Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-12-10
|SOLONS IN SESSION
REASSEMBLING or THE FIFTY
FOURTH CONGRESS.
SCENES OF THE FIRST DAY
Ex-Speaker Crisp's Desk in the House
Covered With Black Pail FlowA
ers for Babcock-How the presl-
dents Message Is Received Bril-
liant Party of Spectators,


Washington, Dec. S The reassem-
bling OF congress yesterday for the
closing session of the iifty-fourth con-
gress was an occasion of unusual bril-
liancy and interest. The open ng day
is always a gala affair. marking as II
does the official inauguration of the so
cial as we'll as the political battle thar
had been waged during the recess.
AS the members began to assemble
on the floor 1t reminded one OF a re.
union after the civil war. The people
of the pavement and the fashionable
denizens of the city, all expecting
something Of an unusual nature,
crowded the galleries for on nour be-
for the gayel fell The speakers and
the members galleries were filled with
fashionable men and women in the
nobbiest of fan costumes
Crowds of people thronged
the halls and corridors. Most oil
them We're in a boisterous and rroic-
some mood. Others, however. looked
as sulier as they did on the day 81
Bryan's defeat and were still propna-
ewing evils and revolutions in the
country. While the crowds were
gathering in the galleries, the NOM
beers were slowly dropping into the
hall Of representatives Few Of the
members have been able TO see eacn
other during the campaign and they
were on hand earlier than usual 20
congratulate eaah other or to banter,
according to their party affiliations
On the arrival of each pSpicuous
member in the house there was APP
piause from the other members wn'co
was taken up by the galleries.
Among the first to arrive, whom
everybody recognized, was old Gen
Grosyenor. McKinley's statistician.
George b. Mcclellan, son Of Cen. Me-
Clellan, who has been returned TO
congress in spite of Tammany, was
heartily welcomed by his friends.
I.emuel Quigg. also of New York city.
who resigned the editGrship OF the New
York Press, because he would not sup
port Mckinley, was at once received
with warmth by all of the old Reed
clan. Charles w. Stone OF Pennsyl-
vania, the author of the immigration
bill which passed the house at ins
last session and Is now pending in the
senate, also became the center OF an
admiring group of friends as he en-
tered the hall.
In the midst of the general rejolc-
ing there was an air of sadness as
members glanced at the black paIl
which covered the conspicuous desk OF
the late ex-Speaker Crisp. On 1t were
some cut flowers, his portrait in the
lobby In the rear of the house also
being wreathed with Gala lilies.
On the desk OF Mr. Babcock or wis
consin. chairman of tie committee.
was a chair OF roses and soft moss.
AS the hands of the clock pointed to
-, Speaker Reed quietly entered the
hall and assembled the rostrum. lie
was attired In black fr0ck coat ana
looked bronZed and vigorous. Inc
silver mace, the emblem OF tire authd1-
itv of the house, was lifted to the place
on the green malachite pedestal to the
right of the rostrum and with sharp
crack of the gayel the speaker calico
the house to order. The Rev. Cowden
of Michigan, the blind chaplain OF &c
house. offered the invocation. when
It was finished the speaker orderes
the clerk to call the roll.
The roll call showed the presence OF
271 members. As soon as the speaker
announced the presence OF quorum
and that the house was ready TO pro-
eeed TO business. dozen members de-
manded recognition, but the speaker
first received the usual message from
the senate stating that the senate hau
quorum present and was ready 70
proceed to business.
J. William Stokes was then sworn
IN as d member from the seventh
congressional district of South caro-
lima The credentials OF Charles )
Boatner from the fifth District p
| Louisiana were read.
The usual form OF resolutions TOT the
appointment Of a con mittee TO join 2
| similar committee Of the senate ana
! inform the president that the mouse
was ready TO proceed to business ana
another directing the clerk to INFORM
/ ne senate that the house was prepared
to proceed, were adopted.
I The speaker appointed Mr. Cannon
of Illinois, Mr.. Payne OF New 10TH
and Mr.. Turner OF Georgia TO consul
tilte the committee. In order "
await the report Of the CONN tttee' the
house on the motion Of Mr.. Hender-
son of Iowa, took recess untn Low
D. m. The house met again SHORTY
after 1870, and the message from the
president was received and the CLERK
began reading it.
IRE opening words OF the message
concentrating the country on the re.
sult OF the election created 2 oroaa
smile the democrats as well as the re-
pablicans seeming to enjoy the anon.
olous political condition which alloWee
4 democratic president to felicitat'
himself upon a victory gained undel
the banner Of the republican party
The presidents expire. saions on oups