The Portland daily press., 1897-12-07

washington, December 6.-The attend
ance upon the session of the Senate to-
oay, both on the floor and in the galleries,
was notably large despite the well under
stood fact that little business was done
beyond the presentation of the Presidents
message. Prior to the converting of the
Senate the members passed half an hour
IN exchanging greetings Mr.. Hanna of
Ohio, who has been i'll for week, was
given cordial reception by his Republi-
can colleagues. Mr.. Wolcott of Colorado
was also given a warm greeting. DR.. W.
Il. Hunter Of Kentucky, the recently ap-
pointed minister to Guatemala. was an
interested spectator of the proceedings
Charles P. Bryan. the new minister to
China, was 3 notable figure in the Ie-
served gallery and In the oiplomtic
gallery were several members of the
Chinese legation and other members of
the diplomatic corps. When the Senate
convened after the recess, Hon. FL. d. S.
Money. the new Senator from Mississippi
entered the chamb ber, but the oath of Office
was not administered to him during the
session.
The important and only feature of the
day was the reception and reading Of the
Pres1dent's message.
Precisely at twelve O'Clock the gaveI Of
Vice President Hobart fell and the
Senate was called to order. The inyoca-
tion was delivered by Rev. w. a. Mil
burn, the blind chaplin. He made q
beautiful and touching reference to our
beloved President, who awaited news
from the bedside of the mother to whom
ne Is devoted, and prayed that she
| ,irrl,f n ~
celestial shore. Seventy seven Senators
responded to their names on the roll-cal1
The venerable Mr.. Morrill, Of Vermont,
was first recognized by the Vice Presi-
dent. He offered a resolution, which was
adopted in the usual form, that the sscre-
tary inform the House that the Senate
was in session and ready to proceed to
business.
Mr.. Allison presented resolution that
a committee of two Senators be appointed
to join like committee from the House
to inform the President that Congress
was in session and prepared to receive
any communication which he might de-
sire to make 10 it. The resolution was
adopted and the Vice President named
Senate committee.
By resolution by Mr. Cullom, the time
of daily meetings of the Senate was fixed
at 12 O'Clock noon.
On motion of Mr.. Hale, recess was
then taken until one o'clock
AT l.30 the Senate reconvened and the
committee consisting of Mr.. Allison and
Mr.. German, reported through the
former. He said the committee with a like
committee of the House had waited upon
the President and informed him that the
two branches Of Congress were in session
and ready to receive from him any mes
sage he might desire to present to Uhem.
Mr.. Allison reported that the President
had informed the committee that he
would Immediately communicate with
Congress and he expressed the hope that
the deliberations of the Congress might
result in great good to the country, and
reflect honor upon itself
The Presidents message was then pre-
sented by Mr.. Pruden, the Presidents s
assistant secretary, and at l. So laid before
the Senate and read.
ESenators vesclosest attention to the
reading OF the messaage majority of
them following 1t from printed copies
with which they had been supplied.
That part of the message that dealt
with the Cuban question was listened to
with particular interest.
3 The reading Of the message concluded
at $50 The document was ordered
printed for the use of the Senate
Mr.. Walthall OF Mississippi was recog.
nized and announced the death of his
colleague, Hon. James George of Missis-
sipi. After LINGERING Illness, Senator
George died at Mississippi City, on the
l4th of August last. BY his death, said
Senator Walthall, the State of Mississippi
lost it's most useful and distinguished
citizen and this body one of its most
prominent and able members Mr..
Walthall presented the usual resolution of
coincidence with the family of the de-
ceased Senator. The resolution was
adopted and as further mark of respect
the Senate adjourned until tomorrow.