The record-union., 1898-12-06

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-Congress
Teassembled to-day under circumstan-
ces Of considerable public interest. The
same Congress, six months ago, de-
olared war against Spain, and now,
with the war fought and won, it came
together again for the first legislative
consideration of the questions devel-
oped by the eventful months just pass
ed. The spirit of the occasion was not,
however, one of immediate expectancy
for the few months left to the exist
ence of the Fifty-ffth Congress gave
promise Of little more than a begin
ming of the momentous policies and
problems growing out of the war.
AS usual, all Washington turned it's
attention to the Capitol for that gala
event which marks the opening OF a
session. The weather imposed no bar
riers for the hurricane of yesterday
had given way to clearing skies and
balmy air. Long before the noon hour,
when the Senate and House began their
work, the corridors were filed with
surging crowds in the rotunda and
statuary hall, all pushing toward the
galleries. No evidences remained of
the explosion and fire which recently
ravaged the building
BY II o'clock the leaders began to
make their appearance and the public
galleries filled UP rapidly.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 5.-In the open
ing hours of the last session of the
memorable Fifty-fifth Congress, the
Senate chamber presented an animated
scene. The galleries were filled early,
many of the spectators being visitors
to Washington, who had embraced the
opportunity to witness a Congressional
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 elabo-
Tase in floral displays has been seen
there for many years. It Yas almost
a chrysanthemum show, with roses and
flowers of every description mingled
with the chrysanthemums, and all
formed into elaborate designs.
Morgan Of Alabama was the first
Senator to enter the Senate chamber,
and closely following him came the oc-
togenarian, 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 the diplomatic gallery, just
before the Senate convened, appeared
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British EN-
bassador, and party, with Mr.. WI Ting
Fang, the Chinese Minister, and the at
taches of his Legation and some other
members of the diplomatic corps. On
the floor appeared Lord Herschell, the
chief representative of Great Britain on
the Joint High Commission, accompa-
MED by Jefferson Coolidge of Massa-
chusetts
Sir Wilfred Laurier, Sir Richard
Cartwright. Sir Louis Davies and Mr..
Charlton, members of the commission,
were also on the floor.
Promptly on the stroke of u o'clock
Vice President Hobart entered and. as
cending to his desk, raped for order
Mr.. Milburn, the venerable blind
Chaplain, in profoundly impressive
manner, returned devout and reverent
thanks for Gods goodness to our ma
tion and for His care of us since last
gathered in the chamber"
BY Thy good providence" the Chap
lain prayed, triumph has crowned our
arms by land and by sea and so that
peace has come to us through the coun-
ell chamber. Let Thy grace be the por-
tion 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 on her nation.
May Thy heavenly grace come to secure
and uplift and uphold that stricken
people Grant that all good may be
given to US. our motherland, and to all
nations, and may we walk hand in hand
with our brethren across the sea to the
nights of Christian civilization"
A call of the Senate developed the
presence of sixty-seven members. The
usual resolutions were offered and
adopted Cullom of Illinois offered one
to appoint a committee to inform the
House that the Senate was ready to
transact business: Hale of Maine, that
fixing the hour of daily meetings at u
o'clock noon, and Morrill, of Vermont
that to appoint committee to notify
the President that the Senate was
awaiting any communication he might
desire 70 make.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont and Mr.. Cock
rell of Missouri were named by the
Vice President to join a like commit
tee of the House of Representatives to
call on the President
Mr. Mcbride of Oregon presented the
credentials of his newly elected col
league, Mr.. Simon, to whom the Vice
President administered the oath of Of
fee.
Pending the receipt of the Presidents
message the Senate. on motion of Mr..
Allison of Iowa, took a recess of thirty
minutes.
At 1:25 p. m. the committee appoint
ed to wait upon the President reported
the performance of its duties and an
nounced that the President would i'm
mediately communicate with the SEN
ate in writing. Scarcely had the re-
port been read when Major Pruden, the
executive clerk Of the President. en-
tered the chamber and presented the
message. Vice President Hobart laid
it before the Senate at once and it's
reading was begun at lbs .. m
The reading of the message occupied