The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-03
CONGRESS- OPENS
Reed Receives an Ovation
and Lots of Flowers.
The Roll Call Developed the Presence
of ZIG Members. :.
Committee Informed President Cieve-
land That Congress Was Ready for
Business.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The opening OF
the second session of the Fifty-third Con-
yress after q recess OF three months made
she big white marble Capitol building
center OF interest today.
Early in he day the corridors began to
fill with the crowd which is always attrac-
ted by the assemblage of Congress. There
gas added interest owing to the political
revolution which had recently occurred.
The House was called to order promptly
At noon. At that time the chamber was
well filed. Many of the Nom bers' desks
we're strewn with flowers. AS one
OF the House wits said, "Flowers
for the living and flower for the dead"
Many OF the floral pieces were large and
handsome. On the desk OF ex-Speaker
Reed was an immense floral ship OF
state, As the card attached to it
affirmed, from "protectionist." "Ad-
vocate as you have" it read, "protection
30 American labor and the ship of state
will guide you into haven of peaceful
waters"
Shortly before 12 O'Clock Mr.. Reeds
towering form was espied as he came down
the center aisle, dressed in \ conventional
black frock coat. Instantly the babble OF
Soices on the floor was drowned in ring
Ing cheer from his party associates. The
cheer was taken up and re-ecnoed by
the galleries. Mr.. Reed, with radi-
ant face, bowed his acknowledgment
A moment later Representative Wilson OF
the tariff bill was enthusiastically greeted
by his associates.
As the hands OF the clock pointed to the
hour Of II, Speaker Crisp entered the hail
from the lobby and assembled the rostrum.
Abb burst ss of w9pp applause signalized his his
bangs OF the gavel the speaker restored
order and the second session of
the Fifty-third Congress had begun.
President Cleveland came to the
White House from Woodley at 10 O'Clock
this morning. 1t was the first
weeks. He came alone and was met by
Mr.. Thurber when he entered. The Presi-
dent looked very well considering the
severe illness he has suffered from and the
only outward sign OF his ailment was the
pronounced limp which characterized his
walk.
All the members stood with bowed
heads while Rev. MIR. Regby. the chaplain
OF the House, invoked the Divine bless
ing, and then, in accordance with the rule,
the roll was called to ascertain the pres
ence OF . quorum.
As the clerk struggled through the long
roll call the members on the floor resumed
their converation and for the next half
hour the hall fairly bummed with voices.
About 10 minutes after II Mr.. Breckin-
ridge OF Kentucky, with snoww hite hair
and beard, entered and walked quietly to
his seat. A page boy carrying large
armful of MarechaI Neil roses followed
and placed them on his desk. Roses,
chrysanthe hemums, orchids and other
flowers were also carried in profusion for
Messrs. Richardson, Burrows and others
until the hall almost looked like a flower
bower. The roll call developed the pres
sence OF 2l6 members, AZ more than a
quorum. The speaker announced the fact
That several members elected TO hll vacan-
cies occasioned by death or resignation
were present, and George =. Harrison of
Alabama, John :. Little of Arkansas, Will
liam T.. Henry, Charles f. Coffin and Will
liam Laird Of Maryland, W. NJ. Beckner
of Kentucky, j. H. Bromwell of
Ohio and Michael Griffin, were escorted TO
the bar OF the House and sworn in. The
Speaker also announced the resignation OF
Amos j. Cummings of New York, who re-
signed to accept an appointment as sub
way comm issioner of New York city.
Upon motion OF Mr.. Wilson (Dem., w.
Va.), committee consisting of himself,
Mr.. Holman and Mr.. Reed, was appointed
to join a similar committee from the Sem
ate and inform the President that
quorum Of both houses was present and
CO. z ress ives ready to receive any COM
munlcation he desired to make.
Routine motions fixing the hour OF
meeting, ETC., were adopted, and the rep
resentatives OF the House were received,
and at II 80 the House took a recess until
1p. m. 10 await the Presidents message.
80 Mr.. Pruden, the Presidents ex-
ecutive clerk, appeared with the message
which at the direction of tre Speaker was
read by the clerk of the House.