The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-08
CONGRESS- WORK coMMENC ED
MOST OF THE DAY CONSUMED IN
LISTENING TO THE MESSAGE.

Seventy-one Senators and 271 Rep
resentatives Present at the Open
ing of the SessiOn-CIOse Atten-
tiOn Paid to the Portions of the
key - Resolutions Adopted ON
Crisp's Death.
Washington, Dec. THE first day of the
second session of the Fifty fourth congress
presented no remarkable feature.
The Senate chamber was gay with bas-
kets of flowers. the largest and grandest
bedecking the desk of Senator Vest of
Missouri On the republican side the dis
play was strikingly large and handsome
Sir julian Paunceforte, the English am
bassador, and M. Patenoler, the French
ambassador, were the most conspicuous
persons in diplomatic gallery. The pub
lie galleries were, of course crowded
Punctually at noon the Senate was called
to order by Vice President Stevenson
and prayer was offered by the blind chap
lain, Rev. Mr.. Milburn. Special blessing
was asked for the senior senator from
Iowa (Mr. Allison), that he might be re-
stored to perfect health and brought speed
lily to his seat
There were II senators in their seats and
Is absentees. The Presidents annual mes
sage was read.
At first pretty close attention was paid
to the message by the senators, most Of
them following the reading with pamphlet
copies of the message in their hands
Many of the strong points appeared to
give. general satisfaction, such, for in
stance, as that on the subject of the Ar
menian outrages-that the present SOM
bre prospect in Turkey would not be '1ong
Dermifted IN offend fha Of Christay
DOM"
The judicial summing up of the Cuban
question by the statement that when the
inability of Spain to deal successfully with
the insurgents has become manifest a sit
uation will be presented in which our OBJ
legations to the sovereignty of Spain will
be superseded by higher obligations which
we can hardly hesitate to recognize and
discharge, also seemed satisfactory to
both sides of the chamber. Very little at
tention was paid by senators to the other
portions of the message which had to do
solely with internal affairs. The reading
occupied one hour and fifty minutes The
message was laid on the table and the Sen
ate, at 1886 O'Clock, adjourned until to-
morrow.
The blind chaplain, DR.. Milburn, in his
opening prayer, referred to the recent cleo
ton in these words: 1--WE offer hearty
thanksgiving that, after an energetic and
exciting canvass, free from much of the
personal rancor, vituperation and scandal
mongering Of earlier years, the land is
quiet and at rest and accepting the ballot
of the nation and returning to the ways
of orderly living"
The absentees were Messrs. Allison
Blanchard, Brown, Butler, Caffery, George
Hansborough, HILL Irby, Jones of Nevada,
Lindsay, Mcbride Martin, Morgan Stew
art, Teller, Warren and White.
Lea, Lao nzf ..1zc "a
sickness was given to Mr.. George dem
Of Mississippi.
The House devoted the first day of the
session principally to hearing the Presi-
dents message.
w. D. Stokes, reelected from the Sew
enth South Carolina district, was sworn in
The first of the general appropriation bills
for the coming fiscal year, the pensions
was reported from the appropriations
committee and placed on the calendar. The
bill carries a total of $141, 263, $50. This Is
se5, 900 less than the appropriation for the
current fiscal year and the same amount
under the estimates submitted by the COM
missioner of pensions.
A certificate of Mr. Boatner's reelection
from Louisiana was read.
Two hundred and seventy-one members
answered the roll call.
At three minutes past O'Clock the read
ing of the Presidents message was be-
gun.
when the reading of the message was
finished it was, on motion of Mr.. Dingley,
rem. of Maine, together with the accom-
panying documents, referred to the COM
mirtee of the whole and ordered printed.
Mr.. Turner, DEM, Of Georgia, on being
recognized, stated that 1t was his melan-
choly duty to inform the House of the
death of his colleague, ex-Speaker Crisp,
who died at Atlanta, Ca, on Oct. %. At
a later day he would ask that day be as
signed for paying proper respect to his
distinguished character and eminent pub
lie services. He offered the following
resolutions:
Resolved, that the House has heard with
profound sorrow Of the death Of the Hon.
Charles f. Crisp, late representative
from the state of Georgia.
Resolved. that as a mark OF respect to
his memory the House do now adjourn.
The resolutions were adopted and the
House, at $3.50 o'clock accordingly adjourn
ed until noon tomorrow.