Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-04
SECOND EDITION.
O'CLOCK r. m.
4 O'CLOCK p. M.
GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.
CONGRESS
CONGRESS-.
THE OPENING sCKNKs-INTRRRsTING PRO-
OERDINGS.

THE OPENING sCKNKs-INTRRRsTING PRO-
CEEDINGs.
The Capitol was densely crowded by visi-
tors to-day, for the purpose Of witnessing the
opening scenes Of Congress. Since last session
considerable improvement has been made to
the interior, and the halls begin to assume their
intended appearance. The old railing and
wall which INSTRUCTED the passage from the
rotunda to the Congressional library has been
removed, and a neat white marble railing sub
stituted. In the rotunda, several new paint
ings are displayed, but the ceiling is still I'M
finished, a platform, used by the artists en-
gagged in painting the upper portions of the
arch. obstructing the view into the apex of the
dome. The staircase leading to the top of the
dome is completed, and a number of parties
for the first time, climbed to the lofty height to
obtain view Of the city and its en- yirons The
passage from the eastern portico Of the south
wing TO the Hall Of Representatives is also
finished, adding very much to the beauty
of that portion OF the building. The
old Hall In its new dress presents a very fine
appearance. The floor of marble tile is all laid
down, and several busts of distinguished men
are mounted on pedestals within the high
bronze railing which borders the narrow pas
sage. new carpet, imported from France
has been put down on the floor of the House.
and new furniture has been added to MANY of
the adjacent apartments. With the exception
ct the increased number of desks for members
the Hail presents, however, the same appear
ance as last winter, the carpet being light green
with small orange coloreG stars. No change is
noticeable in the Senate wing.
BY IL o'clock all the corridors surrounding
the Hall Of Representatives were blocked nm
by the throng, hundreds making strenuous eff.
forts to force passage into the reporters GAL
lery, which by great exerton on the part of the
doorkeeper, was preserved exclusively for the
members of the press. The families of r pre-
sentatiyes OF foreign governments filled the
gallery assigned to the diplomatic corps, MANY
being compelled to stand in the aisle and door
way. During the call of the roll by the Clerk
OF the House, the space in rear of the membe
desks was occupied by crowd of visitors,
whom the doorkeepers We're unable to eject
There were quite a number of Southern Re-
representatives. present. most of them taking
seats among the other members.
AS the Clerk was calling the roll of the men,
bers from New York, Mr.. Maynard of Ten.
nessee, rose to speak, but was prevented from
proceeding by the CLERK, who stated that no
conclusion of the call of the roll, MIR. Morrill,
OF Vermont, moved that the House proceed to
the election OF Speaker. Mr.. Maynard again
cries Of order. MIR. Brooks, of New York nro
tested against the refusal to hear Mr.. MAYNARD
and spoke at considerable length, claiming that
If Tennessee was not State Of the Union, and
if Maynard was to be regarded as an alien, the
President Of the United States, citizen of Ten
nessee, was also an alien and an usurper He
also demanded that the members from Vir-
ginia and Louisiana should be admitted, and
denounced the refusal Of the House as des-
potism.
Mr.. Brooks was frequently called to order
during his remarks by MIR. Stevens, Of Penn
sylvania, and others, and finally asked Mr.
Stevens when he proposed to consider the
question. Mr.. Stevens replied that he sspro-
posed to consider it at the proper time" The
response elected considerable applause from
the members and spectators. Mr.. Brooks then
moved as an amendment to the motion for an
election of Speaker that MIR. Maynard be al.
lowed to make his statement. This was loudly
objected to.
After further discussion of a similar nature,
the election of Speaker was ordered Mr. Nor.
rll, of Vermont, nominated Mr.. Colfax, and
Mr.. Winfield, of New York, nominated Mr..
Brooks, Of the same State.