The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-12-07
CONGRESS MEETS
Usual Opening Formalities Oh.
served by the House and
Senate.
Presidents Annual Message De-
livered to and Read in
Both Houses.
Several New Members of the
House Take the Oath Of
Office.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.-At noon the
first regular session of the Fifty.fifth
congress was launched upon the un-
known seas of legislation. Simulta.
neously at both ends of the capitol
Speaker Reed in the house, and Vice
President Hobart in the senate, dropped
their gavels and called to order the
respective bodies over which they pre-.
side.
In the deep silence which followed
the call of the house to order the prayer
of the eminent divine, Rev. Charles A.
Berry, of Wolverhampton, Eng, who
delivered the convocation, was solemn
and impressive.
New Members Sworn In.
The speaker then Immediately direct
ed the clerk to. call the roll, and this
consumed half an hour. The roll call
showed the presence of 3O1 members.
There were five vacancies from death
or resignation during the recess, and
the credentials of the members-elect
were read by the direction of the speak
er, who then administered the Saith of
office to them. They were F. H. Gritth
Dem. }, successor to the late Judge Hol-
man in the Fourth Indiana district; H.
S. Boutelle (Rep.), of Chicago, who sue
ceeded Edward D. Cooke, deceased;
James Norton (Dem.), Of the Seventh
South Carolina district, who succeeded
John L. McLaurin, now senator; George
P. Lawrence Rep. }, of the First Mas.
sachusetts district, who succeeded Ash
ley B. Wright, deceased, and J. N.
Griggs dem. }. of the Third New York
district, who succeeded Francis B. Viii.
son, who resigned to accept the position
of postmaster at Brooklyn.
The latter's credentials had not yet
arrived, but the oath was administered
to him by unanimous consent.
On motion of Mr.. Hopkins (Rep.,
Ills. the clerk was directed to notify
the senate that the house was ready for
business and, on motion of Mr.. Dingley,
the floor leader, a resolution was adopt
ed for the appointment Of committee
Of three to join the committee of the
senate to wait on the president and in.
form him that congress was ready to
receive any communication he desired
to make. The speaker selected Messrs
Dingley (Me.), Grosvenor (O.), and
Bailey (Tex.) for this honor.
VIII Meet Daily.
On motion of Mr.. Henderson (Ia. } a
member of the committee on rules, the
rule at the extra session for three days
adiournments was vacated. and daily
sessions to begin at noon each day were
ordered. There being nothing to do but
await the receipt of the president 9
message the house then recessed until
1:20 p. m.
When the house reconvened another
recess of 70 minutes was ordered. When
the house reconvened at lao p. m. the
committee appointed to wait on the
president came down the center aisle
and Mr.. Dingley reported that the com.
mittee had performed its mission.
1.-THE president" he said, twas
pleased to send to the two houses his
respectful salutations and to inform
them that he would communicate in
writing"
Nr. Pruden, who had followed the
committee into the hall, Immediately
presented the message, which by the di.
rection of Speaker Reed was read at the
clerk S desk.
The message was listened to with
great eariestness especially the por,
tions dealing with the question of re-
vising our currency legislation and with