Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-20
SONG In THE HOUSE
The Representatives Punctu-
ate the Convention Returns
WITH PATRIOTIC SELECTIONS
The Quiet At the Opening of Both Houues
by PTsyes-PTepsring fos The
Great Encsmpment.

Great Encsmpmeni
WAsHIssros, June IA picture Cor
an artist was the scene In the house of
representatives the other dsy. when
returns were being received from the
republican convention at Minneapolis
no great WAS the interest In the con-
vsntlon that the house adjourned over
till evening. and for the rest of the dsy
The congressman, their friends and the
various employees of the Capitol took
possession OF the representative hail.
and waited for news As the teiegrsms
came in, page carried them 10 the
reading cierk-and amidst an almost
bresthiess silence-he read them aloud.
As message Otter message came, giving
only preilmlnaIles O. the convention.
the crowd would shout "vote, % ''vote."
Mesn~hIie. to pass the time pleasantly,
prominent congressman gathered in
groups, seemingly 10 dlscuss the situa--
ton.
heceiseu Win Sfnglug-
Soon, from one of these groups, came
the words OF "America''-and. as the
nrst line of ''My Country, lis of Thee
WAS rolled out in a heavy soprano, It
was taken up by other voices, and .
volume OF melody and patriotism car
ried everything before IL. Between
every few lines u message was received,
and the SINGING subsided long enough
10 hear II read. Then Three Cheers
Tor the Red, White and Blue were
Justify sung. ana prominent western
congressman added zest 10 the occasion
10y waving aloft small flag of our ma
ton. But 'The Star spaueled banner
proved almost too much for the ln.
proyisec musical club. Twice was the
tune pitched" away up in the clouds,
and amid shouts. groans and applause
did II come 10 an untimely end. Moth.
ing daunted. they started over again.
going 60 tar into the depths below"
however, as 10 make a sound like
bass drum. The fourth, not the third.
time proved the charm, and never be-
fore by Fourth Of july chorus or the
veterans of the war, wac the ''stAr
spangled Banner" more Justify or
more enthusiastically fioated TO the
breeze than on this occasion. But the
news from Minneapolis is becoming in
teresting. for the prolonged voting
has commenced, and the groups melt
into throng that stands about the
cesk and the bulletin board. devourink
fairly the words of the telegrams "a
they fall from the mouth OF the clerk.
The Opening of Congress.
Washington steadily grows at the
Mecca of all travelers--for there 10 60
much To see IN this city--in which 20
much of the interest of the entire
country centers. The Capitol building
Is the objective point of all. Well may
IL be, for in its magnificent prepor-
tions, It's massiveness, Its architectural
| beauty and Its furnishings-it ranks
with the buildings of the world.
The houses OF congress and the SUI
preme court of the United states are
always objects Of interest
An impressive sight is the opening of
the house at IL O'Clock sharp. In the
| senate, as the chaplain walks up the
stairway leading To the speakers desk.
the members all rise, the army of pages
scatter, each to his respective place, in
front of a desk or aislc-the aged do,s-
keeper, conspicuous by his long white
hair and flowing beard, stations him.
self at the lower left hand side of tae
! desk, and then enters the slcx prosp-
dent of the United States. and ae be
brings the gavei down upon the deck.
| he says, "The senate will be opened
with prayer" Every head 10 bowed,
and the reverence and quiet Of the
place are equal to come great church
gathering. The present chaplain of
the house, a. IL well known. 10
blind. As he makes he appearances,
leaning on the arm OF q young man the
way is always cleared before him.
After he ofiers prayer be turns 10 the
speaker, they shake hands, and pass
the days greetings, then he le led away
again. In five minutes the hum OF
talking and the buzz Of business IL 90
patent everywhere that one wonders
''can this be The orderly. dlgn,fied
body Of a few moments ago." The
scene IN the house of representatives
often reminds visitors OF large school,
in which the master has stepped out,
and the "boys," svsiiing themselves of
this liberty, are leaving their sesss.
talking and having . noisy time gem
orally.
Preparing Tor the o. a. n
While the eyes 81 the nation are gen
orally turned toward Washington. they
| will be particularly 20 WITHIN the next
few weeks, when the annual epcsuip-
| ment of the National q. A. X. will b
held here.
Ample preparations are being made
for The thousands who will avail them
selves of tbis great opportunity 10 wat
the section.
A qu1et but effective greeting will hs
given the visiting veterans, as they see
displayed in one OF the slopes 81 the
Capitol grounds. eli the diff ereut q. A.
r. badges growing there IN natures
own hue, but speaking also 10 the vie.
iior by their decided resemblance 70
the ta6re or tanBef be wears or car
ries. There n 90 much here b. recall
the warm" days of the war. that the
vetersDe will have more than usual
scope IN var reunion. var stores, arid
tie days Of the sirtses. on general pfID-
cJplee.
In al the great and beautiful Houu-
rnents that are scattered about tins
beautiful city only one commemcratso
r.eac<. Amy CkRs0s Eo1Enz.