New-York tribune., 1869-03-01

ND their station at the door leading to the public
tribunes or galleries in the hope of securing good
places The majority were doomed to disappont-
ment. These galleries cannot contain more than 500
persons seated but the authorities to have been
bent upon trying the experiment of packing into
them at least four times that number, for more
than 1000 privileged admissions were issued.
The ceremonial was to commence at Q o'clock,
but by II in the forenoon every gallery already
fully occupied except that set apart for the Embas
sadoTs of Foreign Powers. The very worst possible
were made. Either no cards-save to
the Press-shOuld have been given, or measures
should have been taken to prevent the crowd from
forcing its way in when the galleries were known to
be full But nothing of the sort was attempted, and
as the officials were incompetent, unassisted by
police military to keep back the multitude clamor-
ing for admission, tho rush and pressure became ter
rife when the doors were foolishly opened. At one
moment some serious accident seemed imminent
Fortunately nothing but great personal neon
venencc was the result, tO those who Ike HyseH,
were compelled for three hours and baii 10 play
the part of Atlas 10 a whole world Of politically
excited Spaniards whom no amount of eoqnenoe NO
physical effort. no vocabulary of strong words could
dislolge The Congress hall is handsome interior.
profusey decorated with frescoes from the pencils of
Madrazo Rivera Camaron, and Espaltar, the best of
modern Spanish painters in this style of art IL rs OF
the shape of wide horseshoe, and is well lighted
and ventilated from above The Presidents table
oeclpies what may be called the open end of the
bors,-shoe From his chair the emblems of royalty
had bcrn removed as also from the maces and other
insignia ofauthority. crucifX in ebony and silver
occupied prominent place on the table. at each end
which stood silver salvers, with glass decanters gOb-
lets. ard a supply of the compound of sugar aud
white OF egg known under the name of 'azucarllos
I'm the horseshoe itself arc the members seats some
SO or $50 ~ all On the present occasion consider
able number were invaded by ladies' and gentle
men who must be presumed TO have been personal
friends bat whose presence there certainly seemed
incongruous, and condemned the Legitimate owners
10 stand anywhere on the floor of the House where
few inches space could be secured, aud the Minis
fers when they made their entry, to very undigni-
fed contrivances for accomplishing that operation
the aIt derived from the mace
bearers. Among the Deputies who were first in at-
tendance. came OrenSe aud Castelar, and Gen. Bias
Pierrad all Republicans They were loudly cheered,
in spite of the regulation prohibiting demonstrations
from the galleries At Il o'clock the representatives
of the Foreign Powers mustered in force in the En-
bassadors Tribune all except own being IN full
ceremonial Fcostume. The ladies occupied front
seats aud were not the least interested
spectators especially the C2gntesses Prim aud
Serrano, when little later in the day
the incident occurred to which reference will be
presently made, and which caused the iirst-named
lady to c,nc and shake very pretty little fist with
unus lallv lady.like vehemence. At o'clock four
ronfoUs persounges haDited in costumes partaklpg
of that of the old English bCef-eaters, and OF the
hcralds II ancient tournaments and each bearing n
pondtrous mace, opened Way through the crowd of
deputies blocking up the doorway, and followed by
Senor Santa Cruz aud the mesa or committee, in
Quoted the latter into their seats at the table SeNor
Santa Cruz rang bell, and silence being obtained,
announced that as the oldest member he took the
chair in accordance with the regulation of 1871 on
the subject Of the dd interim angements to govern
the proceedings Of Congress- until it shOud be for
naliy constituted; the Yice-Chaiman and Secrcta-
ries being also selected undor the same regulation.
lie then called ont the names of the members who
had been chosen by lot, TO act as a depu-
tatIOn 10 invite the Ministers 10 attend and TO which
those of Cashlar, Yallin, and Madrazo had been
added The depuiaton sailed forth THEN errand.
and in the course Of very long half hour returned
with the Ministers, who were conducted TO the oli-
cia bench. at u right angle with the Presidents
table Ssnor Santa Cruz having invited statement
from the Provisional Government, Marshal Serrano-
with PIim and ropete, IN full uniform
and wore the orders they had received at the hands
of the ex-Queen. their late soyeTcign-precedcd by
the mace bearers advanced 10 the front Of the table
supported by these officials, one on each side, and
read the ministerial statement. The teXt-ccrtainly
lis purpOrt-win have been Published long before
this letter can reach yOn. IL is a windy. wordy
document, defending in very general terms
he policy OF the Provisional Government
errors committed, soliciting Ia
lulgence for short -cOmings, and throwing
,pon the COrtes the responsibility Oi deal
nv defnively with the great questions Of the day.
hc section relating TO the colonial possessions refers
n equally general terms 10 reforms now become in
spensabe aud 10 the emancipation Of the slaves in
uch way as shall not violently interfere with
,ested rights nor throw back cultivation. The
resident Of the Council read this state paper la The
most monOtonOus least convinced Of tones, rapidly
90. AS a notary's clerk going through tho copy OF
eed for errors Only twice did q slender ten mHy
len indicate interest the part of the auditory
nd when lie came TO a close the few cheers which
anted HIM seemed rather 10 DC the expression OF an
xubeIance of relief that this part OF the ceremony
ad come 20 an end, than tribute To the contents oi
be document. The remark may here be made that
applause greeted the Ministry on their entry ana
hat the Republican members kept their seats, there
eing nevertheless, that the representatives oi INC
government shall be received by the Deputies stand
NJ. Marshal Serrauo having been duly reeonductcd
D bis place by the mace-bearer, Senor Santa Cruz
lng his bell, and in loud voice said; In the name
( the nation, l declare legally opened the Cortes
of 1869. Pira the natiohai "Ner
igntyp This cry was instantly ana Unanimously
esponded TO- the visitors in the gaIIerieS-oSpec'aS
hose who did me the favor to occupy my shoulders
akng not the least enthusiastic part oe''ooy'
oweycr had silence been restored. than three or
- -. aon1nh I'm the body Of the haI,