The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-12-07
CONGRESS IN SESSION.
Speaker Reed and Vice President
Hobart Preside.
CROWDS WITNESS THE OPENING.

Animated Appearance In the Hall of Rep
resentatives-Roll Call Shows Five Va
cancies Caused by Death and Resignation
During the Recess-Tbe Sci ate Chamber
Turned into a yeritable Conservatory
Reading of the Message.
Washington, Dec 7.-At noon the first
regular session of the Fifty-hfth con-
gress was launched upon the unknown
seas of legislation. simultaneously at
both ends of the Capitol, Speaker Reed
in the house, and Vice President Ho-
bart in the senate, dropped their CAV
els and called to order the respective
bodies over which they preside. The
ceremonies attending the opening Of
congress, though comparatively of
routine character is a spectacle which
In some respects is regarded as the
greatest official event OF the year at the
national Capitol. The weather was
propiteous. The sun shone brilliantly
from cloudless sky, making a glorious
December day with a tinge of frost in
the air to invigorate the lungs and a
breeze just strong enough to keep the
stars and stripes swapping from the
nagstaffs. At the Capitol the crowd
swarmed into the corridors at an early
hour and choked the marble steps as
they assembled to the galleries from
which they were to view the show. AS
is usual on such occasions, the re-
served galleries were carefully guarded
on both the house and senate sides, ad-
missions being only by card and the
public had great difficulty in wedging
itself into the limited space set aside
for IT.
Scene In the House.
The hall OF representatives presented
an animated appearance long befo!c TIE
hour of noon arrived. The surrounding
corridors were filed with jestlng NOV
| ing crowds and before IL o'clock the
encircling galleries which overlooked
| the floor were black with people. The
| representation of a huge gavel in RED
I and white carnations stood upon the
| speakers table. Among others who
| were remembered with floral offerings
] were General Wheeler Of Alabama, Mr.
| Dovener of West Virginia: Mr.. Dalzel
| of Pennsylvania, Mr.. G. w. stone ol
( PENNSYLVANIA, Mr.. Henderson of Iowa
! Mr. Lacey of Iowa and Mr. Dayton OF
| West Virginia.
| At fifteen minutes before noon the
| floor was cleared Of al persons excep
members and officers. Soon afterwarC
| Mr.. Bailey of Texas, the leader OF tn
J minority. and silver Dollar Bland o
Missouri entered the hall together Mr.
Dingley. the floor leader Of the house
| smiling and affable as ever came II
Just before the speaker appeared. A
the hands Of the clock pointed to L
Speaker Reed, attired in black cut
away coat and wearing red tie, pushet
through the green baize doors from tn
lobby and ascended the rostrum.
I Five Vacancies in the House.
The roll call showed the presence o
3Ol members There were five Nacan
I cies from death or resignation durin
the recess and the credentials OF TN
| members-eleCt were read by the al
| rection of the speaker, who then al
| ministered the oath of office TO then
| They were r. NJ Gritth, Democrat, sue
! cessor to the late Judge Holman in IN
Fourth Indiana district; II. :. Bouteii'
Republican, of Chicago, who succeede
Edward d. Cooke. deceased Jane
| Norton. Democrat, of the Sevent
South Carolina district. who succeede
John L. McLaurin. now senator
George =. Lawrence, Republican. OF III
First Massachusetts district, who sue
ceeded Ashley h. Wright deceased, an
L.. y. Griggs. Democrat, or The Thir
New York district, who succeede
Francis L. Wilson. who resigned 10 az
cept the position Of postmaster
| Brooklyn.
In the deep silence which followe
the calling Of the assemblage to ord'
the prayer of the eminent divine, he
Charles A. Berry of Weaverhampto
England. who delivered the convoci
: tion. was solemn and impressive IT
speaker then Immediately directed II
I clerk TO call the roll, and this consume
a half hour
Committee to Notify President.