St. Paul daily globe., 1892-12-06
Second Session of the Fifty
Second Congress Opens
With Usual Scenes.
Democrats Are Joyful, While
Republicans Hide Their
Disappointment.
Quite a Number Of Vacant
Seats Noticeable in Both
Chambers.
Each Body Holds Only Short
Session, Transacting No
Business.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The second
session of the Fifty-second congress
opened in the senate today with the
usual scenes. There was a crowded
gallery and a display of flowers that
surpassed any previous outburSt OF
floral tributes. Senator Mitchell was
lost sight from behind an immense
tree of roses, and several other embIems
rested on his desk. The desks that were
not the resting place of some design or
bouquet were few and far between.
The good effect of the flowers was
heightened by the aif of jollity and good
fellowship that marked the greetingsof
senators for the first time since the late
political upheaval. Democrats. nat
urally, were jubilant and joyful, but
the Republicans made brave show,
and if there were any grief felt it was
hidden behind smiling face.
Eighteen senators were absent from
their places, including Senators Gibson,
Of Louisiana. and Kenna, of West Vir-
ginia, who are seriously ill; Senators
Hill and Hiscock. of New York, and
Senators Allison, of Iowa, and Jones, of
Nevada, who are in Brussels attending
the international monetary conference.
Senator Proctor, elected to fill out Mr..
Edmunds' uneXpired term from Yer
mont, vas escorted to the desk by his
venerable colleague. Mr.. Morrill,, and
sworn in by Vice President Morton.
After hearing from Senators Hale and
German that President Harrison would
communicate with congress in writing
at the opening of tomorrow's session the
senate adjourned.
Scenes in the House.
The general feeling of good humOr and
self-SatisfactiOn which was noticeable
among the members present at high
noon today, when the second session of
the Fiftt-secOnd congress was called to
order, has probably never been sur
passed OH a similar occasion. The large
Democratic majority was still flushed
with the triumph of the recent over
whelming victory. and at the same time
rejoiced in the fact that its continuance
in power was assured. Handshaklng
and mirth early became epidemic. Sc
date old veterans relaxed their constant
inlmobility Of countenance and smiled.
Men grown gray with age renewed their
1OuIl, dllu = llSIL
companions The Republicans, of
course, did not share in this hilarity,
but the humor of the situation relieved
all feeling of resentment, and they re-
flected the eXuberance of their Demo
cratic brethren with apparent resigna-
ton.
AS the hour of II o'clock approached
the galleries became crowded with in
terested spectators, and the corridors
with the usual overflow of those unable
to obtain admitance. The desks of
favored members were very generously
supplied with flowers. AT noon the
house was called to order and the usual
committees appointed to wait upon the
senate and president to inform them
that the regular work of the session
had begun. After the transaction Of
some upimpOrtant routine business a
recess Of thirty minutes was taken,
when a report was received that the
president would tomorrow send com
munication to the house. Resolutions
in honor of Edward F. Macdonald. de-
ceased, late from New Jersey, were
adopted. and the house at 80 adjourned
as token of respect to his memory.