Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-12-06
OPENING OF CONGRESS
The Presidents Message Read In Sen
ate and House.
WAR INQUIRY RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Sulzer of New York Introduces
One In the Lower Body,
and 1t Is Referred to
Committee.

Washington, Dec 6.-Exactly at moor
Speaker Reeds gavel came down with
sharp crack, the great ebony mace
entwined with silver and surmounted
by a silver eagle was lifted into place
upon it's green marble pedestal, the
spreading folds of the American flag
were broken to the breeze above the
brilliant stained glass ceiling and the
house of representatives entered upon
the closing session Of the memorable
war congress. The scene within the
great hall was animated, brilliant and
picturesque.
The sea of desks within the brass
rails, which cut off the Hobbies, spread
ing in semicircular lines from the
speakers rostrum like waves from a
center We're a veritable flower garden.
A majority of members were in their
places, while above the encircling gal
leries were banked to the doors with
people.
The assembling of a session of con-
gress is always great magnet for the
multitude. but this day the attraction
was fraught with the added interest of
NNA~
war congress, the triumphs and re-
verses of the recent political battle at
the polls and the eagerness to hear the
presidents message with its review OF
the events which have crowded the
stage during this memorable year and
its recommendations of policies for the
future.
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 the corridors
into the galleries. Even the private
galleries We're crowded an hour before
the hour for converting. And they con-
tanned many distinguished in social and
official life. The dainty creations of
the milliner's art and brilliantly SUI
perb gowns gave color to the picture.
The Members Arrive.
The members began arriving shortly
before II, and the hall soon commenced
to buzz as they exchanged greetings,
congratulations or condolences. For
those who had gone down at the No
-'ember elections there were expressions
OF sympathy, for those who had been
words oFcongratuiatian.
Some of the members held regL..r
levees as they appeared. This was
true of Mr. w. A. Stone of
Pennsylvania, Mr.. Sayers of Texas and
Mr.. McMillin of Tennessee, each OF
whom was chosen governor of his re-
spective state at the recent election.
Here and there through the throng was
an officer in full uniform, an unwonted
figure on the floor and a vivid reminder
Of the war.
The floral tributes. which the scurry.
ing pages bore into the hall and to the
desks for whom they We're destined,
were much mere numerous than usual
Some of them were of gigantic size,
concealing the recipients.
There were huge baskets of roses, an
chors, horseshoes and floral pieces of
many designs.
The floor was cleared of all those not
entitled to the privilege. The leaders
as rule were late in arriving but as
they appeared they were surrounded
and cordially greeted. Mr.. Hit of ILL
nois. chairman of the committee on for
aign affairs; Mr. Dalzell of Pennsylva-
MA, one of the members of the commit
tee on rules. and Mr.. Henderson of Iowa
an ovation.
The Leaders Welcomed.
Mr.. Dngley, the floor leader of the
majority, and Mr.. Bailey. the minority
eader, came in simultaneously from the
obbies of their respective sides. Mr..
Bailey went Immediately to his seat,
and Mr.. Dingley. as soon as he could
iisengage himself from the friends who
crowded about him. crossed over to the
Democratic side ana shook hands with
his political adversary. AS the hands
If the clock pointed to noon the giant
orm of the speaker pushed through the
green baize doors of the lobby in the
ear of the hall, and Mr. Reed assembled
he rostrum. A wave of applause swept
he floor and galleries upon his appear
nee.
A slight smile played over his features
Is he raised his gavel aloft. When it
ell with resembling whack. a hush
ell upon the vast assemblage. The
blind chaplain stood in his place. A
moment the speaker waited, with every
We riveted upon him. Every member
ose to his feet and many of those in
he galleries.
THE chaplain will offer prayer" an
ounced the speaker in low tones. Heads |
we're bowed reverently as the chaplain |
n eloquent words invoked the Divine !
lessing, giving praise for the VICTOR
hat had attended our arms and thu |
eace which had come and asking for |
trength and wisdom to meet the new
roblems which confronted the nation.
At the conclusion of the chaplain's
rayer the speaker announced that the
rst business in order would be a call |
f the roll to determine the presence
f a quorum. While the responses were
eing made, General Wheeler of Ala
ANA came in and took his seat in the
ow immediatelyin front of the speakers
ostrum. He was instantly surrounded
Y half a hundred members and re-
eived the ovation of the day.
More Than Quorum.
The roll call developed the presence
267 members, 179 being quorum.
hree new members were sworn in
Ir. Grosvenor (O.) presented Mr.
harles Dick, elected to fill the va
ancy caused by the death of Mr.
Torthway; Mr.. Allen (Miss) presented
If. Thomas Spight. elected to fill the
acancy caused by the resignation of
lr. Sullivan. who was elected to the
enate. and Mr.. Grow (Pa.) presented
Ir. William II. Graham. elected to fill
he vacancy caused by the resignation
Mr.. Stone, elected governor of Penn
vlvania. With uplifted hands they
,ok the oath.
Mr.. Dingley, the floor leader, offered
ne customary resolution for the APP