The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-08
Proceedings Limited TO Bead
ing of the Message.
WAS a BRILLIANT SCENE
A Reunion of the Leaders AT
ter the Campaign.
The DEAD ex-seEAKsR's DESK
Picturesque Gallery Personages--Span-
tsh Secretary Hears the Message
Turner, of Georgia, For Com
mittee on Rules.

Washington, ID. c.. Dec. THE re-
assembling Of Congress to-day for the
closing session Of the Fifty fourth Con
gress was an occasion of unusual bril-
Hancy and interest. The opening day
is always a gala affair, marking as it
does the official inauguration Of the
social as well as the political season in
Washington, but to-day it was all the
more interesting because Of the long and
hard fought political battle that had been
waged during the recess.
\ serene blue sky shone over all, the
airrwas mild but bracing.
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 fami-
| lies Of Senators, were many Of the wives
| and daughters Of those prominent on the
| floor
The Senators were rather late in ar
| irving. The venerable white-haired,
white mustached Mr.. Harris, Of Tennes-
see, was the first arrival. He was join
| ed soon after by Mr.. Faulkner Demo
craft, Of Virginia, and the two chatted
while the galleries filled Mr.. Palmer
| (Democrat, of Illinois, came about II 80
/ and was a center of interest from the
| galleries, owing to his prominence in the
recent campaign. Mr.. Tillman Demo
craft, Of South Carolina, also came in
| for considerable attention, as he went
| to his desk and busted himself writing.
| There was plenty of color to greet the
| Senators, for the floor of the chamber
| looked like a conservatory, with many Of
| the desks bearing superb floral decora-
/ tions, the Republicans Senators being
| particularly remembered. Only a few
| tributes appeared on the Democratic
side.
| Exactly at II O'Clock the President
| entered the chamber and going to the
| desk. of the presiding officer, gave a tap
| which brought the Senate to order, while
| the blind chaplain, Rev. DR. Milburn,
| delieyered an impressive Invocation.
/ 4he roll call showed seventy Senators
| presenA Mr.. Cullum was the first to re-
| ceiye recognition, and his resolution that
| the House Of Representatives be notified
| that the Senate was in session and ready
| to 0fqceod wish business, was agreed to
| without comment Mr.. Hale followed
| with a resolution that the daily hour for
/ meeting be II o'clock Meridian, which
was agreed to.
Il
| ton for a committee of Senators and
| members TO wait upon the President and
| upon its adoption the presiding officer
named Mr.. sherman and Mr.. Smith
| tDemocrat), of New Jersey, as the Sena-
| tors Of the committee.
| AT 1915 p. m the Senate took a recess
until / O'clock.
| AT ! o'clock there was a further recess
| for thirty minutes
AT l:30 the Senators who had waited
on the President had not returned and
| there was another recess until I 40 D. m.
Senators Sherman and Smith. walked
down the middle aisle Of the Senate when
the session was resumed and the Ohio
Senator briefly reported that the Presi-
dent had been waited upon and would
communicate his views in writing.
Secretary Pruden, of the White House
staff Immediately stepped forward, mes
sage in hand and made the formal an
nouncement of a communication from
the President. Tt was taken to the pre-
siding officers desk, where the seal was
broken and thereupon General Cox, Sec
retary of the Senate began reading the
document.
Most of the Senators remained in their
seats while the reading of the Presi-
dents message proceeded and followed it
with close interest through the early
stages. Printed copies were distributed
and the Senators ran through these, pick
ing out the salient features and antici-
pating the formal. reading.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British am
bassador and the new Turkish minister
Moustapha Bey, were present. Senor
Dupuy De LONE, the Spanish minister
was not in attendance during the day,
but two of the secretaries of the Span
ish legation carefully noted the refer
ences to the Cuban conflict. Minister
Hatch, Of Hawaii, and Mr.. Cooper the
Hawaiian minister of foreign affairs were
listeners, although the message contained
no reference to the Hawaiian islands.
The reading of the message closed at
1886 p. m. having taken just one hour
and fifty minutes. The Presidents clos
ing references to trusts and monopOlies
was carefully followed by Mr.. Sherman,
author OF the antitrust law to which |
the President referred. After the usual
formality of laying the message on the |
table the Senate on motion of Mr.. Hale,
Republican, Maine,) adjourned.
SESSION OF THE HOUSE.
While the scenes attending the open |
ing of the House were both brilliant and /
interesting in the crowds that thronged |
the galleries and the conspicuous person
ages present the proceedings themselves /
were distinctively routine.
Under the rule the floors are not clear
ed until Is minutes before the hour for
assembling. Pages were scurrying about
carrying to the seats Of members flowers
and floral pieces from constituents or
admiring friends. This heightened the /