The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-11
SCENES At THE CAPITOL
People Surge Through Corridors
and Fill the Galleries.
MURMURS OF AN OUTBREAK
The idea OF Another Period of NeGo-
tiatiOn IL Displeasing TO Congress-
nea-They Declare That They
Have No Confidence i'm the Honesty
of Spain.

/ Clouds hung over Capitol Hill this morn
ing and threatening rain planted appre-
/ hension in the multitude that trailed its
/ way thither
/ However, the Capitol was not taken
I possession Of by the curious crowd as on
! other days when a message from the
! President was expected. The throng was
/ as great and as persistent as on previous
/ occasions. but il was summarily dealt
/ with by the police, who had been given
strict orders and executed them without
/ discrimination.
Before daylight the early ones camped
out on the Capitol steps with their lunch
es. their newspapers. and their patience,
and Of the three patience was of the most
Importance
When the big door swung open there
was a rush during which chivalry was
lost sight of. Strong men pushed WON -
aside. and ii was case of the survival
Of the biggest
At ten minutes after 9 the public CALLER
les Of the House were full, and immedi-
ately police were stationed at the foot of
every stairway leading to the gallery
floor. and those without cards were turn
ed back.
As result the corridors were free from
the noisome crowds that have hereto
fore been a serious Inconvenience. The
rotunda and the corridors on the first
floor, however, were damned with people,
who stood around, hung on the ratings,
gazed at the pictures and statuary and
INDUCED in vigorous comments on the
rights of taxpayers.
During the earlier hours the overflow
that had escaped police vigilance wander
ed around in the galleries awaiting the
session hour, and struggled down the
stairways.
They were cheerfuly allowed TO come
down, but when they attempted TO return
il was different. Nobody after $3.50 was
allowed 70 mount the stairways, not even
/ employees.
In the mems gallery the walters whiIed
away the time in making books on the
expected message. The betting was about
3 TO that the message would not be
forthcoming.
On the floor of the House congressman
and a few senator's began to assemble at
a very early hour as early at $3.50. They
gathered in little knots and groups to dis
was the leading topic, and the general
opinion, without apparent dissent, was
that this new move on the chessboard of
diplomacy would make no change in the
general situation.
A representative who had given his
two passes for the gallery TO his wife
and daughter, stroned up TO the door
keeper at 10 o'clock. accompanied by a
naval official, and, after patting the
doorkeeper on the back with that IA
miliarity born of Western manners, asked
that his friend be admitted.
But you have your two passes said
the guard at the door.
I'VE given those TO my wife and daugh-
ter and have promised this gentleman a
seat in the gallery" said the congress-
man.
Il can't pass him." said the doorkeeper.
The report that the President in his
message would Suggest" delay in order
that he might continue negotiations with
Spain was in general circulation en- the
floor of the House before that body was
called to order
The idea of another period of negotia-
tons, with all the doubt and uncertainty
involved was anything but pleasing to
congressman. Many of them declared
that they had no confidence whatever
in the honesty of Spain; that they regard
ed a reopening of diplomatic correspond
ence with that government as 4 waste of
time and opportunity. There were NUT
terings that betokened the outbreak of
a storm on the floor of the House in the
event of the President seriously advising
another delay.
The House was called TO order promptly
at noon. The chaplain i'm the morning
prayer referred to the apprehension of
war and invoked divine blessing upon any
action Congress might see fit to pursue.
IF IL be necessary, oh Lord, to move for
ward i'm behalf of humanity and justice
give us the courage of our convictions"
Business of minor Importance came up
for consideration, and the introduction of
any measure likely to consume more than
half an hour was strenuously objected to-
At precisely 1910 Mr.. Pruden appeared
on the floor OF the House. A murmur of
excitement swept through the galleries.
There's the messagei There's the mes
sagei'
Business was at once suspended and
the message delivered to Speaker Reed
1t was handed TO the clerk of the House.
who proceeded to a reading of the volu-
minous document amid profound silence.
Previous to calling the House to order
Speaker Reed dispatched deputies through
the galleries. who requested absolute or
der under penalty of instant expulsion of
all visitors. The Speaker again invoked
order before the reading of the mes
sage.