New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-07
PRICE THREE CENTS.
CONGRESS AT WORK AGAIN.
REGULAR SESSION STARTED.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE READ IN
SENATE AND HOUSE.

SENATE AND HOUSE
GLOOM CAST OVER THE OPENING CEREMONIES
BY MR. MKINLEYs DOMESTIC AFFLrcr1oN
THE USUAL EXCITING INCIDENTS
LAcKING-BorH BRANCHES AD-
JoURN OUT OF RESPECT FOR
DEAD MEMBERS.
fBT TELEGRAPH rRIsuNE.l
Washington. Dec. 6.-The grief which has ~.
Gently plunged the White House into unex-
pected gloom cast its shadow to-day over the
brief but usually spirited and light-hearted cer>-
monies which mark the opening Of the long or
odd-year session Of Congress The distressing
circumstances which attended the communities
ton Of the Presidents Message to the two
houses. the long and painful journey made by
him in order to receive the formal notification
that the LVth Congress was again prepared to
undertake the tasks Of legislation. the knowl.
edge that. this greeting over. he would %
forced to hurry away to shoulder once more the
burdens Of a great personal sorrow-all these
gave to to-day's function at the Capitol an un-
wonted air Of seriousness ard restraint. As was
to be expected. the chaplains OF both houses
voiced with sincerity and emphasis the deep
in his anliction; yet keener tribute than that
Of words was to be noted In the general tone Of
sobriety and sef-represson which characterized
both the proceedings on the floor Of each branch
and the demeanor OF the spectators in the two
sets Of galleries.
USUAL FEATURES LACKING.
The exigencies which called the Lvth Congress
into session on March 15 last had robbed to-
days ceremonies Of practically all their normal
dramatic and political interest. Both houses
having organized last spring. the usual excite
ments Of the opening day OF the long session
were strikingly lacking. No Speaker was 70 20
elected in the House OF Representatives; no seats
were to be disposed OF by raffle; no State delega-
tions were waiting to be sworn In by batches;
no inaugural addresses were to be delivered by
the political and parliamentary helmsmen 10
whom the guidance OF the two branches had just
been intrusted Budding statesmen were no
longer conspicuous for their newness. ana the
suner.eded veterans who had gone to the politi-
cal we'll once too often were already iad'nH
memory In both branches the freshness OF
legislative surroundings and experience had worn
off. and the usual first Monday n-December air
Of self-consciousness and parade had given
Mace TO an easy-ftting habit Of parliamentary
indifference and routine. The sole political In
,erest ~ the day centred In the Presidents Mes
sage 70 Congress after hearing which the two
houses In accordance with custom, adjourned.
BRIEF SESSION OF THE SENATE.
The Nret si.,lng of the Senate was an unusu.
ally placid and uneventful one. Seventy-seven
OF the eighty mine members OF the delioeratiVs
branch were present when vice-President Ho-
hart r4pped for order and announced that ths
second session of the LVth Congress nad begun'
Conspicuous In the front row on the Republican
side was the venerable Father Of the Senate
Justin s. Morrill,, Of Vermont. who. In spite OF
his eighty years. still devotes himsel 10
the work of politics and legislation with un-
diminished interest and energy. No great or
necessary occasion finds Mr.. Morrill, absent from
the chamber. and no Senator finds reader OF
more appreclative audience when. at stated ana
welcome intervals he takes the floor To his
left. on the end of the row. sat Mr. Frye, OF
Maine the President pro tempore OF the Senate,
brown from a summers rest and sport In Maine.
In the row behind was Senator Allison alert,
smiling and courteous. the personifcation OF the
public man off whose shoulders the most ardu-
Gus burdens OF public service roll noiselessly.
and on whose face the acrimonies OF politics
leave neither wrinkles nor scars Beside him
sat Mr. Aldrlch, Of Rhode Island, recognized
master Of tariff and revenue legislation. keen
and aggressive force in Republican councils. and
Senator Of great experience and usefulness.
The illness which took him from the floor dur
Ing the last month Of the debate on the Dingley
bill seems to have left no serious traces and. to
all Appearances he begins the session
physically robust and vigorous as ever.
Near Mr.. Allison and Mr.. Aldrich were clus-
tered several other active and influential Re-
publican Senators-Mr. Hoar. looking serene
and unruffied. In spite OF the examples Of sena-
torial degeneracy. real or fancied with which.
according to some critics. he is surrounded; Mr..
Wolcott. fresh from his bimetallic pilgrimage
abroad. and full of interest in the colleagues
who come to shake hands with him. Mr.. McMii-
Ian. Of Michigan. accomplished and broad.
minded an exemplar Of all that Is best and
soundest in the Senate OF to-day: Mr.. Lodge
intense. radical and untiring; Mr.. Spooner, Of
Wisconsin, eloquent. persuasive. courageous and
full OF tact and sense Many Of these and
otter Senator'S were half-hidden behind the
usual floral monstrosites which are supposed
to demonstrate the popularity If the recipient
and certainly show the donors misguided zeal
and taste.
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS MISSING
Each year seems to emphasize the passing Of
the older leaders on the Democratic side Of the
Senate. OF tie recognized champions Of other
years only handful remain. Mr. German
holds the centre Of the Democratic stage. a.
usual: but his place. too. is soon to be vacant
The Maryland leader looks as unconcerned and
irnpassve as II he had not met in last falls
campaign the first crushing disaster Of his long
political career. Grouped in the foremost rows
near by him are Senators Cockrell. Vest and
he nj x.1p nH
the Southern "old guard" In the rear are the
newer faces from the South and West-Tili.
man. McLaurin. Cay Bacon. Chiffon. McEnery
and Martn-all Of a school whose innovating
doctrines are a WEAKNESS of spirit to the de-