River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-12-09
CONGRESS IN SESSION.
The National Legislature Get. Down
TO business

The National Legislature Gets Down
to Business.
Washington, Dec. THE hall of
representatives presented an animated
appearance long before the hour of
noon arrived. The surrounding cor
ridors were filed with jostling. moving
crowds and before IL o'clock the en-
circling galleries which overlooked the
floor were black with people. The
tlcral tributes for the members were
numerous, and. in some instances. i'm
posing.
As the hands of the clock pointed to
IL Speaker Reed, attired in a black cut
away coat and wearing a red tie,
pushed through the green baize doors
from the lobby and assembled the ros-
trum.
In TIE deep silence which followed
the calling of the assemblage 10 or
der the prayer of the eminent divine,
Charles 4. Berry, of Weaverhampton,
England, who delivered the invocation,
was solemn and impressive.
The speaker then Immediately direct
ed the clerk 10 call the roll, and this con-
sumed half an hour.
The roll call showed the presence of
sol members. There were five vacan-
cies from death or resignation during
the recess, and the credentials of the
members-elect were read by the direc-
ton of the speaker, who then admins
tered the oath of office 10 them. They
were: F. NJ. Griffith (dem.), successor
10 the late Judge Holman in the Fourth
Indiana district; III. S. Boutelle (rep.),
of Chicago, who succeeded Edward ID.
Cooke, deceased; James Norton (dem),
of the Seventh South Carolina district,
who succeeded John i. McLaurin, now
n senator; George +. Lawrence trep,),
OF the First Massachusetts, district,
who succeeded Ashley Il. Wright, de-
ceased, and J. y. Griggs (dem.), of the
Third New York district, who succeed
ed Francis L. Wilson, who resigned to
accept the position of postmaster at
Brooklyn. The latter's credentials had
not yet arrived, but the oath of Office
was administered to him by unanimous
consent. On motion of Mr.. Hopkins
(rep., Ill.) the clerk was directed to noti-
fy the senate that the house was ready
for business, and on motion of Mr.. Ding
ley, the floor leader, a resolution was
adopted for the appointment of a COM
mittee of three to join the committee of
the senate to wait on the president and
inform him that congress was ready
to receive any communication he de-
sired to make. The speaker selected
Messrs. Dingley (Me), Grosvenor (O)
and Bailey CTeX.) for this honor.
When the house reconvencd at l 40 p.
m. he committee appointed to wait on
the president came down the center
aisle and Mr.. Dingley reported that the
committee had performed its mission.
Mr.. Pruden, who had followed the
committee into the hall, Immediately
presented the message to the president,
which, by the direction OF Speaker
Reed, was read at the clerks desk.
On motion of Mr.. Dingley the mes
sage was referred TO the committee of
the whole and ordered printed. Mr..
Lawrence rep, Mass.) then officially
announced the death of his predecessor.
the late Representative Wright, and
Mr.. Allen (dem.. Miss.) the death of
Senator George. Out of respect TO their
memories the house then, at 3;05 p. m,
adjourned until to-day.
Washington, Dec. The senate
chamber at the opening of the session
was a veritable conservatory. The for
al display was unusually rich and
beautiful and the odor Of flowers was
heavy in the hall. Precisely at Il
o'clock the gavel of Vice President Ho-
bart fell and the senate was called to
order. The invocation was delivered
by Rev. W. II. Milburn, the blind chap
lain.
Seyenty-seven senator's responded to
their names on the roll call. The VEN
cradle Senator Morrill,, Of Vermont. was
first recognized by the vice president.
He offered a resolution, which was
passed in the usual form, that the sec
rotary inform the house that the senate
was in session and ready to proceed to
business.
Senator Allison Qa) presented a
resolution that a committee of two
senator's be appointed to join a like
committee from the house to inform
the president that congress was in
session and prepared to receive any
communication which he might desire
10 make to it. The resolution was
passed and the vice president named
Senators Allison and German (Md.) as
the senate committee.
At 1880 the senate reconvened and the
committee consisting of Senators Al
lison and German reported through the
former. The presidents message was
presented by Mr.. Pruden, the presi-
dents assistant secretary, and was at
1855 laid before the senate and read.
Senator'S gave the closest attention to
the reading of the message, a majority
OF them following it from printed cop
les with which they had been supplied.
The reading of the message was con-
cluded at $3.50. The document was or
dered printed for the use of the SEN
ate.
Senator Walthall (Miss.) was recog-
nized and announced the death Of his
colleague, Hon. James 4. George, of Mis-
sissippi. Senator Walthall presented the
usual resolution of coincidence with the
family of the deceased senator. The
resolution was adopted, and as fur
Their mark of respect the senate adj
journed.