Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-03-11
THE OLD AND THE NEW.
Fifty-fourth Congress Dies and the fifty
nth Is Ready for business.


of the Fifty fourth congress found the
Senate with decks almost cleared. All
of the appropriation bills were
passed excepting the general deficiency
bill which was allowed TO go over. The
bill was passed providing for a labor
commissioner To investigate the condi-
ton and needs of labor and report
within two years. No action was
taken on the Presidents veto of the
immigration bill. President Ste
venson temporarily surrendered his
chair to Mr.. IIoar, of Massachusetts,
when a resolution was offered by Mr..
Morrill,, of Vermont, and was unani-
mously adopted, rendering to the vice
president the thanks of the Senate for
the digpified, impartial and courteous
manner in which he had presided over
its deliberations. A resolution TO the
same effect was offered by Mr.. Faulk
ner, of West Virginia, thanking Mr..
Fry, of Maine, as president pro tenn,
the terms used being courteous, dig
uified and able" Senators Hoar, of
Massachusetts, and Brice, of Ohio,
were appointed to notify the President
of their readiness to adjourn unless he
had some further communications TO
make. At 1915 Mr.. Hoar reported
that the committee had been requested
by the President to extend his con-
gratulations to congress and the
country and to say that he had no fur
Their communications to make. As
Ia ha x,in
president-elect was announced, and all
stood up while Mr.. Hobart walked
down the aisle TO the presidents
desk and took chair there reserved
for him to the right of Vice Presi-
dent Stevenson. At 1928 the Pres
ldent and President-elect were an
nounced, and the assemblage stood
while Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Mckinley
walked slowly up the main aisle and
took the seats reserved for them.
Then, in the presence of the Senate,
the House, the President and Presi-
dent-elect and the diplomatic corps
Carrot a. Hobart took the oath of
Office as vice president, and took the
chair. Mr.. Stevenson delivered fare
well address after which VicePresi-
dent Hobart called upon the blind
chaplain, Rev. Milburn, for prayer and
then the vice-president declared the
Fifty-fifth congress opened, after
which he made speech and called
upon the senators present to take the
oath of office. All present were sworn
in and at 1888 the Senate was declared
adjourned for the day. HoUsE.-The
appropriation bills were all passed and
the House adjourned sine die and the
Representatives marched over TO the
Senate wing to participate in the cere-
monies there as related above.
McKinIey's Cabinet Confirmed.
The Senate of the Fifty-fifth con-
gress continued in extra session, with
VicePresident Hobart presiding, to
transact such business as was required
by the induction of a new chief execu-
tive, The IS sainOlortant matter after
the forming of the new Senate was the
confirmation of President McKinley's
cabinet. as follows:
Secretary of State, John sherman, of
Ohio.
Secretary of the Treasury, Lyman j.
Gage, of Illinois.
Secretary of War, Russell A. Alger,
OF Michigan.
Attorney-General, Joseph McKenna,
of California
Postmaster-General, James A. Gary,
of Maryland.
Secretary of the Navy, John d. Long,
of Massachusetts.
Secretary of the Interior, Cornelius
\. Bliss. of New York.
Secretary of Agriculture. James Will
son, of Iowa.
a compliment was paid Mr. Sherman
in the immediate confirmation of his
appointment, while the others were
referred to committees. Mr.. Gage
met with some opposition from silver
Senators on account of his gold views.
Senator Teller was the principal
speaker. and he rubbed Mr.. Bliss be-
cause he was business man and not a
lawyer and, according to the Senator,
this untitled him for the interior port
folio All the nominations were finally
confirmed, however, and then Senator
elect Hanna, of Ohio, was sworn in.