Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-08
Closing Session of the 5sth
Congress Convened at
Noon Monday.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
Gathered to witness the Opening Cers
monies cKinley's Message Well Re
ceived Among the Members-An
Investigation of War Depart
meut Asked For.

Washington. Dec. 5.-Congrcss convened
promptly at noon to-day. The galleries Of
both h buses were crowded ana there was
a good attendance Of senator's and repre-
scntatives.
When the Senate convened to-day 10 be-
gin the closing session of the FlIty-Fifth
Congress the chamber presented Il notable
and beautiful appearance. BY IL o'clock
the pubic and private galleries were filled
almost to their capacity with u distn-
gushed assemblage, including many la
dies in brilliant attire.
On the iiuor OF the Senate the display
of flowers was unusually beautiful. even
for the opening day OF Il session of Com
grcss. The odor of the flowers i!led the
chamber. The memorable scenes enacted
in the chamber during the last session and
the momcntous events that have occurred
since Congress last adjourned created d
feeling of intense expectancy on the part
Of both the spectators and the members
of the Senate. This was made manifest
by the long lines of people in the cOrfi-
doris anxious to gain admission 20 til"
galleries and by the early arrival of the
senator's ON the floor.
Through the courtesy OF the Nice-Presi-
dent, the members OF the joint high cvm-
mission were admitted to the door Of tho
Senate and We're the recipients OF much
attention.
just before inc session was tdllSu 10 or
der several well known members of the
diplomatic corps appeared in the diplomat
&c gallery. Among them were Sir Julian
Pauncefote, ambassador Of Great Britain
to the United States and dean Of the
corps, with a party from the British en-
baSsy; Mr.. WI Ting Fang, the Chinese
minister and party; and Mr.. fe Pun chin,
the Korean minister. All were interest vi
spectators of the opening scenes OF the
NJ ST. N he 4
ing Of the Presidents message.
During n recess of three quarters of an
hour, while thu senate was awaiting tho
presentation of the mesSac" from the
President the members Of the joint high
commission held an informal levee, greet
Ing personally nearly al OF the members
of the American Senate.
Promptly At IL O'Clock Nicc-Prcsidont
Hobart entered and raped for order,
Kev MIR Mi,Hun. the blind chaplain
offered prayer. y call OF the senate Snow
cd the presence of 81 members The usual
resolutions were offered and adopted. Mr..
Morrill,, rep. II Vermont offered resp-
luton that the Senate appoint 4 commit
tee To inform the President that the SEN
ate was in session. Mr. Hale, rep ot
Maine, one fixing the hour Of daily meet
inss AT II o'clock noon,
Pending the receipt Of the Presidents
message the Senate took recess or 81
minutes. Al l;9S n, M, the committee lt-
turned and Major Pruden. executive
cle!k of the President, presented the mes
saSe. Vice-Presi9cnt Hobart laid it be-
fore the Senate at once.
The reading OF the Presidents message
which occupied two hours and is minutes
was received with very careful attention
for an hour but after that the senators
driftcd To the cloak rooms or To the COM
mittee rooms where they could peruse the
message at their leisure in the printed
copies which had been furnished them
/ 1t was exactly noon when Speaker Reed
! called the House TO order. The floral dec
orations of the members We're as abund-
/ ant as usual The galleries were crowded
fully an hour before the opening OF tbs
/ session and the corridors were filed IL
Overlooking by noon. The members becar
arriving Just before II o'clock, For those
| who had been defeated in the November
| elections there were the usua. expressions
OF sympathy; for those who had been vic
! torious. words OF congratulation.
Mr., D,ngley, floor leader of the major
! ity. and Mr.. Bailey, at present the minor
B ity leader, came in simultaneously from
! the Hobbies and their respective sides, Mr.
/ Bailey went Immediately to his seat. and
/ MIR. Dingley, as soon as he could Olsen,
gage himself from friends who crowded
about him, crossed to the democratic side
| and shook hands with Mr.. Bailey, As