The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-20
CONGRESS RE-ASSEMBLES
SCENES AT THE C0NVENING
OFTHEFIFTY-THIRDT TERRI,

Crowds of Spectators in the Galleries
of Both Houses-The Days Ses-
sions Devoted to the Reading OF
the Presidents Message-No Bust-
: ness Transacted.
+ The Fifty-third Congress met IN regular
session at noon on its Constitutional day OF
assemblage, and in brief time had resumed
business in both Houses. The extraordinary
session, called by President CleVe-
land for the purpose OF repeal
inc the purchasing clause OF the Sherman
Silver law, adjourned on November 80. one
day more than month before, and so tne
meeting was more in the nature OF re-
assembling after recess. AT tne August
meeting both Houses haa had oeen ND 0rg"a- nat-
ronage distributed. so tnat tne
session was robbed OF the interesting excite
ment that generally accompanies theneetnS
of a new Congress There was no eiect,ono OF
Sneaker to create enthusiasm or arouse pollt-
Zeal animosities, no new Senators to be sworn
dn, no new Members to bes1ege tine speaker
for committee assignments, and altogetner
the meeting was quite featureless one. re.
The interest in this session, as lndlcateo
hv the gallery attendance. was great, for
f6e f1rst scenes in both branches were wit
messed by throngs as large as the seat-
Inr capacity of the gallery would permit.
Two hundred and sixty-two Representatives
answered the first roll call In the House, ana
there was more than quorum present III
the Senate Chamber.
4 In the Senate, tho tap OF Vice-Presidene
Steyenson's gavel was heard precisely as the
!hands of the gilt-rimned clock over the main
lentrance pointed to the hour OF II. Ihen
the blind chaplain, Mr.. Milburn. OF Illinois,
Offered the opening prayer. 1t was prlel,
Iearnest and eloquent, but not In any way
hensational or dramatic. as was frequently
the case when Mr. Milburn was chap
lain of the House Of Representatives. AT
the outset Of the proceedings the new leac.
lers of the Senate in the changed relation OF
marties came Immediately to the front. The
echo ofthe chaplain amen had scarcely died
away before Mr. Cockrell, Democrat. Chair
man OF the Committee OF Appropriations.
was on his feet to move the customary
resolution to notify the House. Mr.. Sher-
Imam, Republican, took the lead on the otneI
side of the chamber by suggesting that @ Gal
of the rull was the first thing in order. Inns
point being admitted to De wen caken, .ns
nlerk called the roll and fltty-six answered
I no their names Three other Senators sub
seouently entered the chamber, making afty,,
nine present out Of present total
of eiShty-aye (threo vacancies). Dir:
McPherson moved the appointment OF
a committee to wait upon the
: President in conjunction with similar COM
mittee to be appointed by the House Sf Rep
resentatiyes. to inform him that Congress
was oryanized and ready for business MIR.
Mcpherson and Mr.. Sherman we're named Dy
the Vice-President as such committee,
Then MIR. Harris, at 1910 o'clock, moved
that the Senate take recess for one hour,
and this motion being carried the interest
i'm the proceedings lapsed for that period.
when the Senate again resumed Its session.
MIR. Mcpherson and his associate on tne
Senate Committee. Mr.. Sherman TOOK tnelr
stand in the doorway and MIR. McPhersen an
nounced the intention Of the President 70
Immediately communicate to both Houses
Z of Congress a message in writing. Assis-
tant Private Secretary Pruden imme.
3 liiately emerged from the cloakroom. and
DoorSeeper Bassett announced "a message
from the President Of the United states.
Secretary Cox Immediately entered upon its
reading in a distinct voice, and at the con-
elusion tho deaths of Representatives
O,Neill and Lilly, of Pennsylvania, were all
nounced. and after tho adoption OF the
usual resolutions Of respect the Senate ad-
journed.
called for order and prayer was offered by
the chaplain, who touchingly referred 70 tnc
death and long public service of the late
Representative o O'Neill, OF Pennsylvania. Tue
roll was then called to ascertain
the presence Of O. quorum. The roll call dis.
closed the presence of 242 members, and the
Speaker declared the House ready tor the
transaction Of business. The following
committee was appointed Ry the Speaker to
wait upon the President and inform him
that the House was ready to receive any
Communication he might wish &c
make. Messrs. Wilson. Democrat, Outh'
waite. Democrat, and Burrows, Republican.
Mr. Haines offered resolution providing
that committe be appointed TO investigate
1.-THE strike on the Lehish Valley Railroad. its
causes and effect, and, if possible suggest u
remedy. The House thon, at 1885 o'clock,
took = recess for fifteen minutes. At LBS
o'clock Executive Clerk Pruden appeared in
1.-THE House and delivered the President S mes.
rage, which the Clerk was directed
lby the Speaker to read. When he had con.
iciuded the deaths Of Representatives ONeill
land Lilly of Pennsylvania were announced
land after the adoption Of the usual resolu'
lions of respect the House adjourned.