Arizona republican., 1896-12-08
CONGRESS AGAIN AT WORK.
The National Legislative Mill
 Resumes Grinding.
Interesting Scenes and Incidents of the First Days Proceedings CroWos of Curious Spectators Swarm the GalarieS.

months of it's life. Unusual interest attached to the days proceedings. Months had elapsed since the leading representatives of the different parties had met face to face, and in view of the fact that one of the most stupendous political contests in the history of the country had been waged meanwhile there was general desire to see these men and observe their actions.
 As early as 10 o'clock Pennsylvania avenue in the vicinity of the capitol began to take on an air of animation which had been foreign to it for some time. A procession of people passed by the Peace monument and climbed the stairs leading to the western en- trance to the great building on the hill. Better posted ones took the cable or electric cars and were landed on the plateau where but few steps were necessary to be taken to bring them to the senate or house elevators. The weather was delightful, and the assemblage far in excess of the seat ing capacity of the galleries.
 Fully one thousand visitors were lined up in the corridors leading to the house galleries a half hour before the time set for the proceedings to begin. Although there was little probability of any of these gaining an entrance the crowd did not diminish perceptibly until after the adjournment The door keepers had their hands full in keep ing back the struggling mass .of hu- manity. On the senate side of the capitol the throng was almost as great. The gallery doors were thrown open at 10 o'clock and the space was well filled by Il.
 The senate chamber has been greatly improved during the recess. The un- gainly settees have been replaced by opera chairs which are very comfort able. On the floor the chairs of the senators are of one pattern. In days gone by senators were permitted to gratify their individual taste in chairs, and the result. was a collection that did not add to the beauty of the cham Der. When thSssenators began to as semble they found thenselves the focus of thousand or more pairs of eyes in the galleries above. There were hund- reds of women among the spectators, and they displayed the most intense interest. One by one the senators passed through the swinging doors leading from the cloak rooms and ex- changed greetings. There were doz- ems of floral tokens on as many desks, and each recipient displayed pardon able curiosity to ascertain the name of the donor. It was plain to all ob- servers that the sound money Repub- licans were in better spirits than their Popocratic neighbors They laughed and chatted with each other and ex- changed congratulations on the out come of the election. The Democrats and silver Republicans were subdued, as rule. Sound money Democrats like Brice of Ohio, Caffery of Louis jana and Villas of Wisconsin, indicated by their actions that they were we'll satisfied with existing conditions. Jones of Arkansas looked conscious as he swung into the chamber.
 While the senators were shaking hands and indulging in the courtesies incident to the reassembling of the body the north door leading to the senators lobby opened and the vice president entered. It was MT. Steven sons first public appearance since the election. He, too, wore subdued air. He shook hands with the blind chap lain, Milburn, and also greeted several of the senators who stood near. A minute or two before 12 o'clock he as- cended to his seat and picked up the funny little handleless gavel which for years has been used by himself and his distinguished predecessors. As the clock indicated the hour of F MT Stevenson brought it down on the table before him with a sound which put an instant stop to the hum of conversa- tion. The senators hurried to their desks and then all stood silent while the blind chaplain invoked the divine blessing His prayer was short The moment it ended the senate was its old time self again, ready for the fray
 The roll call showed seventy sena tors to be present.
 Senator Cullom was the first to re ceive recognition. He offered a reso. lution that the house be notified thai the senate was in session and ready tt proceed with business. It was agreed to.
 Senator Hale followed with a resolu tion that the daily hour for meeting bt F meridian. This also was agreed to
 Senator Sherman made the custom ary motion for a committee of sen ators and members to wait upon tn president. Upon it's adoption the pre- siding officer named MT. Sherman ant MT. Smith OemocraD as the commit tee for the senate.
 Senator Morrill, of Vermont (Rep