Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-29

dimes in a box. Just one wave of applause
swept from floor to ceiling. and then the
death of Representative Simpkins. of Mass
achusetts, was announced and the house
adjourned.
Fifteen minutes before the house con-
vened the floor was cleared. The diplomatic
and executive galleries shortly afterward
were opened and before the gavel fell at
noon not a seat was vacant. Altogether
there were an unusually large number of
ladies in the galleries and their gay spring
costumes added much to the b%rilliancy of
the notable scene. Chairman Dingley and
Mr.. Bailey and the other leaders entered
the hall without demonstration. At eN-
actly u o'clock the speaker assembled the
rostrum and called the house to order.
Amid the impressive silence that followed
the blind chaplain delivered a solemn
prayer, which rang through the hall like
a warning. He referred to the storm clouds
that hung above the country, threatening
to break at any time. He prayed to God
to interpose His power that these clouds
might pass away, leaving US in peace and
tranquility. Yet, II war must ome," he
prayed, 'in vindication OF the truth and
justice, mercy and right, help us to be pre-
pared with brain and heart and Drawn to
meet it. To this end be with the president
and the cabinet, our counselors and all Of
ficially connected with the affairs of state
There were no preliminaries. While the
journal was being read. Chief Executive
Clerk Pruden appeared with the message,
which was announced as soon as the read
ing Of the journal was concluded. The
thronged galleries were hushed as the clerk
carried the document down the main aisle
and placed 1t on the speakers table. Speak
er Reed himself broke the large red seal OF
the envelope and. without so much as look
ing at the message, handed it to the clerk.
at the same time announcing in a clear. dis
tinct voice, "a message from the president
of the United States"
No presidential message was ever listened
to with such breathless interest. Mem
bers sat with intense faces. straining to
catch every word.
When the reading of the message was
concluded, a wave of applause swept over
the floor and galleries. h speaker i'm
mediately announced the reference of the
message to the committee on foreign rela-
lions under the rules.
Mr.. Bailey, the Democratic leader. arose
and said he understood the message would
take that course without debate. under
the rules. but asked II the report of the
board of inquiry had not accompanied the
message.
The speaker replied that a foot note to
the message contained the information that
the report and testimony had been trans
mitted to the senate.
Would 1t be in our power to ask unan-
imous consent to set apart Wednesday for
the consideration of the message?" asked
Mr.. McMillin, Democrat. of Tennessee.
The chair thinks not" replied the
speaker.
Meantime. Mr.. Walker, Republican. of
Massachusetts,, was on his feet and when
recognized he announced. as dean of the
delegation. the death Of his colleague. Rep
resentative Simpkins. The usual resolu-
tons were adopted. the speaker appointed
eraI: Messrs. Gillett, Mccall, Moody and
Lowering. of Massachusetts,; Cousins. of
Iowa: Foss. of Illinois: Littaeur. of New
York; Newlands. of Nevada. and Berry.
of Kentucky: and then. at 12:1S p. m, the
house. as a further mark of respect, adj
iOurned.