Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-06

more numerous than usual. Some Of them
were OF gigantic size, completely conceal
Ing the recipients. There were huge
baskets Of roses. anchors. horse shoes and
floral pieces Of many designs.
As the hands Of the clock pointed to
noon the giant form Of the speaker pushed
through the green baze doors Of the lobby
In the rear OF the hall and Mr.. Reed as
cended the rostrum. A wave Of applause
swept floor and galleries upon his appear
| ance. A light smile played over his benign
features, as he raised his gavel aloft. When
it fell with resounding whack a hush fell
upon the vast assemblage.
Heads were bowed reverently as the chap
lain in eloquent words invoked the divine
blessing, giving praise for the victory that
had attended our arms and the peace which
had come and asking for strength and wis
fronted the nation.
At the conclusion of the chaplain's prayer
the speaker announced that the first busi-
ness in order would be to call the roll to
determine the presence Of quroum. While
the responses were being made General
Wheeler Of Alabama came in and took his
seat in the row Immediately in front Of the
speakers rostrum. He was instantly sur
rounded by half hundred members and re-
ceived the ovation Of the day.
New Members Take the Oath.
The roll call developed the presence Of 267
members, 179 being a quorum. Three new
members were sworn In. Mr.. Grosvenor OF
Ohio presented Mr.. Dick, elected to fill the
vacancy caused by the death OF Mr.. North
way, Mr.. Allen Of Mississippi Mr.. Thomas
Spight, elected to fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation Of Mr. Sullivan, who was
elected to the senate, Mr.. Grow OF Pennsyl-
vania William H. Graham, elected to fill
the vacancy caused by the resignation Of
Mr. Stone, elected governor Of Pennsylvania.
With uplifted hands they took the oath. Mr..
Dingley. the floor leader, offered the GUS
tomary resolution for the appointment Of a
committee Of three to Join a similar COM
mittee Of the senate to wait on the presi-
dent and inform him that the house was
ready to receive any communication he had
to make. 1t was unanimously adopted, and
the speaker appointed Mr.. Dingley, Mr..
Cannon and Mr.. Bailey. A resolution was
adopted to inform the clerk OF the senate
that the house was ready for business. The
house then took a recess until 1880 to await
the arrival of the presidents message.
When the house reconvened after the recess
the committee appointed to wait upon the
president appeared and reported that 1t had
discharged its mission, and that the presi-
dent had said that he would communicate
with congress Immediately in writing.
Mr.. Dingley had hardly made this report
before Major Pruden, the presidents execu-
tive clerk, appeared and announced the mes
sage Of the president. The seal of the en-
velope In which the message was contained
was broken by the speaker himself. and it
was Immediately laid before the house. The
members on the floor and spectators in the
galleries settled themselves in their seats
and gave the reading their most earnest
attention.
The presidents view Of the causes leading
up to the war, the manner in which the
preparations for hostilities were made and
the successive victories on land and sea
were listened to with rapt attention. The
other provisions Of the message were fol-
lowed with almost as much interest. There
was no expression Of approval or. diMps'
'proval through the reading. Az soon as the
reading was concluded. on motion Of Mr.
Dingley, the message was ordered printed
and then, at $3.50 p M, the house ad-
journed