The herald., 1897-12-07
IN THE HOUSE
The Big Crowd Finds Proceedings
Rather Dry

day of the regular session in the house
passed without unusual incident of any
character The formalities attending the
Inauguration Of the session were dry,
and, except as spectacle. hardly re-
paid the crowds which thronged the
public and private galleries. Yet, with
few exceptions, the visitors sat through
the whole proceedings.
Mr.. Dingley, the floor leader of the
majority: Mr.. Bailey, the recognized
leader of the minority, and Mr. Gros-
venor of Ohio enjoyed the distinguished
honor Of being appointed to wait upon
the president, whose message was, of
course, the event of the day. Its read
ing was long and tedious, but it was fol-
lowed with close attention by the men,
bers and the spectators in the galleries.
There was no demonstration until the
reading was concluded, when the Re
publicans Joined in a hearty expression
of approval. Immediately after the
reading of the message the house ad-
journed out Of respect to the memory
of Senator George of Mississippi and
Representative Wright of Massachu-
Getts. who had died during the recess.
The House of Representatives pre-
sented an animated appearance long be-
fore the arrival of the hour of noon.
The surrounding corridors were filled
with jostling, moving crowds, and be-
fore IL o'clock the encircling galleries,
which overlook the floor, were black
with people.
The hall buzzed with the subdued hum
of conversation as the members ex-
changed greetings and chatted in
groups The leaders who were eagerly
pointed out from the gallery, were also
slow in putting in their appearance.
Statesmen, like ordinary mortals, have
an eye for dramatic effect
Chairman Hit of the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee and Chairman Waller
Of the Banking and Currency Commit
tee whose positions will probably bring
them into the public eye during the ses-
sion, were early on the floor, mingling
with their colleagues.
The floral tributes of the members
were numerous and in some instances
imposing. One, which attracted prob
ably more attention than any other on
account of it's unique character, graced
the desk of General Grosvenor of Ohio.
1t consisted of a huge tree of yellow
Chrysanthemums and American beauty
roses, under the nodding branches OF
which stood an innocent toy lamb. 1t
was a tribute from the National Wool
Growers Association. Some one dis
covered that under the administration
Of pressure to a portion of the lambs
anatomy it would give forth a sound
resembling a bleat and much amuse-
ment and merriment followed this dis
closure.
The representation of a huge gavel
In red and white carnations, stood upon
the Speakers table.
At fifteen minutes before noon the floor
was cleared of all persons except mem.
bers and officers. Soon afterward Mr..
Bailey of Texas, the leader of the minor
ity, and "Siiver Dollar Bland of Mis-
souri, entered the hall together Mr..
Dingley, the floor leader of the Repub-
licans, smiling and affable as ever came
in just before the Speaker appeared. AS
the hands of the clock pointed to II
Speaker Reed, attired in a black cut
away coat and wearing red tie, pushed
through the doors from the lobby and
ascended the rostrum.
One crack Of the gavel subdued the
din on the floor and the conversation in
the galleries. The gavel with which the
Speaker called the House to order was
presented to him by j. c. Groner, Sheriff
of Knox county, Tennessee, who sent It
In the name of the "stalwart Republic
ans of East Tennessee" 1t was formally
presented to the Speaker by II. Clay
Evans, the Commissioner of Pensions
The gavel is made of apple tree wood
which grew beside the log house in which
Farragut was born at Loves Ferry, on
the Tennessee river, six miles below
Knoxville.
In the deep silence which followed the
calling of the assemblage to order, the
prayer of the Rev Charles A. Berry of
Wolverhampton England, who delivered
the invocation, was solemn and impress
sive. The Speaker then Immediately di-
rectd the Clerk to call the roll, and this
consumed half an hour
In the diplomatic gallery We're Mr..
Lefevre, charge daffaires, and other
diplomatic attaches of the French en-
bassy; Senor Correa, charge d'affaires
of the Greater Republic Of Central Amer
fca and other diplomats. In the execu-
tive gallery, reserved for the President
We're q number of the executive house
hold, who We're admitted on cards from
Secretary Porter. On the floor were a
number of ex-members.
The roll call showed the presence of