Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-07
CONGRESS IS HERE.
Both Houses Assemble in Extra
ordinary Session Today.
CHAS F. CRISP REFLECTED SPEAKER.
The Senate Remains in Session
But q Short Time.
OTHER HOUSE OFFICERS,

The opening day of the Fifty-thrd Con-
gress brought with 1t a most welcome and
refreshing change in the weather The cool
breezes replaced the torrid heat of the pre-
vious week and supplemented the improved
ventilating fans. making the temperature
or the House and Senate chambers quite
endurable, notwithstanding the crowds of
spectators who as usual. packed the gal
leries and thronged the corridors. Among
the latter there were many who were thor
oughiy un-American. At this season of the
year there appears to have been a sudden
impetus in the foreign travel to the worlds
fair. and the European tourist Is a familiar
figure on the streets of Washington. Many
of these were about the Capitol at an early
hour anxious to see what one typical En-
glishman called our "Hamerican 'Ouse of
Commons" Field glasses were plentiful,
and even the kodak fiend was present en-
deavoring to get a shot at some Of the lead
Ing political figures in the coming legisla-
tive drama. In the galleries the presence of
a large number OF ladies, attired in the light
and heecy garments Of summer lent a bril-
hancy to the picture. The members CALLER
les were filled with the families of the leg
isiators, and 1t was noticeable that those of
the new members occupied the more promi-
nent seats.
A Brief Senate Session.
The Senate had but a brief session. The
usual routine business incident to the as
semblage of a new Congress was transacted
and then amid the silence with which NOR
tai honors the dead Senator White of Cali
fornia arose in his seat and announced the
demise of his colleague, the late Senator
Leland Stanford. at the same time asking
the Senate to adjourn out of respect to his
memory. The session lasted but half an
hour.
Ine chamber with Its dressing of mating
instead of the heavy carpet looked particu-
iariy cool and inviting, and its pleasant ap-
pearance was remarked upon by the Sena-
tors as they obtained the first glimpse of it,
AS the arrival of the Senators was delayed
until the last moment, but few of them had
met until they reached the Capitol, and the
short time before Vice President Stevenson
raped the body to order was devoted to
the usual friendly greetings.
Crowd in the Galleries.
The galleries contained their customary
crowd, each being filled until the curious
mass swarmed over into the corridors be-
yond. In the crowd the light summer gar
ments were in decided contrast to the SOM
Der array which ordinarily is seen on such
an OCCASION, Tor 1t has been many years
since Congress was called together in the
middle Of summer, when such clothing was
possible. Though there were some flowers
on the Senator's desks, the floral display
was not as conspicuous as is ordinarily the
case. being due no doubt to the fact that
most Of the new Senators were sworn In at
the extra session in March, when their
friends expressed their good will by send
Ing flowers to the desks Of the Senator's.
There was no doubt that a quorum was
present for though on Saturday night the
number of members Of the upper body who
were in the city was quite small the ar
when the Senate was called together 1t was
noticeable that but few seats were vacant.
THE SENATE.
The Fffty-third Congress Of the United
States was opened at noon today In extra
ordinary session. The occasion attracted
crowds to the Capitol.
The Senate chamber was in it's midsummer
attire, the floors being laid with mating.
Half dozen Of the desks Of Senators on
the democratic side were provided with
handsome flowers. The galleries were filled
with ladies in light summer costume. and
the floor was open to visitors up to within
a quarter Of II o'clock. One of the
first Senators to put in an appearance was
Mr. Stewart of Nevada, and his desk was
the central point of attraction for Sena-
tors of both parties as they arrived. Mr..
German was one Of those and he and MIR.
a long chat
Mr. Mills Of Texas was in his seat about
the same time that Mr.. Stewart came fn
but there was no greeting between the two.
Mr.. Teller of Colorado arrived at about five
minutes before Il and, at the same moment
a magnificent basket Of flowers was laid on
his desk. He was most cordially welcomed
by many Senator'S. Just before the stroke
of noon Mr.. Colauitt was wheeled into the
Oh har hrrf hafn ha l~,
his chair the Vice Presidents gavei fell.
a hush came suddenly on the talk and con-
fusion and the chaplain of the Senate. Rev.
Mr.. Butler. opened the session with prayer.
member Thy servant. the President. and
the members Of his cabinet and bless the
two houses Of Congress now assembling.
And so guide their counsels that the best
interests Of the people may be advanced
in this time Of doubt and adversely and hes
ttation.
The Vice President then directed the Sec
retary to read the proclamation of the
President convening Congress in extra
read by Mr.. Mccook. the outgoing secre-
tary.
Senator Quay (Penn.), who had been alb
sent during the last session of the Senate
and had, therefore. not taken the oath
qualifying him for his new term, had the
oath now administered to him, as also had
Senator Pasco of Florida, reelected by the
legislature of the state since the close Of
last session.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
a communication from Mr.. Beckwith of
Wyoming, stating that, owing to a COM
bination of circumstances over which he
had no control. he had been Obliged to
hand in his resignation to Gov. Osborne of
Wyoming, of his appointment as United
States Senator. The communication was
placed on file.
On the suggestion Of Mr. German. the
oath of office administered to the new
secretary of the Senate. MIR. Cox, who was
escorted TO the desk by the retiring sec
retary, Mr.. McCcok.
Resolutions were then offered and agreed
to, to inform the House of Representatives.
that a quorum of the Senate had assem-
hled and was ready to proceed to business
to notify the House and the President OF
the election of MIR. Cox as secretary of the
Senate. fixing the daily hour of meeting at
noon, and for the appointment Of a COM
mittee of two Senators to join a like COM
mittee on the part of the House to wait
upon the President and inform him that
both houses are in session and ready to
receive any communication he may be
pleased TO make. Senators Harris and
Sherman were appointed such committee
on the part of the Senate.
Senator StanfOrd's Death Announced,
Mr.. White of California rose and said
that it was his painful duty to announce
the death of his late colleague, MIR. STAN
ford. He should. at date to be fixed here
after request the Senate to set apart a
day for such remarks in regard to Mr.
Stanford's memory as might be deemed