Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-12-12
LAWMAKERS coNveNE.
First Days Proceedings of the Closing Ses
sion of the FIfty-Fourth Congress.

First Days Proceedings of the Closing Sea-
sion of the Fifty-Fourth Congress.
WASHINGTON. Dec a-The United
States senate began the second session
of the Fifty-Fourth congress with
crowded galleries and with that ac-
compartment of activity that usually
attends the reassem bling of congress.
1t was exactly IL o'clock when Vice
President Stevenson gave a tap which
brought the senate to order, while the
blind chaplain, Rev. DIR. Milburn, de-
Hvered an impressive invocation. The
roll call showed 20 senators present
Mr.. Cullom was the first to receive
recognition and his resolution that the
house of representatives be notified
that the senate was in session and
ready to proceed with business was
agreed to without comment Mr.. Hale
followed with a resolution that the
daily hour for meeting be 1e o'clock
m, which was agreed to.
Mr.. Sherman made the customary
motion for a committee of senators
and members to wait upon the presi-
dent and upon its adoption the presid-
ing officer named Mr.. Sherman and
MIR. Smith, of New Jersey, as the sem
ators of the committee
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, was the
first to suggest anything in the nature
several petitions asking for the pas
sage of the Dingley bill. He yielded,
however, to Mr.. Hoar's suggestion that
all business be deferred, as a matter of
courtesy, until the president and house
of represent atives had been comm uni
Gated with, and thereupon, at 1918 p
M, the senate took a recess.
At I:45 o'clock Mr.. Sherman report
ed that the president had been waited
upon and would communi cate his views
in writing. Secretary Pruden, of the
white house staff, then presented the
message and it was taken to the pre-
siding officers desk, where the seal
was broken and Gen. Cox, secretary of
the senate, read it
just as the senate was about to adj
journ at 3:35 o'clock. Mr.. Call, of Flor
ida, arose to offer a resolution, but
which he withdrew until to-day. 1t is
a joint resolution as follows:
Resolved. That the United States of America
recognize the republic OF Cuba free and
independent government and accord to that
people all the rights of a sovereign and indie
pendent government in the ports and within
the jurisdiction of the United States
The house met at noon and the chap
lain invoked the divine blessing on the
work of the session; the roll was
called; committee, consisting of Mr..
New York, and Mr.. Turner, of Georgia,
was appointed to wait on the president,
and the latter's annual communication
was read. The reading consumed
about two hours At its conclusion, on
motion of Mr.. Dingley, of Maine, the
message and accompanying documents
were referred to the committee OF the
whole on the state of the union.
Mr.. Turner, of Georgia, then inform
| ally announced the ''untimely DEATH
| of his late colleague, ex-Speal>er Crisp,
and stated that at some future day he
would ask the house to fix a day for
| paving tribute ito his distin guishec
| character and eminent public service u
| resolution presented by him, reciting
| that the house had heard with pro
| found regret the announcement of Mr..
! Crisp's death, was adopted. after
| which, at 3:45 p. m, as further mark
| of respect, the house adjourned until
to-day.
| THE FIRST APPROPRIATION BILL
| WASHINGTON, Dec S.-The first ap
preparation bill of the session was
| preparations yesterday and reported to
the house, so that it may be passed this
week. 1t is the pension bill, which
carries a total of S141, 263, $50, a de
| crease of about 500, 900 from the esti
mates of the commissioner of pensions
The bill making appropriations for the
| legislative, executive and judicial ex
penses of the government probab y
| will be reported to the house this week
| No AIN tn CL,D0EDS