Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-06
FROM WASHINGTON
Correspondence Of the Alexandris Gazette.
WASHINGTON, April 6

w A5d1NOTON, AUIll U.
Never in recent years, if ever at any
time, has there been such demand for
admission to the halls of Congress as
was made to-day. People who sppre-
ciated what the condition of affairs
would be were at the doors of the big
building before 8 O'Clock, and they
were there in such numbers at that
time that when the doors were opened
not to exceed half of them could find
seats in the galleries of either the Sen.
ate or House. The people began to ar
rive at the east front of the Capitol as
early as 6 o'clock, and Notwithstanding
the fact that the thermometer register
ed below the freezing point, they took
their places at the doors and held them
with calm steadfastness and deter
mutation Of purpose worthy of most
important quest The arrivals were
scattering up to 7:30 o'clock, but after
hat hour they came in large groups,
and by $50 o'clock the concerted
grounds in front of the building were
we'll covered with struggling people
seeking ingress to the building in which
they evidently expected history TO be
uade during the day. The large stone
steps leading to the Senate and House
wings and to the rotunda were literal
ly covered When the doors were
opened they rushed into the Capitol
through the various openings like
water from a swollen river breaking
through 8 defective levee. In FIVE
minutes time all the public gale
ries were filled and the crowds in
the corridors we're so dense that it
was difficulty to believe that any bad
found seats and been removed from the
throDg. Within the people almost
overran the blue coated policemen who
struggled to hold them in check. In
great waves the ire sistible stream surg
ed on up the marble stairways to the
galleries, in front of the doors of which
the great mass pressed, women faint
ing in the press, old men and children
crushed by those behind. Special cards
had been issued and though many
failed to gain admission, owing to the
lateness of their arrival, those holding
special tickets were we'll cared for. On
the floor the greatest excitement and
activity prevailed. The leaders
rushed hlthes and thither rally
ing their forces. Rumors few
about. Here indignation was riot
against the report that the President
would ask for discretion as to when in
tervention should take place; there
Stsunch supporter of the President was
counselling calmness; here group was
discussing the probability of an alliance
between the democrats and the dissat-
listed republicans: there an appeal to
group of republicans YVES being made
to stand solidly by the President and
party organization. Tier upon tier
of people from gallery rail to wall
stretched in unbroken lines about the
pit where the members sit, the gay
colors OF the gowns and hats and flow
ers of the ladies relieving the sombre
black of the garmentS of the men.
After the galleries had been cleared
to-day Senator Davis explained the
reason for the delay IL sending in the
message. He said 1t vas DIE to tie
fact that there had been some delay i'll
getting Consul General Lee and other
Americans out of Havana and that
more time was absolutely necessary for
this purpose. Hence the President did
not consider it wise or humane to send
in a message which might prscipitate
serious trouble and endanger the lives
of these people. Mr.. Davis stated that
the President had sent for him for the
purpose of asking this delay
and had shown him as reason for the
request telegrom fron Consul General
Lee saying that if the message shopld
be sent in before Monday he would not
be responsible for the lives of Ameri.
cans in Cuba. No comment whatever
was made on the Senator's communica-
ton and after it was made the Senate
returned to its legislative work.
At the White House the definite
statement was authorized that the mes
sage would not go in to-day.