Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-08
CONGRESS- MEETS ONCE MORE
Members Shake Each Others Hands and
Renew Acquaintance.
FIRST DAYS SESSION PURELY FORMAL
Both Houses Put in the Afternoon
Listening to the Reading OF
the Presidents Inst
Regular Message.


fourth congress with crowded galleries and
with that accompaniment of activity and of
greeting that usually attends the reassem-
bling Of congress. But the upper branch
of congress never puts aside its dignity and
the meeting developed no demonstrations of
dramatic incidents. The reading of the pres
idents message was the feature of the pro-
ceedngs and, beyond this, no attempt was
made to enter upon the business of the ses-
sion. To many of the foreign representatives
occupying the diplomatic gallery the message
had special interest and Significance, owing
TO the part they had taken In the conspicuous
foreign events to which the president re-
ferred. Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British
Ambassador and the new Turkish minister,
Moustapha Bey, were present. Senor Dupuy
dc LONE, the Spanish minister. vas not in
attendance during the day, but two of the
secretaries OF the Spanish legation carefully
noted the references to the Cuban conflict.
Minister Hatch OF Hawaii and Mr.. Cooper,
the Hawaiian minister of foreign affairs we're
listeners, although the message contained no
reference to the Hawaiian islands. The diplo-
matte gallery was vacated as soon the for
egn questions referred to in the message
had been read. On the floor Of the senate
printed copies OF the message were distrib
uted, and these gave the senators opportunity
to read the salient features instead of listen
ing to them. AS result there was scant at
tenton after the reading had proceeded be-
yond the first half hour The reading of the
message covered one hour and fifty minutes
and at its conclusion the senate adjourned.
ASSEMBLING OF THE SENATE.
The senate chamber was a center of in
terest long before the hour for assem-
bling had arrived, and by IL
o'clock the public galleries were well
filled and crowds were at the entrances un-
able to gain admission. Sir Julian Paunce-
fote, accompanied by members of his staff
and several members Of the diplomatic corps,
were in the gallery reserved for foreign rep
resentatves, and with them were several
ladies bearing cards from Secretary Olney.
In the seats reserved for the vice presidents
family and friends sat Mrs. Stevenson and
several ladies' Back of them in the seats
reserved for the families or senators were
many of the wives and daughters of those
prominent on tine floor. The gallery crowds
found ease and comfort in the new theater
seats put in since the last session, although
It resulted in reducing the seating capacity
almost one-half.
The senators were rather late in arriving.
Mr.. Palmer, democrat of Illinois, came about
IL 80, and was a center of interest from the
galleries owing to his prominence in the
recent campaign. Mr.. Tillman also came in
for considerable attention as he went to his
desk and busted himself with writing.
There was plenty of color to greet the
senator's for the floor of the chamber looked
like q conservatory, with many of the desks
bearing superb floral decorations. The
senate officials were quick to note that the
tributes stood 'J6 TO T. sixteen being on
the republican side and one on the demo-
cratic side, although this proportion was
broken as many democrats tributes were
brought in just the session opened. One
for Mr.. Waltham democrat of Mississippi
showed graceful floral crescent bearing
the words mississippi" Other offerings
were to Messrs. Cullom. Allison, Proctor,
Mantle and Thurston, and to Messrs. Vest,
Smith, Blackburn, Pasco, Morgan and Voor-
hees. The latter received superb tribute
of pink and yellow roses.
Exactly at ~ o'clock the vice president
entered the chamber, and going to the desk
of the presiding officer, gave tap which
brought the senate to order, while the blind
chaplain, Rev. DR.. Millburn, read an i'm
pressve invocation. -
The chaplain referred feelingly to the i'll
ness OF Mr.. Allison and besought his speedy
restoration to health. He spoke of the re-
cent exciting political contest through which
the country had passed, marked, he said, by
a freedom from much OF the rancor ana
scandalmonging Of former years and by
quick and calm acceptance OF the results by
the whole nation Peace with all nations,
prosperity to our industries and the peace OF
, our country was invoked.
The roll call showed seventy senators
present
resolution was offered by Cullom that
the house of representatives be notified that
the senate was In session ana ready 10 pro-
ceed with business.
Mr. Hale offered a resolution that the daily
hour for meeting be ~ o'clock, meridian,
which was agreed to-
Mr. Sherman made the customary motion
for a committee OF senators and members to
wait upon the president and upon It's adop-
tlon Mr.. Sherman and Mr.. Smith were named
as that committee.
The senate took a recess until 1:30 o'clock.
At 1 o'clock there was further recess for
thirty minutes and tnen for fifteen minutes.
At las Senator Sherman reported that the
president had been waited upon and would
communicate his views in writing Secre-
tary Pruden OF the white house stan i'm
mediatey stepped forward, message in hand.
and made the formal announcement of
communication from the president. 1t was
taken to the presiding officers desk the
seal was broken and thereupon the general
secretary of the senate began reading the
document
LISTEN WITH INTEREST
Most of the senators remained in their
seats while the reading of the message
proceeded. and they heard 1t with much
interest throughout it's stage Printed copies
were distributed. and the senator's ran
through these, picking out the most salient
features and anticipating the formal read
ing.
The Turkish minister, Moustapha Bey, ac-
companied By lis secretary. Norighf Enfendi,
and an attache entered the gallery shortly
before the clerk read the presidents words
as to prospective action to stop Turkish in
dignltes which shocked the civilized world
They left tho gallery Immediately after this
portion OF the message was read.
After the first hour OF the reading the re-
serve galleries were well nigh empty and the
senators who had run through the printed
copies turned 10 other business, whispering
In groups and retiring to the cloak rooms.
Mr.. Morgan who was prominent during the
Cuban debates OF the last session, made
notes while the Cuban branch was being
read Mr.. German showed noticeable inter
est IN the presidents summary of the re-
ceipts aud expenditures OF the year. The
venerable Mr. Morrill, was one Of the few
senators to keep the printed message before
him from beginning TO end OF the reading.
Mr. FRYE also followed II throughout. The
main interest WAS shown In the first and last
parts OF the message, wherein the pres
idents personal Views were expressed, the
interest tagging on the review of depart
mental branches OF the service. The read
ing OF the message closed at 335 p. m,
having taken just one hour and nifty minutes.
The presidents closing reference to trusts
and monopolies was carefully followed By
Mr.. sherman, author OF the antitrust law, to
which the president referred.
After the usual ;ormalty OF laying ths
r IN. ssaPe on the table, the senate en- motion
of Mr. Hale, republican OF Ialne, adjourned.
HOUSE RESPECTS CRIsP's MEMORY.
Members Hear Presidents Message
ana hmm al lately Adjourn.