Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
MONDAy. Dec. 5.

Rouse.-Long before tbs hour for the
nesting Of the second session of the 5Oth
congress the galleries of the house were
Hilec with spectators, and the bright dress
es of the ladies formed a brilliant frame
20 TIE picture presented on the floor below.
There hand shaking was INDUCED in and
congratulations on reelection or condol
ences IN defeat were exchanged among
the members, jocose raillery on the part
OF the republicans and patient resigna-
ton o. the part o. the democrats being
everywhere evident. The republicans
members Who are prominently mentioned
IN connection with the speakership of
the SIS congress, came in for an extra
share of fluctuations, it being generally
conceded On the floor that the next house
vii! be republican with from 5 to ma
jority. At precisely II o'clock the fall of
5hs gavel settled the tumult which ex
listed in the hall, and silencs reigned,
while Dr.. Milburn, the chaplain, offered
prayer. The rcll OF members YVES then
called, and the hum of conversation broke
out afresh. During the progress Of the
call Mr.. Cleveland entered the executive
gallery and became an attractive specta
tor. The call developed the presence Of
336 members, there being IS absen6ees.
On motion OF Mr.. Mills (Texas,) a reso-
luton was adopted directing the clerk
to inform the senate thai a quorum Of
the house had appeared, and that the
house was ready TO proceed to business.
IN accordance with the resolution the
speaker appointed Messrs. Holman lind J,
Turner ga, and O'Neill (Pa.) as COM
| mlttee to join similar committee to
wait upon the president and inform him
| that congress was ready TO receive any
communication that he might desire to
| transmit. The house then, at 1880, took
e recess for an hour. After the recess
Mr.. Holman announced that the COM
mittee appointed to wait upon the presi-
dent had performed its duty, and that the
president would communicate with con-
gress forthwith. The presidents annual
message was then read by the clerk. The
| portion of the message IN which the
president treats of the tariff question was
| listened to attentively by the members
on both sides of the house. Now and
| then a smile more of triumph than of
/ derisiOn would appear on the face of an
enthusiastic republican, but the silence
was not broken until the clerk read, "the
cause for which the battle is waged is
comprised within lines clearly and dis
rinctly defined. It should never be
compromised. 1t is the peoples cause"
Then the DEMOCRATS could no longer re-
tain their feelings and broke into round
of applause, which was answered by tho
republicans with derisivs laughter. The
presidents reference to ghe Sackville-
West incident provoked laughter from
the republican side of the house, but no
| demonstration was made by the demo-
Gratis. From this point interest in the
message slaokened. Mr.. Mills was the
only member who paid the slightest as
tention to it's further reading, and the
noise Of conversation was SO g~eat that
this was no easy task. When, ct 3:15 p.
NJ, the reading was completed, Mr.. Mills
offered a resolution, which was agreed to,
referring the message to the committee
OF the whole and providing for its print
ing. Adjourned.