that the code was adopted without dissent. The house, therefore, meets with easy organization in view and assurance of its ability to do business.

   The Democrats of the house in caucus named James D. Richardson of Tennessee as their candidate for speaker, a distinction which constitutes him the leader of the minority. There were four candidates for the honor—Mr. Sulzer of New York being fourth in the balloting.

   There was little on the program to be done to-day in either house except to organize and formally honor the memory of the late Vice-President Hobart. The president's message will not be sent in till-to-morrow.

 

NICARAGUA CANAL.

Little Prospect That Congress Will Act at This Session.

   NEW YORK, Dec. 4.—No action in the matter of pledging of governmental aid for the construction of the Nicaraguan canal will be taken by congress during the coming session, avers The Herald's Washington correspondent. It is proposed by Representative Hepburn, prospective chairman of the committee on interstate and foreign commerce, to introduce his bill for the construction of the canal, but he admits that the opponents of the measure as well as the disinclination of certain members favorable to the canal to act before the submission of the report of the Isthmian canal commission a year hence will prevent its passage.

 

Police Court.

   Ward A. Grady appeared before [Cortland] Justice Davis this morning charged with public intoxication. Grady was gathered in Saturday night by Deputy Sheriff John Miller, and this morning, received suspended sentence during good behavior.

 

Grover Relief Corps.

   The regular meeting of Grover Relief corps, No. 96, will occur to-morrow (Tuesday), Dec. 5, at 2:30 P. M. The annual election of officers for the ensuing year will take place. All who wish to contribute canned fruit or jelly for the W. R. C. Home at Oxford will please bring the same to this meeting.

 

Before the Science Club.

   Dr. F. J. Cheney addressed the Science club Saturday night upon "Psychological Phenomena." The talk had largely to do with the anatomy and physiological functions of the brain and the spinal cord. It was chiefly physiological psychology. The address was illustrated with charts and manikins and proved very interesting as well as instructive to all.

   The next meeting of the club will be on Dec. 16, when Mr. John W. Orr will speak on electricity.

 

DOLL MANUFACTORY.

Carried on by Mrs. W. C. Meacham at Cincinnatus.

   Mrs. W. C. Meacham, who resides on West-st., Cincinnatus, N. Y., is rapidly becoming famous as a doll manufacturer. And especially at this season of the year this lady is overtaxed with orders received from merchants in Cortland, Syracuse, New York and other large cities. Mrs. Meacham recently showed a STANDARD man several large dolls just completed to fill a special Holiday order. And they certainly were remarkably fine dolls, both in size and the artistic manner in which the features were painted and decorated.

   Mrs. Meacham has given almost her entire time, and attention to the manufacture of doll babies for several years past, and there is an increasing demand for the articles manufactured in her line. She is a lady over 60 years of age and she takes great pride in her work which is viewed with much curiosity by a host of people who frequently call upon her to see it.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Dr. Reese will not be in his office tomorrow afternoon.

   —The Normal school reopened this afternoon after the Thanksgiving recess.

   —The Post-Standard reports that up to last Saturday 850,000 copies of "David Harum" had been sold.

   —L. N. Hopkins is putting a third boiler under his greenhouse on North Main-st. to furnish heat for his plants.

   —At the regular meeting of Grover post, No. 98, G. A. R., to-night the annual election of officers will take place.

   —Wednesday evening will be ladies' night at the Tioughnioga club. A fine musical program is being prepared for the occasion.

   —A rehearsal of the opera "Chimes of Normandy" will be held at the Conservatory of Music to-night at 8 o'clock. All members of the chorus are requested to be present.

   —Onondaga county is agitating the question of a new courthouse. A special committee of the board of supervisors is expected to report soon in favor of a new building.

   —Mr. Wm. Ryder of Lincoln-ave. had the middle finger of his right hand taken off just below the first joint and two other fingers clipped by a buzz planer just before noon Saturday. Dr. Sornberger dressed the wounds.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Burgess, Clothing, page 7; Bingham & Miller, Clothing, page 8; F. E. Brogden, Cough Cordial, page 7; Palace Confectionery Co., Candy, page 5; F, D. Smith, Bissell Carpet Sweepers, page 6.