The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-08

briliancy Of the House landscape and
filled the air with the sweet, keen scent.
But IN the midst of this general reioic-
ing there was an air of sadness as mem
beFs glanced at the black pail which
covered the conspicuous desk Of the late
hX-Speaker Crisp, the Democratic lead
er- On 1T We're some cut flowers. His
portrait in the lobby in the rear of the
House was also wreathed with Gala
lilies
AS the hands of the clock pointed to
twelve, Speaker Reed quietly entered the
haL and ascended the rostrum. He was
attlred in black frock coat and looked
br0nzed and vigorous. The silver mace.
the emblem Of the authority of the House
was lifted to its place on the green mali
chete pedestal to the right of the rOs-
trum and with sharp crack of the gavel,
the speaker called the house to order.
Rev. Cowden, of Michigan, the blind
chaplain of the House, offered the inyoca-
ton Ills prayer was simple but impress
sive
The roll-call showed the presence of
"a members AS soon as the speaker
announced the presence of a quorum and
that the House was ready 10 proceed to
| business dozen members demanded rec
ognltlon, but the speaker first received the
usual message from the Senate, stating
that the Senate had a quorum present
and was ready to proceed to business.
j. William Stokes, from the Seventh
Congressional district Of South Caro-
lima, and Charles J. Boatner from the
Fifth district Of Louisiana were sworn
| in.
The usual formal resolutions were
| adopted, providing for the appointment
| Of committee to join a similar commit
| tee Of the Senate and inform the Presi.
| dent that the House was ready to pro-
| ceed to business, and another directing
the clerk to inform the Senate that the
House was prepared to proceed.
| The speaker appointed Mr. Cannon,
of Illinois, Mr.. Payne of New York, and
| Mr.. Turner, Of Georgia, to constitute
the committee. The selection of Mr..
/ Turner was considered a significant in
dication that the Georgia member would
succeed ex-Speaker Crisp as a member
Of the committee on Rules. In order to
await the report OF the committee the
| House, on the motion Of Mr. Henderson,
OF Iowa, took a recess until 1870 D. m.
At 1:30 p. M, the committee not having
returned from the White House, the
House took a further recess until 2
o'clock.
! At o'clock the committe appeared.
Immediately afterwards Mr.. Pruden, the
| Presidents executive clerk, presented the
| message, which was read by direction of
| the Speaker.
The opening words of the message con
| graduating the country on the result of
| the election created a broad smile, the
/ Democrats us wen as the Republicans
| seemingly enjoying the anomalous polite
| al condition which allowed a Democratic
President to felicitate upon victory
| gained under the banner of the RepubH-
| can party The Presidents expressions
on Cuba and Venezuela were listened to
| attentiyely.
The reading of the message occupied
| one hour and forty minutes. At its con-
clusion, on motion of Mr. Dingley, (Re-
| publican, Maine) the message and accom-
panying documents were referred to the
| committee of the whole on the State of
the Union. Mr. Turner, Democrat,
| Georgia., then informally announced the
| untimely death of his late colleague. ex-
| Speaker Crisp, and stated that at some
future day he would ask the House to
fix day for paying a tribute to his dis
| tinguished character and eminent public
| service
/ A resolution presented by him reciting
| that the House had heard with profound
| regret the announcement of Mr.. Crisp's
| death, was adopted, after which, at 3:45
| p. m, as a further mark Of respect the
| House Immediately adjourned until to-
| morrow.