The Portland daily press., 1898-12-06

1
La Washington, December 5.-Exactly at
noon Speaker Reeds gavei came down
with sharp crack, the great ebony mace
eptwined with silver and surmounted
by silver eagle, was lifted into place
upon its green marble pedestal, the
spreading folds Of the American flag
were hroken to The breeze above the brill
liant STAINED glass ceiling, and the House
of Repr,s ntatiyes entered upon the clos
| ing session of the memorable war Con-
gress.
The scene within the great hall was
animated, brilliant ana picturesqe. The
sea OF desks within the brass rails which
cut off the lobbies. spreading in semi.
circular lines from the Speakers yostru'n
| like waves from centre. were q verita-
BILE flower garden. The public seemed to
feel that this was to be AN epoch making
session and for hours before noon
steady stream of people debouched from
Ehe corridors into the galleries. Even
the private galleries were crowded an
hour before ths hour for conveniDg.
The members began arriving shortly
before II anu the hall room coin1nenceo
to luzz as tney exchanged greetings, con-
gratulations or condolences. For those
| Sho had gone oown at tue November
L iections there were expressions OF sym
| . tiny; for those who had been y1cGorl-
Gus, words of congra uiation. Some OF
he mem bers helo reg ular levees as tney
/ sd. cared This was markedly true OF
| Ms. W A. Stone OF Pennsylvania, Mr.
Sayers of Iexns aud MIR. McMililn OF
lexs,s each O VIII I'm was CHOSEN gov
ferno of his respecMve state at tne reoeno ~
els, tluns Here and there through the
throng WAS an officer in full uniform,
n unwonted hgure on the foor ana
.isit reminder Of the war.
lhe oral iri uutes which these skurrying
pages bore into the hall and to the desks
| for whom they were destined, were much
more numerous than usual.
At 1l.45 the floor was cleared Oh All
| those not ent tiel TO the privilege. Mr..
/ 3fngley, the floor leaser OF the majority,
and Mr Bailey tue minority leader,
came in simultaneously. Mr. Bailey
/ went immediately to mis- seat and Mr..
i Diugley as soon as he cosll disengaRe
/ mInaeli from his frisnds, CROSSED over to
1 the Democratic site and shook hands
with his political awe sary. As the
nands of the clock pointed TO noon the
giant form of the Speaker pushed through
the green baize door OF the lobby In the
rear of tne hail, and Mr iced ascehoeu
tue rostrum wave OF applause swept
the floor and galleries upon mis- appear
ance A slight smile played over mis- be,
nign features as he raised his gayel
aloit. When it fell with q resounding
whack a hush fell upon the vast assem-
lage.
The chaplain in eloquent words in
yoked the Divine blessing.
Ine Speaker then announced that the
first Lu,iness in order would be call OF
& Q roll TO deterDAne the presence OF a
gu rum. w lie tine responses we're being
lace. Gen u heeler OF Alabama camc in
He Was instantly surrounded by half
hundred members and recei Led the ova-
on OF tne day.
lhe rod cali DEVELOPED the presence OF
-67 membe s, ~ tang quHum. ihe
new members sworn in wsIe Charl &
Dick oi Onio 1humas 5 Fight Of Mis-
sissippi and Vim. II. Graham Oh Penn
ylVau1i
a Dir. Dingley, the floor leader, offered
Ine customary re-oluuIon for the ap-
pointmsnt of committee of three to Join
d similar comm ttee of ths Senats to wait
pm tne President and in orn him hat
t Q House WAS ready to receive any COM
mu4,lcation he hau to make. 1t was