The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-02

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woman. There is more of life in the
throng sthan there has been for many
a day. for all roads do not lead to the
capitol. and Pennsylvania avenue is
the chief thoroughfare to that Mecca
of the politician.
he Meeting of the Senate.
The number of new faces in the
senate chamber when the vice presi-
dent calls that body to order will be
comparatively few.
Mr.. Ransom's will be missing. Mr.
Butler of South Carolina, another relic
or the age of chivalry in the South, Is
also gone into retirement. Georgia
sends Augustus o. Bacon to take the
seat held for a brief space by Patrick
Walsh. the editor of the Augusta
Chronicle. j. II. Gear an old-tim mem
Der of the house, best known as Gov
ernor Gear" fills the seat of Wilson
/ of Iowa.
Ex-Governor Knute Nelson, known
not so long ago as a member of the
/ mouse. takes the place of Washburn of
Minnesota. Mr.. Dixon of Rhode ISL
and gives way to George Peabody
! Wetmore. w. j. Sewel. once a MEM
Der of the senate and well known of
later years as President Harrisons
/ hunting companion on many a trip,
takes the seat of Mr. Mcpherson Ex-
Secretary Elkins, once of the Harrison
cabinet. succeeds johnson Camden of
West Virginia. Ex-senator Warren of
wyoming returns TO take the place of
Mr.. Carey, and Thomas S. Martin of
Virginia displaces Bppa Hunton.
Not many changes. But the senators
serve for six years and are reasonably
sure of reelection. Mr.. Morrill, has
been in the senate 2S years, Mr. Sher-
man 80 years, Mr.. Allison % years.
Mr.. Ransom had served for % years
continuously when he retired.
Because there are so few newcom-
ers among them the gathering of the
senators is like the reunion of a big
family. No party distinctions are
drawn as they group themselves on the
floor OF the senate chamber on the
opening day of the session. Personal
friendships Obliterate for a time that
imaginary line which separates demo-
crat from republican. and the repre-
sentatives of the parties and OF all
sections of the country mingle freely
shaking hands, exchanging congra tu-
lations on improved health, swapping
little gossip of the late election per-
haps.
Some are subjects for congra tulation
Their recent campaigns have been sue
cessful and promise reelection when
state legislatures meet But Hill and
Brice and Gibson receive condolences
though. and few even of those who
are most bitterly disappointed find it
In their hearts TO be anything but jolly
on the first day of the seasion.
long time before the noon hour the
floor of the chamber has been cleared
of strangers. The pages hurry to and
fro with an air of bus Ting importance.
They are prime factors in legislation.
they think But al least from this
day they are the recipients Of a daily
stipend of 81. and that is a matter of
much seriousness to them.
Can't. Isaac Bassett, the chief among
them, now past the semicentenary of
service and conscious of his import
ance as a one time protege of the
great Webster ds in charge of the
floor. Everything is fresh and clean
and bright docking. The furniture has
been reuDhoistered, a new carpet has
been laid. The senate wears out a
carpet in every congress.
The senators drop in one at a time.
There are not many in their places usu-
ally when the gavel falls, but on the
opening day there Is a larger number
than is customary at other times.
The galleries. are fairly well filled
when. at ] minute before IL O'Clock,
the eastern door leading to THE lobby
opens. and the vice president and the
chaplain appear. Mr.. Stevenson, who
mas been spending the summer in Alas
la, and at his home IN Bloomington,
and whose rudy complexion tells OF
improved health, and DIR. MiIburn, the
famous blind chaplain, who has been
in the service of congress off and on
since he was Ia youth. and whose thou
sands of miles of travel have been in
creased during the congressional re-
cess by a trip TO Europe.
The gavel of the vice president Is an
ivory device, small. and shaped some
thing like an ur-glass. 1t has been
in the care of Captain BaSsett through |
the summer, concealed, no one knows |
where. but hidden as completely as is |
the identity of Daniel Webster's desk, |
which Bassett has stored in his mind.
When the Gsvel Falls
The vice president takes the little |
gavel and taps lightly on the cloth |
covered desk. Conversation ceases, |
and many of the senators rise and re- |
main standing while the chaplain de- 4
hvers a brief invooltion- At Its con- /
clOss1u the chairs fill rapidly. There is
no journal OF the last days session to /
read, and the first business to transact /
Is the swearing In Of newly-elected 1
sensipors. Many have been sworn in at /
the last session in preparation for their
to-day. SO this business
is accomplished quickly.
Then a committee of old senators Is i
appointed TO act with a committee OF
me mbers of the house in notifying the /
president that congress is in session.
After this a recess is taken I'LL the
committee is ready to report. Car
riagres hive been waiting 20 convey the 4
committee to the white house, and the
journey Is made quickly.
In half hour the committee Is back |.
with the information that its dutees
have been performed and that the
president via communicate with con-
sress in writing. This formal an
nouncement presages the coming Of
the presidents message, but II Is Gus
tOmary for the president to withhold
the message for q day and to send II
In at the beginning Of the session of
Tuesday. II this Is to be the pro-
gramme, the members of the commit
tee are informed OF the fact, ard d.
rectly after the report OF the commit
tee the senate adiourns.
But the adjournment IS not had until
a food of bills pour in. For even thus
early in IRE session the senators are |
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