The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-12-22
MEETING OF THE SENATE.
Vice-President Hobart Calls tho Body to
Order and Work Begins.

OEQ0I anu "OTA DokAhbs
WASHINGTON, D. G. Especially The Sem
ate Chamber at the opening OF the session
was veritable conservatory. The foral
display was unusually rich and beautiful,
and the odor Of flowers was heavy In the
hall.
Half an hour before the Senate convened
the public and executive and reserved gal
lsries were filed with spectators to witness
the opening Of the session. The handsome
costumes Of the women added much to the
brightness ofthe scene.
Vice-President Hobart called the Senate
to order at noon, and announced the open
ing of the session with prayer BY the
Chaplain. The Chaplain spoke OF the ma
tion's heart beating reverently by the bed
side Of the Presidents mother, and prayed
celestial world" The roll Of Senators was
then called, and seventy-seven responded,
showing the absence OF only twelve.
The usual committees to notify the
President and the House that the Senate
was In session were then appointed, after
which q recess was taken. At 1.30 the
Senate reconvened and Immediately the
Presidsat's message was presented by Mr..
Pruden, the Presidents Assistant Secre-
tary. The reading of the message was con.
eluded at $50. The document was ordered
Mr.. Walthal then announced the death
Of his colleague, Senator James q. George,
Of Mississippi, and offered the usual reso-
luton of coincidence with the dead Sena-
tors family. This was adopted, and as
further mark Of respect, the Senate ad-
iourned.
a THE HOUSE ASSEMBLIES.
sn..h.r Raed starts tho Proceedings
With . Now Gavel.
WASHINGTON, D. G. (speciaD The Hall
of Representatives presented an animated
appearance long before the hour OF noon
arrived. The surrounding corridors were
filed with jostiing, moving crowds. and
before II O'Clock the encircling galleries
which overlooked the floor were black with
people.
The representation Of huge gayel, IN
red and white carnations, stood upon the
Speakers table. Many members also were
remembered with floral offerings from ad-
miriig friends and the chamber looked a
bower OF roses. As the hands Of the clock
pointed to the hour Of II, Speaker Reed,
attired In black cutaway coat and wear
ing red tie, pushed through the green
baize doors from the lobby and ascended
the rostrum. -..--- -
One crack Of the gayel subdued the din
ON the floor and the conversation In the
overhanging galleries. The gavel with
which the Speaker called the House to or
der WAS presented to him by J. G. Groner,
Sheriff of Knox County, Tennessee. The
gayel Is made OF wood Of an apple tree
which grew beside the log house In which
Farragut was born. This house stood 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 English pastor. the Rev.
Charles A. Berry, Of Wolverhampton, Eng.
land, was impressive. The Speaker then
directed the Clerk to call the roll.
The roll call showed the presence OF 30l
members. There were five vacancies from
death or resignation during the recess and
the credentials Of the member5-elect were
read by the direction OF the Speaker, who
then administered the oath OF office to
them. They were F. NJ. Griffith (Dem.) !,
successor to Judge Holman, Of the Fourth
Indiana District; H. s. Boutelle (Rep.), OF
Chicago, who succeeded Edward D. Cook,
who died recently; James Norton Dem.) !,
Of the Seventh South Carolina District, who
succeeded John L. McLaurin, now q Sena-
tor; George P. Lawrence (Rep.), Of the
First Massachusetts District, who succeed.
ed Ashley B. Wright. also now dead, and
z. Il. briggs Dem.), Of the Third New
York District, who succeeds Francis U.
Wilson, who resigned to accept the position
OF ofPostmaster of Brooklyn. There being
nothing to do except await the reception
Of the Presidents message, the House then
took recess until 1.20 p. m.
Upon reassembling the message was re-
eeived and read. The reading took an
hour and twenty minutes.
On motion OF Mr.. Dingley, the message
was referred to the Committee OF the Whole
and ordered printed. Mr.. Lawrence (Rep.,
Mass then officially announced the death
OF his predecessor, Representative Wright
and Mr.. Allen (Dem., Miss.) the death oi
Senator George. Out OF respect to their
memories, the House then, at 3.05p. M, ad.
journed.