Passaic City record., 1893-12-09
CONGRESS RE-ASSEMBLES
SCENES AT THE C0NVENING
OFTHEFIFTY-THIRD TERM.


Crowds of Spectators in the Galleries
of Both Houses-The Days Ses-
sions Devoted to the Reading of
the Presidents Message-No Busi-
ness Transacted.
The Fifty-third Congress met in regular
session at noon on its Constitutional day of
assemblage, and in a brief time had resumed
business in both Houses. The extraordinary
session, called by President Cleve-
land for the purpose of repeal
ing the purchasing clause of the Sherman
Silver law, adjourned on November Sd, one
day more than a month before, and so the
meeting was more in the nature of a re-
assembling after recess. At the August
meeting both Houses had been organ
lied, committees appointed, and pat
ronage distributed, so that the
session was robbed of the interesting excite
ment that generally accompanies the meeting
of a new Congress. There was no election of
Speaker to create enthusiasm or arouse polit-
ical animosities, no new Senators to besw
in. no new Members to besiege the Speaker
for committee assignments, and altogether
the meeting was quite featureless one. Yet
the interest in this session, as indicated
by the gallery attendance, was great, for
the first scenes in both branches were wit
messed by throngs as large as the seat
ing capacity of the gallery would permit.
Two hundred and sixty-two Representatives
answered the first roll call in the House, and
there was more than quorum present IN
the Senate Chamber.
In the Senate, the tap of Vice-President
Steyenson's gavel was heard precisely as the
hands ofthe gilt-rimmed clock over the main
entrance pointed to the hour of 12. Then
the blind chaplain, Mr. Milburn, of Illinois,
>fr.e~ VT
earnest and eloquent, but not in any way
sensational 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 lead
ers of the Senate in the changed relation OF
parties came Immediately to the front The
echo ofthe chaplain's amen had scarcely died
away before Mr.. Cockreil, Democrat, Chair
man of the Committee of Appropriations,
was on his feet to move tho customary
resolution to notify the House. MIR. Sher-
man. Republican, took the lead on the other
side of the chamber by suggesting that call
of the roll was the first thing in order. This
point being admitted to be well taken, the
clerk called the roll and fifty-six answered
to their names. Three other Senators sub
seauently entered the chamber, making fifty
nine present out of a present total
Mcpherson moved the appointment OF
committee to wait upon the
President in conjunction with a similar COM
mittee to be appointed by the House OF Rep
resentatives, to inform him that Congress
was organized and ready for business. Mr..
Mcpherson and Mr. Sherman were named by
the Vice-Presdent as such committee,
Then Mr.. Harris, at II. 10 O'Clock, moved
that the Senate take a recess for one hour,
and this motion being carried the interest
in the proceedings lapsed for that period.
When the Senate again resumed its session.
Mr.. Mcpherson and his associate on the
Senate Committee. Mr.. Sherman took their
stand in the doorway and Mr.. Mcpherson an
nounced the intention of the President to
Immediately communicate to both Houses
of Congress message In writing. Assis.
tant Private Secretary Pruden imme-
diately emerged from the cloakroom. and
Doorkeeper Bassett announced SO message
from the President of the United States.
Secretary Cox Immediately entered upon its
reading in distinct voice, and at the con.
clusion the deaths OF Representatives
O'Neill and Lilly, of Pennsylvania, We're an
nounced, and after the adoption OF the
usual resolutions of respect tho Senate adj
journed.
In the House at 1901 o'clock the Speaker
called for order and prayer was offered by
the chaplain, who touchingly referred to the
death and long public service OF the late
Representative O'Neill, of Pennsylvania. The
roll was then called to ascertain
the presence of a 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 by the Speaker to
wait upon the President and inform him
that the House was ready to receive any
communication he might wish to
make. Messrs. Wilson, Democrat, Outh
waite, Democrat, ard Burrows, Republican.
Mr.. Haines offered a resolution providing
that committe be appointed to investigate
the strike on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, its
causes and effect, and, if possible suggest a
remedy. The House then, at 1855 O'Clock,
took recess for fifteen minutes. At 1.35
o'clock Executive Clerk Pruden appeared in
the House and delivered the Presidents mes.
rage, which the Clerk was directed
by the Speaker to read. When he had con.
cluded the deaths of Representatives O'Nein
and Lilly of Pennsylvania were announced
and after the adoption of the usual resolu.
tions of respect the House adjourned.