The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-12-17
THE NATIONAL SOLONS.
ASSEMBLING OF THE SECOND SESSION
OF THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS.

Tho Presidents Message Read to Both
Houses-New Members Sworn in-Ths
Report Of Treasurer Jordan-The Pub
lie Observation-Disclosures Notes from
the National Capital.
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. 6-The scenes
usually incident to the assembling of congress
at the beginning of a session were early in
augurated at the capitol Monday morning.
BY 10 O'Clock people began to flock into the
galleries Of the house, the favorite resort
whenever there are general and uniform
proceedings Of interest In congress. At II
o'clock the galleries were half full, and as the
intervening hour to the opening wore away,
they were filled to overlooking. Members
focked into the hall Of the house of represen-
tatives very slowly and stood around with
their arms akimbo, explaining to friends and
correspondents, how they ''made it" or ''got
left" in the recent campaign, and election.
The stories were interesting and sometimes
thrilling, as the narratives branched off into
"boodle," violence and romance. But good
humor abounded. Those who were defeated
for reelection declared that they were glad
to retire from public life, and those reelected
were thanking friends for congratulations.
The senate chamber presented a sombre
appearance with its heavy crepe drapery
about the gallery ratings In memory of the
late Senator Pike and OK President Arthur.
A much smaller crowd Of visitors fingered
here than in the house, where the bluster
and amusement occurred.
One committee was In session Monday
morning besides the house committee on ap.
preparation, and that was the joint confer
ence on the Interstate commerce bill. The
conferees hope to get their bill ready to re-
port by the middle of the week. They ad.
journed at II 30 o'clock to Wednesday morn.
ing, when the only point Of importance not
determined will be settled-that of court
jurisdiction. If 1t Is ascertained that suits
against interstate roads can be brought In
state courts they will be given jurisdiction.
Otherwise only federal courts will have
jurisdiction.
Senator John Sherman, Of Ohio, called
the senate to order at noon and Rev.
J. j. Butler delivered the prayer. Annual
reports of departments were laid before the
senate Committees were appointed to notify
the house that the senate was in session and
to wait upon the president. Messrs Edmunds
and Salisbury were designated to perform
this duty. Senator Williams credentials
were presented by his colleague, Senator
Stanford, and he was sworn In. Some bills
and petitions were introduced to forfeit land
grants, to authorize bridges across the Mis-.
souri, and East rivers, etc. Recess was then
taken until 2 o'clock, when the message was
received and its reading begun.
The reading Of the message was finished at
1925, when it and accompanying documents
were ordered printed. Hoar said that the
senate Pacific railroad funding bill had been
set down as a special order for Tuesday, and
asked that its consideration be deferred, in
the hope that the house would in the mean
time take some action that would relieve the
senate Of trouble in regard to it. Blair an
nounced the death Of his late colleague, Mr..
Pike, and on his motion the senate, as 9
mark Of respect to his memory, at 3:25 p. m
adjourned.
The speaker called the house to order al
noon and Chaplain Milburn delivered the
prayer. The roll was called and 241 mem
bers responded. The senate was informed
TINT the house was ready for business
Messrs Reagan, Breckenridge of Kentucky
and Reed, were designated committee to
notify the president that the house awaited
his pleasure Messrs. s. S. Cox and Henry
Bacon Of New York, and Henry w. Rush OF
Maryland, were sworn in as members. The
house took a recess until 2 o'clock when the
message was received and read.