Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-12-08


Washington, Dec. 6.-Congress reas-
sembled under circumstances of un-
usual public interest. The same con-
gress, six months ago, declared war
against Spain and now, with the war
fought and won, it came together again
for the first legislative consideration
of the questions developed by the
eventful months just past Congress
convened promptly at noon. The gall
.eries Of both houses were crowded
There was a good attendance of sena-
tors and members.
Exactly at noon Speaker Reeds gavel
came down with a sharp crack, the,
great ebony mace entwined with ST
and surmounted by a silver eagle, was
lifted into place upon its green marble
pedestal, the spreading folds of Amer
lean flags were thrown to the breeze
about the brilliant stained glass ceiling
and the house OF representatives en-
tered upon the closing session of the
memorable war congress. The scene
within the great hall was animated,
brilliant and picturesque
Mr.. Dingley, the floor leader of the
majority. and Mr., Bailey, the minority
leader, came in from the Hobbies on the
respective sides. Mr.. Bailey went i'm
mediately 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
adversary The roll call developed
the presence of 267 members, 179 Being
quorum. Three new members were
sworn in. The whole Wisconsin dele
cation responded to the roll except
Representative Babcock.
The presidents message was then
read. There was no expression of ap-
proval or disapproval throughout the
reading. 1t was ordered printed.
Gen. Wheeler introduced in the house
a. resolution providing that in ''recog
milton of the patriotic devotion and
bounteous benevolence of Miss Helen
Miller Gould to the soldiers of the
army during the war with SPAIN the
thanks of congress be rendered Miss
Gould and gold medal with appropri-
ate designs, prepared Fly the director
.of the mint, be presented her by the
president Gen. Wheeler was the cen
te- of attraction and congratulation
when he appeared in the house to re-
sumo his congressional duties. He
said that he probably would resign
from the army, but his plans were not
yet definitely fixed He expects to
confer with the president and secretary
of war before determining his course.
eff there is to De any more fighting /
want to stay in the army" said the
general, "but if the fighting is over,
| prefer to return to civil life
Mr.. Cousins (rep, la had the honor
of introducing the first bill in the
house this session. 1t is entitled bill
declaring the standard of value in the
United States" and provides that the
standard hereby declared be declared
to be and is the standard gold dollar
of twenty-five and eight-tenths grains
Of standard gold 900 fine.
Mr. Meyer (dem, La introduced a
bill appropriating $12,000,000 for the
construction of wide, deep channel
from the deep water of the Mississippi
river to the deep water of the Gulf of
Mexico, via the southwest pass.
Representative Sulzer of New York,
ranking democratic member of the
house committee on military affairs.
introduced a resolution authorizing
and directing the committee on mill
tary affairs to investigate the war de-
partment and the conduct of the Span
ish-American war" The resolution
was referred to the committee on mill
tary affairs.
SENATE.
Washington, Dec 6.-Ihe senate
chamber presented an animated scene
The galleries were filled early, many
Of the spectators being visitors to
Washington who had embraced the OPP
portunity to witness congressional
opening. The desks of the members
were loaded with magnificent speci
mems of the florists art.
Mr.. Morgan (dem., Ala.) was the
first senator to enter the chamber,
and closely following him came the oc-
togenarian, Mr.. Morrill, rep, VT.
Above in the diplomatic gallery, just
before the senate convened, appeared
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British am
bassador, and party; Mr.. WI Ting
Fang, the Chinese minister, and at
taches of his legation, and some other
members Of the diplomatic corps. On
the floor Lord Herschell, the chief
representative of Great Britain, was
present
call of the senate developed the
presence of 81 members. The usual
resolutions were offered and adopted
The presidents message was laid be-
fore the senate at 1928 p. m. 1t re-
ceiyed careful attention for an hour
but after that the senators drifted to
the cloak rooms and committee rooms
where they could peruse the message
at leisure in the printed copies which
they had been furnished.
WANTS SEN. STEWARDS PLACE.
Winnemucca, New. Dec. 4.-Congress-
man Newlands announced himself a
candidate for the United States senate
He said that the legislative political
forces have involved themselves into
anti-Stewart and Stewart forces, and
that the Stewart force has been defeat
ed, Stewart having lost the legislature
EMBEZZLER SURRENDERS.
Thomas BeckwiJh, Who Stole $4,000,
Gives Himself Up.