Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-07
IN THE SENATE
Galleries Filled With Spectators = Senators
Pay Close Attention 10 the Message.

Washington. Dec. 1.-THE atteHoahce
upon the session Of the Senn.s .;o soe a., :,
notably large despite the Weli-understoo1
fact that little business was done beyond
the presentation of the Presiueni H, ~,
SAGE Prior to the converting OF inc
Senate the members passed half an hour
in exchanging greetings. IN
Mr. Hanna of Ohio who has been III
for Il week. was given & cordlai recePtio'h
by his Republican colleagues MI. Voc
colt of Colorado. was also gwen IL "ariH
greeting.
Gently appointed minister 10 e', ,t .'i
was an interested spectator OF the pro-
cee6ings. a.
China. was notable rgnre III , ,,ni,a r~
were members of the Chinese. legation
and other members of diplomatic corps;
When the Senate convened after the
recess Hon d. Mone ente 1nd n the
chamber. hut the oath of Office was not
administered to him during the session;
The important and only feature of the
day was the reception and reading of the
Presidents message.
(The message will be found IN 1uli on
pages and H.
The Senate chamber at the opening of
the session was Il veritable conservatory.
The floral display was unusually rich and
beautiful and the door of flowers was
heavy IN the nan.
The Republican members were particu-
larly well remembered with floral pres
ents. One of the most notable of the
Offerings both for size and beauty, was
that presented to Mr.. Foraker of Ohio, a
magnificent tree of American beauty
roses set in a stand of evergreens and
ferns from the senator's Republican
friends of Columbus Ohio
Among the other senators who received
flowers We're Messrs Proctor of Vermont.
and Hawley of Connecticut. who received
punches of roses.
Half an hour before the Senate con-
vened the public and executive and re-
served galleries We're filed with specta-
tors TO witness the opening of the session.
The handsome costumes of the ladies
added much to the brightness of the
scene.
President Hobart fell and the Senate was
called to order. The inyocation was de
livered by Rev. w. Fl. Milburn. the blind
chaplain. He made beautiful and
touching referen, Q to our beloved Presi-
dent, who awaited news from the bed
side of the mother to whom he is de-
voted and prayed that she might have
a peaceful passage to the celestial shore.
Seventy-Sevcn senators responded to
their names on the roll call.
The venerable Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont.
was first recognized by the vice president.
He offered resolution. which WAS
adopted in the usual form, that the secre-
tary inform the House that the Senate
business.
Mr.. Allison presented a resolution that
= committee OF two senators be appointed
to Join Il ike committee from the House
to inform the President that Congress
WAS IN session and prepared to receive
any communication which he might de-
sire tn make to it.
The resolution was adopted and the vice
President named Senators Allison and
German as the Senate committee.
by resolution By Mir Cullom, the time
Of daily meetings OF the Senate was fixed
Ut Il q clock, noon.
ON motion of Mir. Hale. Il recess was
tilen taken until o'clock.
At $50 the Senate recoHvened and The
committee consisting of AIR. Allison and
Mr.. German. reported through the for
ner He said the committee with a like
committee of the House had waited upon
the President and informed him that the
two branches Of Congress We're in session
and ready to receive from him any mes
sage he might desire to present to them.
MIR. Allison reported that the President
had informed the committee that he
Congress and he expressed the hope that
the deliberations of the Congress might
result in great good To the country. and
reflect honor upon itself.
The Presidents message was presented
by Mr.. Pruden the Presidents assistant
secretary, and at 1.35 laid before The
Senate and read.
The senators gave the closes: attention
of them following it from printed copies
with which they had been supplied.
That part of the message which dealt
with the Cuban question was listened to
with most interest.
The reading of the message was con-
Guided at 80. The document was ordered
printed for the use of the Senate.
Mr.. Walthall. Miss. was recognized and
announced the death of his colleague.
Hon. James Il. George of Mississippi.
After a lingering illness. Senator George
died at Mississippi City, on the 14th of
August last. By his death. said Senator
most useful and distinguished citizen and
this body one of it's most prominent and
able members.
Mr.. Withall presented the usual reso-
luton of coincidence with the family of
the deceased senator. The resolution was
adopted and as a further mark of respect,
the Senate adjourned until tomorrow.