The herald., 1898-12-06
IN THE SENATE
Quorum Present and Business Begins
Promptly


WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-1n the opening
hours of the last session of the memorable
f,ftv-ffth Congress- the Senate chamber pre-
sented an animated scene The galleries
were filled early, many OF the spectators
being visitors to Washington who had EN-
braced the opportunity to witness congress
sional opening On the Senate floor the
scene presented was unusually brilliant. The
desks of the members were loaded with
magnificent specimens of the florists art.
Nothing more beautiful nor elaborate IN
floral displays has been seen in the Senate
for many years. 1t was almost ehrysan-
themum show, with roses and flowers OF
every description mingled with the chry-
sapthemums, and all formed into an elabor-
ate design.
On the floor of the senate the display of
flowers was unusually beautiful, even for the
openipg dav of a session of congress. The
odor OF flowers filled the chambers.
The memorable scenes enacted in the
chamber during the last session and the
momentous events that have occurred since
congress last adjourned created feeling
of intense expectancy on the part OF both
the spectators and the members OF the sen-
ate. This was made manifest by the long
line of people in the corridors anxious to
gain admission to the galleries and by the
early arrival of the senators on the floor
Through the courtesy of the vice president
the members of the joint high commission
were admitted to the floor of the senate and
were the recipients OF much attention. just
before the senate was called to order several
wel-known members Of the diplomatic
corps appeared in the diplomatic gallery.
Among them were Sir Julian Pauncefote,
ambassador of Great Britain to the United
States and dean of the corps, with party
from the British embassy; Mr.. WI Ting
Fang, the Chinese minister, and Mr.. Ye
Pun Chin, the Korean minister.
All were interested spectators of the open
ing scenes of the session and attentive lis
teners to the reading OF the presidents mes
sage.
During a recess Of three-q quarters of an
hour, while the senate was awaiting the pre-
sentation Of the message from the president,
the members of the joint high commission
held an informal levee, greeting personally
nearly all the members of the senate.
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama was the first
Senator to enter the Senate chamber, and
closely following him came the octogen-
aIan, Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont One by one
the members dropped into the chamber and
the floor soon presented a scene as animated
as that afforded by the galleries.
Above, in the diplomatic gallery, just be-
fore the Senate convened, appeared Sir
James Pauncefote. the British Ambassa-
dor and party, with Mr. WI Ling Fang, the
Chinese Minister and attaches OF his lega-
tion and the other members Of the diplo-
matte corps. On the floor, Lord Ilerschel,
the representative of Great Britain in the
joint high commission, accompanied by Mr..
Jefferson Coolidge of Massachusetts.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Sir Richard Cart.
wright, Sir Louis Davies and Mr.. Charlton,
members of the commission, were also on
the floor.
Promptly on the stroke of - o'clock,
Fice-President Hobart entered and ascend,
ing to his desk, raped for order.
THE CHAPLAIN'S PRAYER
Mr.. Miburn, the venerable blind chap
lain, in a profoundly impressive manner,
returned "devout and reverent thanks for
the goodness to our nation and for his care
OF us since last gathered in the chamber"
"By thy good providence" the Chaplain
prayed, triumph has crowned our arms by
land and sea, and so that peace has come to
us through the council chamber. Let thy
grace be the portion of our people and may
their hearts be rendered in service to thee
and to all men. We pray that thy blessing
may be with the Queen Regent of Spain and
her young son, and with her nation May
the heavenly grace come to secure and up
lift and uphold that stricken people. Grant
tk,t all good may be given to us, to our
motlerand, and to all nations, and may
VIC walk hand in hand with our brethren
across the sea to the heights Of Christian
civilization"
4 QUORUM PRESENT
A call of the Senate developed the pres
ence of siXty-seven members. The usual
resolutions We're ordered and adopted. Mr..
Cullom of Illinois offered not to appoint
a committee TO inform the House that the
Senate was ready to transact business; by