Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-12-06
FIFTY FIFTH CONGRESS,
WAsH1NeToN, Dec.
SENATE.


The Senate chamber at the openiro
OF the session to-day was veritable
conservatory. TIE floral display was
unusually rich and beautiful, and the
odor of flowers was heavy in the hail
The republican members were particn.
larly we'll remembered with floral pres.
ents. One of the most notable of the
offerings, both for size and beauty. was
that presented to Mr.. Foraker, Of Ohio
Mr.. Butler, of North Carolina. re.
ceived q horseshoe of roses. The
public and executive and reserved
galleries were filed with spectators to
witness the opening of the session the
handsome costumes of the ladies adding
much to the brightness of the scane
The invocation was delivered by Rev
w. Fl. Milburn, the blind chaplain
He made reference to "our beloved
President" who awaited news from the
bedside of his mother.
The usual committee was appointed
to inform the President that Congress
was prepared to receive his message.
A recess was then taken until
o'clock.
When the Senate reconvened the
committee consisting of Mr.. Allison
and Mr. German reported that a Ike
committee of the House that had waited
upon the President wonld immed.
lately communicate with Congress in
writing and the Presidents messsc,
was presented before the Senate and
read.
Senators gave the closest attention
to the reading of the message, major.
ity of them following it from printed
copies with with which they had been
supplied.
That part of the message which dealt
with the Cuban question and outlined
the policy OF the administration with
reference to that question was listened
to with particular interest.
HOUSE.
The House OF Representatives present.
ed an animated appearance long before
the hour Of noon arrived. The surround.
ing corridors were filled with iostling.
moving crowds and before II o'cloci;
the encircliug galleries which overlook.
ed the floor were black with people.
The floral tributes for the members
were numerous and in some instances
imposing. Mr.. Jones was the orly
Virginia member who received one.
One crack of the gavel subdue.i the
din on the floor and the conversation
in the overhangipg galleries. The
gavel with which the Speaker called
the House 10 order was presented to
him by j. G. Groner, sheriff of Knox
county, Tenn, who sent it in The name
of the "stalwart republicans of east
Tennessee"
Rev. Charles A. Berry, of Wolyar-
hampton, England, delivered the inyo-
cation.
10 the reserved and diplomatic GAL
leries were many distinguished people,
who attracted much attention.
The roll call showed the presence OF
S01 members. There were five vacan-
cies from death or resignation during
the recess and the credentials OF the
members elect were read and the oath
of Office was administered to them.
Mr.. Griggs's credentials had not yes
arrived but the oath was administered
to him by unanimous consent asks d by
Mr.. Hurley. When the Speaker asked
if there was any doubt of Mr.. Griggs's
election MIR. Bailey, of Texas, raised
laugh by the statement that as Mr..
Griggs was democrat the fact tia, he
was vouched for by republican ought
to be sufficient evidence, in all cor
science, to set at rest all doubt as to his
election.
A resolution was adopted for the ap.
pointment of a committee OF three to
join the committee to wait on the Pres.
dent and inform him that Congress was
ready to receive any communication he
desired to make. The Speaker selected
Messrs. Dingley, Grosvenor and Bailey
for this honor.
The House then took recess to
await the Presidents message.
The message was then read and lis
tened to attentively.
After the reading of the message both
houses OF Congress adjourned until to-
morrow.
STATE SENATE COMMITTEES -Ncw 1ogie1a