The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-06

the American flag were broken to the
breeze above the brilliant, stained glass
ceiling and the House of Representa-
tives entered upon the closing session
of the memorable war congress.
The scene within the great hall was
animated, brilliant and picturesque.
fhe sea of desks within the brass rails
which cut off the Hobbies spreading in
semi-circular lines from the speaker
Tostrum like waves from a. center We're
a veritable flower garden. The public
seemed to feel that this was to be
an epoch making session, and for hours
before noon steady stream of people
debouched from the corridors into the
galleries. Even the private galleries
were crowded an hour before the hour
for converting.
The members began arriving shortly
before IL O'clock and the hail soon
buzzed as they exchanged greetings,
congratulations or condolences. For
those who had gone down at the No
Vember elections there were expressions
of sympathy, for those who had been
victorious, words of congratulations
Some of the members held regular
1evees as they appeared.
This was markedly true of Mr.. Stone
of Pennsylvania, Mr.. Savers of Texas
and Mr.. Mcmillan Of Tennessee, each
of whom was chosen governor of his
Here and there through the throng was
an officer in full uniform, an unwonted
figure on the floor, and a vivid reminder
OF the war
The leaders, as a rule, were late in ar
irving, but as they appeared they were
surrounded and cordially greeted. Mr.
Dingley, the floor leader of the major
fly. and Mr., Bailey, the minority leader
came in simultaneously. Mr.. Bailey
went immediately to his seat, and Mr.
Dingley, as soon as he could disengage
himself from his friends, crossed over
80 the democratic side and shook hands
with his political adversary.
AS the bands Of the clock pointed to
noon, the giant form of the speaker
pushed through the green baize doors
of the lobby in the rear of the hall. and
Mr.. Reed ascended the rostrum. A wave
of applause swept the floor and gal
leres upon his appearance. A slight
smile played over Ills benign features
as he raised his gavel aloft. When it
fell with a resounding Whack a hush
fell uDon the vast assemblage.
The chaplain, in eloquent words. in
Yoked the divine blessing, giving praise
Tor the victory that had attended our
arms and the peace which had come,
and asking for strength and wisdom to
meet the new problems which confront
cd the nation.
The speaker then announced that the
first business in order would be a call
Of the roll to determine the presence of
a quorum. While the responses were
being made, Gen. Wheeler of Alabama
came in. He was instantly surrounded
by half a hundred members and re-
viewed the ovation of the day.
The roll call developed the presence
Of 267 members 179 being a quorum.
Three new members We're sworn in
oYla faI- Of ID
of Mississippi, and William II. Graham
of Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Dingley, the floor leader, offered
the customary resolution flor the APP
pointment of committee of three to
Join similar committee of theSenate
10 wait upon the president and inform
him that the House was ready to re-
ceive any communication he had to
make. 1t was unanimously adopted
and the speaker appointed Mr.. Dingley,
Air. cannon and Mr.. Bailey. A reSOlu-
lion was adopted notifying the clerk of
the Senate that the House was ready
10 proceed to business. The House then
took recess until 1.30 o'clock. to await
the arrival OF the presidents message.
When the House reCOnVened after the
recess; the committee appointed to
wait upon the president appeared and
reported that they had DISCHARGED their
mission and that the president had said
ne would communicate with congress
Immediately in writing. Mr.. Dingley
mad hardly made this report before Ma
JoF Pfuden, the presidents executive
clerk, appeared and announced the mes
sage Of the president
The presidents review Of the causes
leading up to the war. the manner in
when the preparations for hostilities
We're made and the succession of vic
torres on land and sea were listened to
with rapt attention.
Inc other portions Of the message
were 1olloWed with almost as much in
leIest There We're no expressions of
reading. '-'e
AS soon as the reading was concIud-
ga, on motion of Mr. Dingley, the mes
cage was ordered printed. and then. at
''0o p m. the house adjourned.
representative Sulzer of New York
RANKING democratic member of the
mouse committee on military affairs in
lroduced q resolution "Authorizinee and
OIectlng the committee on military af-
Ialfs 10 Investigate the war department
ana the conduct of the Spanish-Amerf-
cSn war"
The resolution is as follows. GRE
solved, that the committee on military
a1alrs be. and the same hereby is, au-
thoilHeu and directed TO investigate he
war department and the conduct of the
recent war between Spain and the
United States, and report all of said
proceedings. with their findings. con
customs ana recommendations to the
House of Representatives with all CON
Nenient speed. That said committee is
hereby authorized and empowered to
SEND for books. documents, papers and
persons, examine persons under oath.
SIT IN any part of the United States;
employ stenogTapher, and that the
SerSeant-a arms is hereby directed to
attend said committee and its direc-
lions. That the necessary expenses Of
Inc investigation be paid out of the
contingent fund of the house"
The resolution was referred to the
committee on military affairs.
General Wheeler Of Alabama intro
duced, through Representative Stall
ing. resolution providing that Gin
recognition of the patriotic devotion
and bounteous benevolence of Miss Hell
en- Miller Gould to the soldiers of the
army of the United States during the
war with Spain, the thanks of congress
are hereby rendered her, and congress
hereby authorizes and directs that a
gold medal, with appropriate designs.
be prepared by the director of the mint.
and that said medal be presented to
her by the president of the United
states at such time and in such man
ner as he may determine"
Mr.. Moody of Massachusetts. intro
duced two bills to amend the wa. rev
enuee act, by providing that the ey-
press and freight clause in schedule
A shall be changed so that express
companies doing an annual business of
less than 100000 shall pay an excise
tax of l per cent Of their earnings in
lieu Of the stamp tax. Express com
panies earning more than the amount
n-Inu
the stamp clause"
Chairman Walker has called q meat