The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-07
SPEAKER REED In A RED TIE
Starts the Legislative Grist Mill Of The
House on It's Work Of Making Laws.
PRESIDENTS MOTHER REMEMBERED
By Chaplain MiIburn Ina His Invocation In
Beautiful and Touching Reference
The Usual Gay Scenes AT the Open
ing of Both Houses.

WASHINGTON. d. C.. Dec. G.-At noon
to-day the first regular session Of the
Flfty-af.h Congress was launched upon
the unknown seas Of legislation. simulta-
neously al both ends OF the capitol,
speaker Reed. in the House and Vice
President Hobart in the Senate, dropped
their gayels and called to order the re-
spective bodies over which they preside.
A BRILLIANT AsSEABLAGE
Long before the time of assembling, the
crowds began vending their way 20 the
American acr0pOlis. The representative
for foreign governments; the social lead
ors, and everybody who Is anybody IN
Washington, goes thither on TINS u'y'
The floral tributes for the members
were numerous and I'm some instances I'M
posing. one. which attracted perhaps
more attention than any other on account
Of ns unique character graccd the desk
OF General Grosyenor of ONO IL ,o"-
sisted of "a hugo tree of yellow cHrys"h-
thomums and American beauty rosf9' W.
der the nOddIng branches OF "hi.h o'D"n
am innocent looking 10Y lamp' !. N"9
tribute from the National WOOL Aaaoe'N-
ti0n. \ huge gavel In red ana Ni'l'', -. -
As tho hands of the clock ponted 'o 'no
bour of twelve. Speaker Reed. attircd IN
"a black cutawav coat and wearing reo
tio pushed through the green bal@o oo"tS
from the lobby and ascended the fosliuih'
In tho deep silence which followed 'he
,,ui,., of the assemblage 10 order the
praver of the eminent English DIVINE
Rey Charles T.. Berry, Of Wolvern"mp-
tom ENGLAND. who delivered the inVocA-
tion. was solemn and impressive. ne
snealrer then Immediately directed the
clerk 10 call the roll.
The roll-call showed the presence OF
g1l members There were 1--WE Nacanei'a
from death or resignation during lhe i'-
cess and the credentials OF the mem
bers elected were offered by direction oil
tho erell,er who then administered the
oath of onlce to them. They We're
y. Griffith dDemJ successor 10 lle i''o
Judge Holman. of the fonrlh iiidlti.'
district. IT, 5. B0utelle Nfscp-l Oh
capo. who succeeds Edward u. Cooke
do.eaeed. lanes Norton Dem.) OF the
Seventh south Carolina district, VINO sue
ccedd John t.. Mciaurin. now Sena-
Tor. George p. Lawrence, Kfp) OF the.
rrirst Nassachusotts district. who sue
ceedcd Ashley 3. Wright deceased ana
n Grirgs DemJ Of the Third Ne"
York district. who succeeded Francis ''
Wilson. who resigned no accept the po-
sition of postmaster of Brooklyn Ine
lattcr's credentials had not' yet arflN,u'
but the oath was administered to hlu
by unanimous consent.
READY FOR BUSINESS.
ON motion of M. Hopkins 0iep. or llii-
roie, tbe clerk was directed 10 notify
the senate that ne House was ready lor
business and on motion OF Mr.. DinsieN'
"a resolution was adopted for the appoint
uent of a committee of three 10 JOIN the
committee OF tho Senate TO wait upon the
President and inform him That congress
was ready 90 receive any commnnl'"lio"
he desired 10 make. Tho Speaker soc
lectcd Alessrs Dinglcy. Of Maine 'io7-
vcnor of Ohio. and Bailey, OF IeNas' TOT
This honor
ON motion N Mr.. Henderson, of Iowa.
"a member of the Committee on RULES.
the rulo go the extra session for three
day aliourumcuts was vacated and daily
sessions to begin at noon each day were
ordered. There being nothing 10 40 but
await the reception of The president 8
MESSAGE the House took recess.
Tho House reconvcnod at l:i0 when the
committee appointed 20 wait upon the
President came down the centre aisle ana
Nlr. Dinglcv reported that the commit
tee had performed its mission.
.Tnc Pressidcn" said ho was pleased
to send 10 the two Ilousef his respectfuul
saiutations ana 10 inform them that he
would communicate I'm writing
AR. prudens. who had followed the
committee into the hall Immediately pre-
srntcd the message ~ the President
which bv the direction NJ the SPEAKER
was read nj the clerks desk-Crhe paper
appears In another column Of The Times