The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-12-17
SENATE.

tors being visitors to Washington who
had embraced the opportunity to wit
ness o congressional opening. The
desks of the members were loaded with {
the most beautiful and elaborate floral ]
displays. Promptly on the stroke of
twelve Vice President Hobart entered
and ascending to his desk raped for
order. Rev. Mr.. Milburn, the vener-
able blind chaplain, in a profoundly
impressive manner, returned "deVout
and reverent thanks for Gods good
ness to us as nation, and for His care
of us since we last gathered in this
chamber" A call of the senate de-
veloped the presence Of sixty-seven
members. The usual resolutions were
offered and adopted. The reading of
the presidents me. sage occupied two
hours and eighteen minutes, and not
the slightest demonstration occurred.
At 3:45 p m. the senate adjourned.
TUESDAY The first note of the an
ti-expansionists was sounded in the
senate today by Senator Vest of Mis-
sour, who introduced joint rCso!u-
ton. denying the nation power to &C
quire territory to be held as colonies,
A brief discussion of the navigation
laws was precipitated by the consider
alton of bill amending those laws by
the addition of provision that foreign
built vessels wrecked in the United
States, purchased by citizens of this
country and repaired to the extent of
three-fourths of their value, shall be
subject to forfeiture if they engage
subsequently in the coastwise trade of
the United States. Mr.. Vest and Mr..
Gallery, of Louisiana, opposed the
bill. Finally it was made q special
order for next Monday. At 1870 the
senate adjourned.
WEDNEsDAY.-At the opening Of the
senate's session today, Mr.. Hawley,
Connecticut, chairman of the military
affairs committee, introduced bill for
the reorganization of the regular army.
Mr.. Hoar, of Massachusetts, secured
the adoption of resolution that o
committee Of seven senators be ap-
pointed to whom shall be referred that
part of the presidents message which
relates to the celebration of the cen
tennial of the city of Washington as
capital of the United States. At 1926
pm, on motion of Mr.. Lodge, the
senate went into executive session.
Upon the resumption of business in
open session communications were re-
ceived from the house announcing the
death during the recess of Represent
alive Stephen A. Northway, of Ohio,
and William F. Love, of Mississippi.
On motion of Mr.. Foraker, of Ohio,
in respect to the memory of the de-
ceased, the senate at 2;20 pm. ad-
journed.
THURsDAY.-The senate held a short
session today and then adjourned I'M
til Monday after making the Mica
ragua canal bill the unfinished bust
ness before that body. Mr.. Morgan
called up the measure, whereupon Mr..
Pettigrew moved to adjourn. This
motion failed, 10 ayes to AZ noes, and
the bill was brought forward. Adj
journment was Immediately taken.
During the session Mr.. Vest stated his
opposition to the hurried manner of
passing pension bills in the senate and
gave notice he would insist upon q
quorum being present when pension
bills were being acted upon.
HOUSE.
MoNDAY.-Exactly at noon Speaker
Reeds gavel came down with sharp
crack and the house of representatives
entered upon the closing session of
the memorable war congress. The
scene within the great hall was ANNA
ted, brilliant and picturesque. At the
conclusion of the chaplain's prayer
the speaker announced tn It the first
business in order would be the call Of
the roll to determine the presence of
quorum. While the responses were
being made, Gen. Wheeler, of Ala
bama, came in and took his seat in the
row Immediately in front of the speak
er's stun. He was instantly sur
rounded by half dozen membe s and
received the ovation of the day. A
resolution was also adopted instruct
ing the clerk of the senate that the
house was ready to proceed to bust
ness. The house then took q recess
until 80 to await the arrival of the
presidents message. The seal of the
envelope in which the message was
contained was broken by the speaker
himself and it was Immediately laid
before the house. The members on the
floor and spectators in the galleries
settled themselves in their seats and
gave the reading their most earnest
attention, There was no expression
of approval or disapproval throughout
the reading. As soon as the reading
was concluded the message was ordered
printed and then at $3.50 pm. the
house adjourned.
TUEsDAY.-The house was in ses-
eioD loco 4boD sbolf on bour +o5oU