Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-12-17

AuuNC CfttNtlN0 WIN oiiNSA ahh oAA
mounted by a silver eagle was lifted
into place upon Secretary Green's
marble pedestal, the spreading folds
of American flags were broken to the
breeze about 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 ami
mated, brilliant and picturesque.
The sea of desks within the brass
rails which cut off the Hobbies, spread
ing i'm semi-circular lines from the
speakers rostrum like waves from Q
center, were a veritable flower gar
den, a majority of the members were
in their places, while the encircling
galleries were banked to the doors
with people. The assembling OF q ses-
sion of congress Is always q great mag.
net for the multitude, but the attrac-
ton today was fraught with the added
interest of all the memories which
cling about the war congress, the tri-
umphs and reverses of the recent po-
litical battle at the polls and the
eagerness TO hear the presidents mes
sage, with its review Of events which
have crowded the stage during this
memorable year, and it's recommended
tons of policies for the future. The
public seemed TO feel this was an
epoch making session, and ror hours
before noon, a steady stream OF peo-
pie debouched the corridors into the
galleries, and even the private CALLER
les were crowded before the hour of
converting, and they contained many
persons distinguished in social and Of
fetal life. The dainty creations OF
millinery art and brilliantly superb
gowns gave color to the picture.
The members began arriving before
IL and the hall soon commenced 10
buzz as they exchanged greetings,
congratulations or condolences.
For those who had gone down at the
November elections there were eX-
pressions Of sympathy; for those who
had been victorious, words Of congrat.
ulation. Some Of the members had
regular levees as they appeared. This
was remarkably true OF w. A. Stone OF
Pennsylvania, Mr.. Sayers of Texas and
Mr.. McMillin, Of Tennessee, each OF
whom was chosen governor OF his re.
spective state at the recent election.
llCit ullu aiNlN hOut lht lllOhk
was al officer in full uniform, an un.
wonted figure OH the floor and a vivid
reminder Of the war.
The floral tributes which the scurry
ing pages bore into the hall and to the
desks of those for whom they were de-
stined were much more numerous than
usual. Some of them were of gigantic
size, completely co~ncealing their re-
cipients. There were huge baskets OF
roses, anchors, horseshoes and floral
pieces OF many designs.
At 11:45 the floor was cleared OF all
those not entitled TO that privilege.
The leaders as a rule were late in ar.
irving, but as they appeared they were
surrounded and cordially greeted. Mr..
Hit, of Illinois, chairman OF the COM
mittee Of foreign affairs; Mr.. Dalzell,
OF Pennsylvania, one of the members
Henderson, of Iowa, Of the same COM
mittee, were each given an ovation.
Mr.. Dingley, the floor leader of the
majority, and Mr.. Bailey, the minor.
ity leader, came in simultaneously
from the Hobbies Of their respective
sides. Mr.. Bailey went Immediately
to his seat and Mr.. Dingley, as soon as
he could ~disengage himself from the
friends who crowded about him,
crossed over to the democratic side
and shook hands with his political adj.
NersaTy. As the hands 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 assembled the
rostrum. A wave of applause swept
the floor and galleries upon his APP
pearancc. \ light smile played over
his benign features ms he raised his
gavel aloft. When that fell with a re-
sounding whack a hush fell upon the
vast a~ssemblage. The blind chaplain
stood in his place. A moment the
speaker waited with every eye riyeted
upon him. Every member rose to his
feet and many of those in the galleries.
''The chaplain will offer prayer" an
nounced the speaker i'm low tones.
Heads were bowed reverently as the
chaplain in eloquent tones invoked the
divine blessing, giving praise for the
victory that had attended u arms
and the peace which had come, and
asking for strength and wisdom to
meet the new problems which con-
fronted the nation.
At the conclusion OF the chaplain's
prayer the speaker 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 General Wheeler, OF
Alabama, came in and took his seat in
the row Immediately in front of the
speakers rostrum. He was instantly
surrounded by half a hundred mem
bers and received the ovation OF the
day.
Three new members-Charles Dick
Of Ohio, Thomas Spight Of Mississippi
and W.. II. Graham of Pennsylvania
were sworn in.
The usual committees, including n
to call on the president to notify him
the house was in session, were appoint
ed and a recess taken.
On ~reconyening at 1880 p. III. the
committee to wait on the president re-
ported that the president would COM
municate Immediately in writing, and
at the same time the executive clerk
appeared with the message and it was
at once laid before the house. Its read
ing was listened to with the utmost
attention.