The record-union., 1897-12-07
Senate and House simultaneously
Called 10 Order.
Corridors Of the Capitol SWarmed With
People to Witness the Opening.
Large Attendance Of Members in
knowledge That Little Beyond
the Presentation of the Presi-
dents Message Would be Trans
acted.

acted.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-At noon to-
day the first regular session of the
Fifty-fifth Congress was launched upon
the unknown seas of legislation. Simul-
taneously at both ends Of the Capitol
Speaker Reed in the House and Vice
President Hobart in the Senate drop
ped their gavels and called to order
the bodies over which they preside.
The sun shone brilliantly from a
cloudless sky, making glorious bright
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 fagstaffs.
At the Capitol the crowds swarmed
into the corridors at an early hour,
and choked the marble steps as they
ascended to the galleries from which
they were to view the show. AS is
usual on such occasions, the reserved
galleries We're carefully guarded, ad-
mission being only by card, and the
public had great difficulty in wedging
itself into the limited space set aside
for it.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The at
tendance upon the first session Of the
Senate to-day was notably large, de-
spite the well-understood fact that lit
tie business, beyond the presentation
of the Presidents message would be
transacted.
Prior TO the convening of the Senate
the 10 .mbe1s passed half hour in ex-
changing greetings. Mr.. Hanna of
Ohio. who had been i'll for several
weeks. was given g. cordial reception by
his Republican colleagues. Mr.. Wolcott
OF Colorado. one CT the members of the
international Monetary Commission,
was also given warm greeting. DR..
W Godfrey Hunter of Kentucky the
recently appointed Minister to Guate-
maIa, waA an interested spectator In
the proceedings and sat beside his
friend, DR.. Deboe. Charles Page Bry-
an, the new United States Minister to
China. was a notable figure in the re-
served gallery, and in the diplomatic
gallery We're several members of the
Chinese Legation and other members
of the diplomatic corps.
When the Senate convened after the
recess, Hon. H. d. S. Money, the new
Senator from Mississippi, entered the
chamber, but the oath of office was
not administered to him during the
session.
The reception and reading of the
Presidents message was the only feat
ure of the day.
Precisely at noon the gavel of Vice
President Hobart fell, and the Senate
was called to order.
The invocation was delivered by Rev.
w II. Milburn, the blind Chaplain. He
made a beautiful and touching refer
ence to "Our beloved President" who
awaited news from the bedside of his
mother, to whom he is devoted, and
prayed that she might have a peaceful
passage from the terrestrial sphere.
Seventy-seven responded to their
names on the roll-call.
The venerable Mr. Morrill, of Vermont
was first recognized by the Vice-Presi
dent He offered a resolution, which
was passed in the usual form, that the
Secretary inform the House that the
Senate was in session and ready to
proceed to business.
Mr. Allison of Iowa presented a reso-
luton that a committee of two Sena-
tors be appointed to join like commit
tee from the House. to inform the Pres
ident that Congress was in session, and
prepared to receive any communication
which he might desire to make to it.
The resolution was passed, and the
yice-P1 esident named Allison and Cor
man as the Senate committee.
By resolution of Mr.. Cullom of Illi-
nois the time of daily meetings of the
Senate was fixed at II noon.
On motion of Hale of Maines a recess
was then taken until L O'Clock.
At 1:30 the Senate assembled, and
the committee, headed by Mr. Cor
man, reported He said like commit
tee from the House had waited upon
the President and Informed him that
the branches of Congress We're in ses-
sion, and We're ready to receive from
him any message that he might desire
to present TO them.
Mr.. Allison said that the President
would communicate to Congress in
writing. and he expressed the hope that
the deliberations of Congress might re-
suit III great good to the country and
reflect honor upon itself
The Presidents message was pre-
sented by Mr. Pruden, the President S
Assistant Secretary, and at 80 o'clock
laid before TIN. Senate and read.
Senators gave the closest attention
to he reading Of the message. a ma
jority of them following it from printed
copies. That part of it which dealt
with the Cuban question, and outlined
the policy of the Administration with
reference to that question. was listened
to with particular interest.
The reading of the message was con-
cluded at o:05. The document was
ordered printed for the use of the SEM
ate.
Mr.. walthal of Mississippi was rec
ognized. and announced the death OF
his colleague. Hon. ]. z. George. at Mis-
sissippi City on the 1tth of August
last by his death, said Senator Wal
thail. the state Of Mississippi lost. it's
most useful ard distinguished citizen.
and this body one Of its most prominent
and able members.
Mr. Waltha:l presented the usual ,as-