The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-07
Nothing Done in Either Branch After
the Presidents Message Had Been
Read by the Clerks.
PRETTY FLORAL TRIBUTES
MIR. GROSvENOR HAD A LITTLE LAMB
THAT CRIED "BA-BA."
Several Important Measures Intro
duced in the HOuse-POstal Saw
ings Bank scheme.
. iaa stssiIs

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6-Attendance on
the session Of the Senate to-day, both upon
the floor and galleries, was noticeaby
large despite of the well understood fact
that little business beside the presentation
of the Presidents message and the pro-
ceedings incident thereto would be trans
acted. Prior to the converting of the Sem
ate, the members passed half an hour in
exchanging greetings. Mr.. Hanna, of Ohio,
who has been Ill for a week, was given
cordial reception by his Republican col
leagues. Mr.. Wolcott. Of Colorado, one of
the members of the international monetary
commission was also given a warm greet
ing. DR.. w Godfrey Hunter of Kentucky,
the recently appointed minister to Gauta-
mala, was an interested spectator of the
proceedings from a seat beside his friend,
Senator Deboe. Chas Page Bryan, the new
United States minister to China, was
notable figure in the reserved gallery, and
in the diplomatic gallery were several men,
bers of the Chinese legation and other
members of the diplomatic corps. When the
Senate convened after the recess Hon. III.
d. S. Money, the new senator from Mis-
sissippi entered the chamber, but the oath
of Office was not administered to him dur
ing the session. Reception and reading of
the Presidents message was the important
and only feature of the day, The desks of
many Of the senators were decorated with
beautiful flowers, the gifts of admirers. The
handsome costumes of the ladies in the gal
lerics added much to the brightness of the
scene.
Precisely at 12 o'clock the gavel of Vice
President Hobart fell and the Senate was
called to orGer The invocation was deliv-
cred by Rev. w. H. Milburn, the blind
chaplain. He made beautiful and touching
reference to our beloved President" who
awaited news from the bedside of the
mother to whom he is devoted and prayed
that she might have a peaceful passage to
the celestial shore. Seventy senator's
responded to their names on the roll call.
The venerable Mr., Morrill,, of Vermont,
was first recognized by the vice president.
He offered a resolution, which was passed
in the usual form, that the secretary in
form the house that the senate was in Ses'
sion and ready to proceed to business.
Mr. Allison presented a resolution that
committee of two senators be appointed to
join like committee from the house to in
form the President that Congress was in
session and prepared to receive any com
munication which he might decide TO make
to It, The resolution was passed and the
German as the senate committee.
BY resolution of Mr.. Cullom the time
OF daily meetings Oh lIlH SeIldtc WdS nAtO
at IL O'Clock noon. On motion of Mr.. Hale
a recess was taken until o'clock.
At 1870 the senate reconvened and the
committee, consisting of Mr. Allison and
Mr.. German, reported through the former.
He said that the committee, with a like
committee of the house. had waited on the
President and informed him that the two
branches of Congress were in session and
ready to receive from him any message he
might desire to present to them. Mr.. AL
lison reported that the President had in
formed the committee that he would imme-
diately communicate with Congress in
writing and he expressed the hope that the
deliberations of Congress might result in
great good to the country and reflect honor
on itself.
The Presidents message was presented by
Mr.. Pruden, the Presidents assistant secre-
tary, and was at 1:35 laid before the senate
and read Senators gave the closest atten-
ton to the reading of the message major
ity of them following it from printed copies
with which they had been supplied. That
part of the message which dealt with the
Cuban question and outlines the policy of
the administration with reference to the
question was listened to with particular in
terest The reading of the message was con-
cluded at $50. The document was ordered
printed for the use of the senate.
Mr. Walthal, of Mississippi, was recog-
nized and announced the death of his COL
league, Hon. James u. George of Missis-
sippi. After lingering illness Senator
George died at Mississippi City on the 14th
of August last BY his death said Senator
Walthal, the State of Mississippi lost it's
most useful and distinguished citizen and
this body one of it's most prominent and
able members. Mr.. Walthal presented the
usual resolution Of coincidence with the
family of the deceased senator. The reso-
luton was adopted and as further mark
of respect, the Senate adjourned until to-
morrow.