The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-07
CONGRESS MEETS AGAIN.
THE OPENING DAP OF hi FIRST
REGULAR SESSION.

New GnVel Made OF Apple "oou-Gon-
spicuous Floral OTerinEs TO Ohio Men In
both Bouses-The Presidents NessaEc Read.
WARRINGTON, Lee. 6.-As smoothly as clock.
work the first regular session OF the Fifty-ifth
Congress began its work to-day. Nothing was
done in either house, however, beyond the start
ing Of tho machinery and listening to tho read
ing OF the Presidents annual message. When
that was o yer both houses adjourned
until tomorrow at the usual hour Of meeting,
IL o'clock. The usual great opening day
crowd Of sightseers was on hand. Although
they saw very little TO repay them for their long
wait in the overheated galleries. they seemed to
be glad that they had come out into the bright
sunshine Of the perfect December day to wei.
come the statesmen, big and little. back to
Washington.
The floral display In both houses was very
elaborate. Tho most conspicuous exhibit in the
House was that placed upon the desk of Gen.
Grosvenor Of Ohio. the statistician Of tho Ad-
ministration and the warm personal and politi.
cal friend Of President Mckinley, whose prom.
Use In bus message to- day to uphold and extend
civil service reform is rather embarrassing to
Grosvenor, because he has undertaken the task
Of giving tho system It's death blow. Grosve-
nor's floral tribute camo from tho Wool Growers
Association of Ohio, and represented Q tree of
hoWOASs WAN u Whito WVohy iouo lying on IL
green lawn beneath it--a lamb that when
touched In the right spot would give forth a
loud sand pIaintive ''baa." MIR. Grosvenor's
friends found 90 much amusement in causing
the lamb to bleat that the animal had to be re-
moved from tho chamber In order to put the
House in readiness for the rapping Of the
Speakers gavel and the Offering Of the Chap
lain's prayer.
Speaker Reed was the target Of all eyes. for
the members on tho floor and the spectators In
the galleries seemed never to tire Of studying
his interesting personality. He looked to-day
as strong, as forceful, and as picturesque as
ever, and when he said In his sharp but SIM
ple way to the Sol members present, THE
House will be in order" it was very plain that
he meant just what he said.
The House proceedings prior to the reading
OF the Presidents message were uninteresting.
After prayer by the Chaplain. the Rev. Henry N.
Couden, the roll Of members was called and
then the members-el were sworn in. They
were: F. NJ. Griffith, DEM, successor to the late
Judge Holman in tho Fourth Indiana district;
James Norton Of the Seventh South Carolina
district, In place of John L. McLaurin, now Q
Senator; H. s. Boutell Of Chicago, who sue
ceeds Edward d. Cooke, deceased; George p.
Lawrence. Rep, who takes the seat of the late
Ashley b.. Wright of the First Massachusetts
otA@ uhU " Va 1855 DShh'p VAN n eAo
place of Francis II. Wilson. Rep. OF Brook
lyn, who resigned some weeks ago to become
Postmaster.
The gavel with which Speaker Reed called
the House'to order was made by J. G. Groner,
Sheriff Of Knox county, Tenn, on behalf of the
Btalwart Republicans of east Tennessee. 1t was
presented to the Speaker by the Hon. II. c.
Evans, Pension Commissioner. and J. NJ. Bishop
Of the Auditors office. The head was made of
apple wood from a tree which was near The log
house in which Admiral FarraRut was born.
This house stands at Loves Ferry. Tennessee
River, six miles below Knoxville. The roll Of
members was then called. ,
The Speaker having appointed all of his COM
mittees before the close of the extra session
last summer, the wheels are all creased for
the work Of the Congress and 1t will begin at
once with the hope of making the session u
short one. The committees will soon begin to
report back Il portion of the vast number of
bills introduced, the numerous contested cleo
ton cases will be acted upon in their order. the
money bill will be framed by the Appropria-
lions Committee, and the Speaker will soon
have the great mill grinding its regular grist.
> e-President Hobart called the Senate to
order at noon, and announced the opening of
the session with prayer by the Chaplain. The
Chaplain spoke OF tho natio MS heart beating
reverently by the bedside of the Presidents
mother, and prayed for her quiet and peaceful
passage to The celestial world" The roll OF
Senators vas then called. and Sc venry-seven
responded, showing the absence Of only twelve.
In the Senate, as in the House, 1t was an
Ohio man who got the most conspicuous floral
offering. Great number Of Senators received
the great bunch Of red roses on the desk OF
Senator Foraker sent by his 'admiring Repub.
ali. senator ssasnos Hanna HEiaTi oosed '& at 0 It. and s so@e
said obviously. but no Jealousy was apparent In
the greeting be extended to his colleague. Tho
their seats behind modest offerings OF flowers,
and seemed happy and contcnted as any of tho
seventy Senators present. Senator Walcott who
man o Of ' the fPresid Ss Is Continuation nGaHpi n' Of anf 81.
e %fSall!S E1 on both rs sids esa ct lie s sSs@bel by m hia
returned with he promise Of England, 70 join
In the House the Speaker appointed Repre-;
Ohio. ReppblicanS, and Bailey Of Texas, Demo.
Srat, as the Committee q Notification 70 wal!
S Sppo baS se rassaGe Allison MOE Of sfifi oSa. Rspu bHesT'
and Senator German Of Maryland, Democrat
as The like on the part Of the senate
Executive. Mansion, On their return, when
Senators Allison and German stood before, the
Vice.President to announce the result of their
mission, all the Senators and all the people In
lhe galleries wondered why the polite and suayt
tSSt the seG Presid sml'S Saps sd N wneh good oe " Mould re-,
oNO
suit TO the country and honor be reflected upon
itself from the work of the newly assembled
lawmakers. AS Senator German stood there.
calm and dignifed, beside his Republican col
league. the expression seemed TO be on evers
tongue: Poor German, no will never Ill thai
office again." This may be q mistaken notion
however, for the Congressional directory shows
that Mr.. Germans term of office does not expir,
until 1899 and that another session will NEE
before that date.
The reading Of the Presidents message occu
pied over one hour in each House. In the Sen
ate it was laid on the table. In the House /
was referred to the Committee Of the Whole
and ordered printed.
The death of Senator George Of Mississippi
was announced In the Senate by Mr.. Walthall
In the House Mr.. Lawrence. the successor o
ASHER Is. Wrie hit OF the First district OF Mas
sachusetts, announced the death of his prede
cessor on Aug. IA, He was followed by Mr.
Allen OF Mississippi, who announced the dealt
on the SANE day OF Senator James 2. George Q
his state. Tho customary resolutions provid
ing for immediate ad adjournment on such occa
sions were introduced and adopted In boil
houses.
The senate's work for the session has no
yet been mapped out, and conferences of boil
parties will be held Immediately 10 arrange al
order of business. The Committee on Foreigl
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