The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-12-07
THE OPENING OF CONGRESS
"DETAILS OF HOW THE LONG GRIND
WAS BEGUN.
Members of Both Houses Listen At
tentively to the Reading OF Presi-
dent Cleveland's Message = The
Memory of MIR. Neil Respected.

Washington, Dec. BIN the midst of
regal surroundings, well fitted for most
ostentatlous ceremonies, the opening Of
the regular session, Fifty-third congress,
was attended with typical American SYM
plicity. From shining dome to gloomy
vaults the great, white building has been
made ready for this important session,
and many changes in the interior ar
rangements have occurred during the
short respite from the labors of the ex-
ira session. The hall of the house of
representatives, with polished corridors,
windows and doors, was Respondent b.
the presence of beauty and the genius of
oratory More than an hour before
Speaker Crisp assembled the rostrum the
galleries were thronged with true Ameri-
can womanhood. When at high noon the
speaker, without other than the usual
everyday formality, called the house to
order, the scene was impressive, for this
session is fraught with more lasting re-
suits than any during the past twenty
years. With few exceptions the leaders
were all present. Tawney, McCleary,
Hall, Kefer, Fletcher, Baldwin and
Boen were at their posts, and each ap-
peared invigorated by the late recess.
Rev. Bagby, in his invocation, referred
feellr,gly to the death Of "Father'' O'Neil
and Mr.. Lilley. According to the rule
at the opening of the session, the speaker
then directed the clerk to call the roll
IN order to officially ascertain the pres
ence of quorum. The roll showed 24O
members present. Gen. Grosvenor of
Ohio then escorted H. S. Bundy of Ohio.
elected to succeed the late Representative
Ercchs, to the bar of the house, and the
spec ker with upliftcd hand administered
the oath of Office to him. Mr.. Griffin,
the successor of: the late Mr.. Chapman Of
Deuolt, Mich, was sworn in, and follow
ing this various reports of bureau officers
were taken fro II the speakers table and
formally laid before the house. Chairman
Sayers, from the committee on appropria-
tl"ns, asked unanimous consent for the
consideration of bill appropriatirg $780,
600 additional to pay the salaries of Of
tlcials engaged in the enforcement of the
Chinese deportation and registration act
OF last May and the amendment to that
act passed at the extra session. Mr..
Baker of New York, objected. He after
wards withdrew his objection, however,
and the resolution was passed. At 1:35
p. m. Mr.. Pruden, the White House ex-
ecutive clerk, appeared with the presi-
dents message; and. Speaker Crisp imme-
diately laid it before the house. Clerk
Kerr read it in a clear, firm voice. The
galleries remained silent, and the men,
bers, leaning forward in their chairs,
listened attentively to Mr.. Cleveland's
message. The house then, as a mark of
respect to the memory of the late Mr..
Neil, adjourned.
The senate lost no time in getting into
working order and at oEce took a recess.
Promptly at l :33 the senate resumed it's
session, and Mr.. Mcpherson, of the COM
mittee to wait upon the president, ap-
peared at the bar of the senate and an
bounced that the president would COM
Munlcate with the house in writing. Sec
retary< Pruden at once stepped forward
and delivered the message and it was
iald before the senate by the vice presi-
dent, who directed its reading. The Sec
retary of the senate, Mr.. Cox, then read
the message. The senate also adjourned
as q mark of respect to the late NJ
~'~A''