Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-08
THE 54'TH CONGRESS.
FIRST DAY or SECOND SESSION
WITHOUT SPECIAL FEATURE.
READING OF PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Close Attention by Senators TO Ar.
menian Outrage and Cuban Insur.
rection Clauses OF tn. Documents
Prayer Touching late Election.

WASHINGTON, December 7. = The
hrst day OF the second session OF the
Flfty-fourth Congress presented no re-
markable features There were seventy
one senators In their seats and eighteen
aosentees. The Presidents annual mes
sage was read.
At first pretty close attention was
paid TO the message by senators-most
OF them following the reading with
pamphlet copies OF the message in their
hands. Many OF the strong points ap-
peared TO give general satisfaction. such.
Tor instance, as that on the subject OF
Armenian outrages-that the present
sonDre prospect IN Turkey would not
be long permitted 10 offend the sight
Of Christendom" The judicial summing
up OF the Cuban question by the state
ment that when the inability OF Spain
TO deal successfully with the insurgents
has become manifest. situation will
be presented In which our OBLIGATIONS
TO the sovereignty OF Spain VIII be
superseded by higher obligaticas. which
We can hardly hesitate TO recognize and
discharge. also seemed TO be salts
Very little attention was paid by sena-
tors 10 the other portions OF the mes-
sage, which had 10 do solely with inter-
nal affairs. The reading occupied one hour
and fifty minutes. The message was laid
on the table. and the Senate AT 3:35 adj
Journed until tomorrow.
The blind chaplain. Dr. Milburn. in his
opening prayer. referred TO the recent
election in these words:
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, accepting the ballot or the nation,
and returning to the ways OF orderly
living"
The absentees were Messrs. Allison.
Blanchard. Brown. Butler. Canery.
George. Hansbrough. HILL Irby Jones
OF Nevada. Lindsay. Mcbride. Martin.
Morgan, Stewart. Teller Warren. and
White
Indefinite leave OF absence. on account
OF sickness, was given to Mr. George
OemocraD. OF Mississippi
House OF Representatives.
The House devoted the first day OF the
session principally 10 hearing the Presi-
dents message.
Mr.. w ID. Stokes. reelected from the
Seventh South Carolina District. was
sworn in The first Of the general appro-
DriatiOn bills for the coming fiscal year
the pension bill-was reported from tho
Appropriations Committee and placed on
the calendar The bill carries a total of
Sn. .263 $50. This IL 5000 less than tho
appropriation for the current fiscal year.
and the same amount under the estimates
submitted by the Commissioner Of PEN
sions.
A certificate Of Mr. BoatneTs re-elec-
ton. from Louisiana. was read.
Two hundred and seventy-one members
answered the roil-cah
At three minutes past o'clock the
reading OF the Presidents message was
begun When the reading OF the mes
sage was finished. Ii was. on motion or
Mr. Dineley Republican,. of Maine, to-
gether with the accompanying documents.
referred 10 the Committee OF the Whole.
and ordered printed.
Mr. Turner Democrat. Of Georgia on
being recognized. stated that II was HIS
melancholy duty 20 inform the House OK
the death OF his colleague ex-Sppaker
Crisp. who died al Atlanta. Ga. on Octo-
Der 23d At later day he would ask that
n day be assigned for paying proper re-
spect TO his distinguished character and
eminent public services. lie offered tho
following resolutions;
Resolved That the House has heard
with profound sorrow Of the death OF
Hon. Charles +. Crisp. late "A representa-
tive from the State OF Georgia.
Resolved That. as a mark OF respect
TO his memory, the House do now ad-
journ."
The resolutions were adopted. and the
House at $3.50 accordingly. adjourned until
noon tomorrow.