The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-06
Senator Voorhees, Not Forgotten in the Dis
position of Floral Tributes-A Great Deal
of Hilarity in the Lower House.
FLOWERS FOR SENATORS.
Tho Desk OF Almost Every Member Covered
with Posies-The Galleries Crowded.

The scenes In the Senate chamber were
much the same as those usually presented
upon such occasions. only to-day there was
an unusual floral display. even for the first
day of session. Many people of various
conditions were early on their way to the
Capitol to make sure that seats might be
had in the galleries. As usual upon such
occasions these galleries were crowded
to the doors with the wives, daughters and
sons of Senator'S Reprcser tatives and their
friends, as well az many officials of tho
government and vast number of other
persons not so prominent but equally as
anxious to be present when the gavel fell.
sending the Senate of the Fifty-second
Congress on lite last three months course
Many persons who could not gain admis-
sion in the galleries either sought the
House side of the Capitol in quest of better
luck or else craned their necks over those
crowding the doors in front of them to
catch glimpse of the distinguished and
serious-l looking assent blaRe below. In the
private gallery reserved for the families of
Senators were the wives and daughters of
Senators of all parties. and In the seats re-
served for the Presidents family sat Mrs.
Wilmerding, Secretary Tracy's daughter;
Miss Hunt, OF Washington, and some of the
members of the Nice-presidents family.
Neither Mrs. Morton nor any one from the
White House was present. In the diplO-
matic gallery only q few persons were pres
ent and those were principally secretaries
rived in numbers early, and soon every one
seemed to be congratulating every other
person. The Democrats were congratulate
ed on their recent victory and the Repub-
hcans were told that their chance might
come again In few years. All seemed
glad to meet again, and those who have
been invalids seemed to come in for large
sized share of good wishes. Looking down
from the gallery the Senate chamber
every desk was a floral Offering Of beauti-
full roses of all colors. pinks. chrysanthe-
NUNS and bits of ferns and other delicate
green. On the Independents desk was o
rich mound of small roses of all varieties
fern. sent from tho botanical gar
dens. This is custom that has
been followed for many years in
the Senate and every presiding officer of
offering of flowers of some such tasteful
arrangement as those sent to MIR. Morton
to-day. Mr.. Walcott was particularly for
runate. and on the lid of his desk was Q
towering basket of American beauties and
three large bouquets of red and pink roses
Senator Germans desk was hidden by
large basket of pure white roses and smi-
lax cent by the Maryland Democratic Club,
and on Senator Gibson's desk as q similar
basket. Some admirer from Indiana sent
Senator Voorhees, large bouquet with q
card bearing the information that che State
had given the largest plurality for the
presidential candidate since Grants first
term, and congratulating the Senator on
the result On the desks of many Of the
Senators were beautiful flowers.
ANn IA ARRITY ON THE FTOnR
There were fewer distinguished persons
on the floor, aside from the Senators, than
on previous occasions at the beginning of
Congress. Hon. Patrick Egan, minister to
Chilli, was on the floor for while. talking
with many of the Senators, and so was
Chairman Harrity and Mr.. Mahoney.
United States minister to Venezuela. Ac-
cording to the Senate rules, the floor was
cleared of every one except those entitled
to il, shortly before noon. and when the
was in session the noise of many voices
ceased and the chatter in the gal
leries was hushed. Eighteen Senators
were absent from the seats. including
of West Virginia. who are seriously i'll;
Senators Hill and Hiscock of New York,
and Senators Allison Of Iowa and
Jones of Nevada, who are in Brussels
conference. Senator Proctor, elected to Il II
out Mr.. Edmunds's unexpired term from YER
mont, was escorted to the desk by his ven
erable colleague, Mr.. Morrill,, and sworn in
by Vice. president Morton. After hearing
Presldent Pres Harrison would oomm%n,cars cate
with Congress in writing at the opening of
to-morrow's session, the Senate adjourned.
1t is customary at the beginning of a ses-
sion of Congress for the party in power in
plans to be pursued during the SESSION, and
to-day proved no exception to the rule. As
soon as the Senate had adjourned, the Re-
publican Senators repaired to the recep-
tion-room. and for an hour talked over
matters. but without reaching any conclu-
sion.
1t was thought that the anti-options bill
would be subject for somc discussion,
but it Is stated that 1t was not
brought mp at oil. The present composition
ally, as were the two bills for the admission
of two States-Arizona and Now Mexico
but no action was taken, and the caucus
adjourned without really accomplishing
anything. 1T was made apparent, however,
that as the statehood bills will probably be
vigorously pressed by the Democratic Sem
ators there is need for the adoption of some
uniform policy upon the subject by the Re-
publican Senators. At present many Of
them. probably majority. are opposed to
based on the illiteracy Of q large part Of
the population of Arizona and New Mexico;
the fact that many of the Inhabitants are
not Americanized, but speak only the
Spanish language. and lack of population.
Back of these objections lies the fac. that
the two Territories are now represented by
Democratic Delegates. and might fairly
be expected to send Democratic Sena-
tors to add 70 the adverse ma
jority in the Senate during the
next Congress. There are some Republic
an Senators. however. who feel that If the
new States are admitted by the act of a Re-
publican Senate and President they might
be brought into the Republican fold while
to reject their application now might be to
insure their admission after the 4th of
March By the Democratic Senate and hope
lessly ALLEVIATE the new States from the Re-
publican party. Some OF the Senators from
the newly admitted Western States-nota-
bly, Senator Dubois. of Idano-are of this
opinion, and besides they feel 90 grateful
at their own admission that they do not
feel disposed TO act uncharitably toward
thu few remaining Territorisa The sub