The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-08

chaplain invoked tine DIVINE blessing on the
| work OF the session, the roll was called.
committee was appointed to wait on the
president and the latter's annual ooumuni-
cation was read. The reading consumed
about two hours. II was Mr.. Cleveiand's
| farewell message and there was much Gu
ricsiiy as to his views on Cbua especially,
+, but there were no demonstrations either OF
approval or dissent throughout the reading,
| The holiday nature OF the day was addened
| by the announcement of tho death OF ex-
| Speaker Crisp, which MIR. Turner OF Geor-
| eia formally made to his associates out
of respect to the memory Of the dstin-
guished Georgian, the house, after adopting
appropriate resolutions. immediately adj
| iourncd.
! Washington. December THE house
\ presented very animated scene an hour
before Speaker Reed arrived. The galleries,
to which the public were invited without
cards. were crowded to the doors before
IL o'clock, while the halls were jammed
with those unable to gain entrance. The
reserved galleries filled more slowly. but
before IL o'clock were frightened with the
| handsome gowns of fair women.
From the floor rose an Undesirable buss
OF many voices aa the members exchanged
the greetings with much hand thaking, at
ter the manner Of college students attend
ing again after the long vacation.
There were "reminiscences OF the cam
paign, explanations of defeat. explorations
of victory, condolences and congratulations.
The aisles were crowded with outsiders,
many of them local politicians already be-
| soiging their members for the fruits OF SER
| vice rendered lobbyists already pressing
for the consideration OF bills IN which they
were interested, and Old claimants hoping
\ against hope that they would soou see the
| contamination of their long desire.
| Pages were carrying TO the seats Of the
members flowers and iioral pieces from con-
stituents and admiring friends
But Ia the midst OF thu general rejoicing
there vas an air OF sadness as the members
glanced at the black pail which covered the
seat OF the late Speaker Crisp IT was
covered with cut flowers. His portrait in
the lobby in the rear of the house MAS also
wreathed with Gala lilies The ox-spcak-
ers death cast shadow over the whole
house and was especially apparent on the
| democratic side, where his loss viii be
felt.
There were many conspicuous personages
both on the floor and In the gslleres. NJ.
Patonotre. the French ambassador. and
several other diplomats with their families
were in the diplomatic gallery. As tho
hands of the clock pointed to II Speaker
Reed quietly entered the hall and ascended
! the rostrum ami with sharp crack OF the
gayel the speaker called the house to or
der.
Rev. Cowden OF Michigan, the blind chap
lain of the house, offered the Invocation ,
The roll call showed the presence OF I'll
members, AS soon the speAkor an T.
pounced Il presence OF a quorum and that
the house was ready TO proceed 10 business
a dozen members demanded recognition,
but the speaker first recognized The usual
message from the senate stating that the
senate was ready to proceed 10 business.
Mr. r. Smith Williams Was then sworn
as representative from the First district
Of South Carolina. The credentials from
, MIR. Boatnor from Louisiana were also re
ccived. Roth men received certificates OF
election 10 this congress, nut their seats
were contested and declared vacant by The
house AT the present session.
They were then re elected.
The usual formal resolutions for the p.
, Iontment of d committee to join similar
committee of the senate and inform The
, president that the house was ready 10 pro
coed to business and directing the clerk t.
iuform the senate that the house was pre-
pared to proceed were adopted.
The speaker appointed Mr.. Cannon Of H.
: liuoia. Mir. Payne Of New York and MIR
Turner Of Georgln TO constitute the com
mittee.
The selection OF Mr.. Turner was consid
t cred significant. in that The Georgia repre-
sentative would succeed Mr. Crisp as
HI, mbcr Of the committee on rules.
In order 10 await the report Of the com
mittee, the house on motion of Mr.. Hen
y Corson OF Iowa, took recess TIL y, NJ.
The house took further recess until
! O'Clock and Mr.. pruden, the presidents *
ecutive clerk presented the message, which
\ was read by direction of the speaker,
The opening words OF the message con
graduated the country on the result Of tbs
c election and created broad smile Tho
( democrats as wcli AS the republicans seem
| irgly enjoying the remarks, which se0inct
{ to felioitate the president elected undor tn,
banner OF the republican party. The prgsi
dents expression on Cuba and Venezuela
q were listened to attentlyely, but there wor'
4 no demonstrations, either when he an
I nounced that the administration some
/ months ago had suggested home rule 70
Cuba or when he announced the termina
ton OF the controversy between Great Bri
tain and the United States over the Venc
I zuolan boundary line.
The reading of the message occupied on
hour and forty minutes At Its CONCLUSION
g on motion Of Mr. Dingley. the message Wa
a referred to the committee of the whole q
l. | the state OF the Nation.
Mr. Turner of Georgia then formally an
nounced the "uutimoly death" Of his lat
A colleague, ex-Speakcr Crisp, and state
q that al some future day he would ask tn
house to fix a day for paying tribute e
If his distinguished character and emlren
4 public services.
\ A resolution presented by him reciie
g that the house had heard with profoun
Il regret the announcement of Mr.. crisp
, death and was adopted after which, at 2 4
!, ms further respect the house iminedatcl
| adjourned until tomorrow.