The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-04-07
HALLS OF
CONGRESS
THR0NCED.
Crowds Of People in Both
Houses.
Never Has Such Demand for
Admission Been Made.
But All Were Disappointed as the
Sessions Progressed.
The Expected Message From the President
Did Not Arrive, and Proceedings
The Expected Message From the President
Did Not Arrive, and Proceedings
Throughout Were Devoid
OF Excitement.

| w ASHlNGION, April O.-NeVer IN re-
cent years, if ever, has there been such
demand for admission to the halls OF
Congress as was made to-day. Peo-
pie who appreciated what the conditions
OF affairs would be We're at the doors
OF the big building before 3 o'clock, and
| they were in such numbers at this time
that when the doors were opened not
to exceed half of them could find seats
in the galleries of the Senate or the
House.
The people began to arrive at the east
and notwithstanding the thermometer
registered below the freezing point, they
took their places at the doors and held
them with calm steadfastness and a
determination of purpose worthy of q
most important guest. The arrivals
We're small up to 1:30 o'clock, but after
that hour people came in large groups
and by $50 the concreted grounds in
front of the building were well covered,
struggling people seeking ingress to the
building in which they evidently ex-
pected history to be made during the
| day.
The large stone steps leading to the
Senate and House wings and to the
rotunda were literally covered. When
the doors were opened they rushed into
the Capitol through the various openings
like water from a swollen river breaking
through a defective levee. In five min
utes all the public galleries were flied,
and the crowds in the corridors were
so dense that it was difficult to believe
that many had found seats. and been
removed from the throng.
Upon the issue of the day the tens of
thousands swarmed to the Capitol be-
lieved depended peace or war. Within
the people almost overran the blue
coated policemen who attempted to hold
them in check In great waves the ire
stairways to the galleries, in front of
the doors of which the great mass press
ed, women tainted in the press and Old
men and children were crushed by those
behind.
The arrangements at the reserved gal
leries were excellent. Special cards mad
been issued and though many failed to
gain admission. owing to the lateness
CT their arrival, those holding special
tickets We're we'll cared for.
On the floor the greatest excitement
and activity prevailed. The leaders
rushed hither and thither. rallying their
forces. Rumors flew about. Here IN
dignation was riot against the report
that the President would ask for discre-
ton as to when intervention should take
place. There a stanch supporter of the
President was counseling calmness;
here a group was discussing the proba
bilty of an alliance between the DEM
CCrats and the dissa tisfied Republicans;
there an appeal TO group of Republi
cans was being made to stand solidIy
by the President and party organiza
ton
ner of the Caoitol the House Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs was meeting. Ill
the old library hall the 'reconcentra-
dos" as the Republicans who have been
urgent for action have been called, were
discussing the latest phase of the situa-
ton with stormy words. Everywhere
was the militant spirit which comes with
events that stir the blood and quicken
the pulse.
No more animated scene could be wit
messed than was presented by the hall
cf the House of Representatives Just
before noon The people stretched in an
unbroken line, the pit where members
sit, the gay colors of the. gowns and
hats and flowers of the ladies relieved
the somber black of the garments of
the men Above the Speakers desk the
festooned silk flag of the American Re
public was to the eye the symbol of pa
triotism which throbbed in the breast.
And opposite the Speakers chair the
great clock with its guarded warriors
licked away the minutes as the vast as
semblage waited the message which car
ried the fortunes of the American people
IN THE SENATE.
A Memorable Scene Presented at