The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
SCENES IN THE HOUSE.
Republicans Cheered One Sentence
of the Message.

of the Message.
| WASHINGTON. April 1.-THE Presidents
| message was read in the House to-day in
| the presence of a vast assemblage and re-
ferred to the committee on foreign affairs
without debate. There absolutely no
demonstration either of approval or lisap-
prevail from the crowded galleries through
out or at the conclusion of the reading but
there was a sharp burst of applause from
the Republican side when towards the close
of the message the President said the war
in Cuba must cease. At the conclusion of
the reading about half the Republicans
applauded and several of the Democrats
groaned. After the message had been re-
ferred the House transacted some District
pof Columbia business and then acted on the
Fa:rchild-Wa contested election case
from the Eighteenth New York district.
by confirming Mr.. Wards title to the seat.
Little or no interest was taken in the pro-
ceedings. All the afternoon the members
stood about in groups discussing the mes
sage and the probable action of Congress
upon it.
Undaunted by the disappointment of last
Wednesday, the multitude again besieged
the Capitol this morning before the doors
were opened. Many camped out on the
marble terraces all night and others began
streaming in through the dawn. But
thousands did not begin to arrive until
about 9 O'clock. The day was dark and
gloomy. The smoke hung heavy over the
Capitol and city, and the stars and stripes
above the dome and terrace chung limp and
damp to their poles. The experience of last
Wednesday, when thousands who held tick
cts TO the reserved galleries could not even
get to the corridors leading to the gale
/
far as the reserved galleries were con-
cerned, and all holding tickets were accom-
mcdated. The multitude suffered, however
The space for the public was restricted and
only comparatively few of the thousands
who stood in the dense line stretching
down stair and corridor to the basement
for hours were admitted. As on Wednes-
day last many women tainted in the crush
and were carried out and others dropped
out of the lines at last from fatigue and
exhaustion.
The reserved galleries were gay with
spring bonnets and the brilliant bizarre col
ors which have come into vogue. Promi-
nent personages from all over the Union
were pointed out here and there. The dip
lomatic gallery was filled with members
of the diplomatic corps, with their ladies',
eager to see how Congress would receive the
situation as left by diplomacy The execu-
tive gallery save for the first row of seats
was also filled by ladies and gentlemen
holding tickets from the White House. The
scene was memorable as the eye swept the
banked galleries and the animated group of
members on the flooor below, but there was
| less hubbub and evidence of excitement
than on "Wednesday. Postmaster General
Gary and Secretary of Agriculture Wilson
| were on the fiooor just before the House
| convened. AS the hands of the clock point
| ed to noon the Speaker entered the hubbub
1 ceased and amid impressive silence the
crisis.
| nal u contest arose between the committee
| on elections and the committee on the Dis
| trict of Columbia over the right of way
| and while the wrangle that followed to the
mystitication of the eager spectators in the
galleries was at its height Major Pruden,
| the Presidents executive clerk suddenly
| appeared in the main aisle bearing the mes
| sage. Instantly the whispered word was
passed around the dense galleries, THE
| electric shock. A hush fell upon the vast
assemblage. The legislative gladators who
were nghting for the right Of way fell apart.
nounced the message. As it was carried
| down the aisle the galleries leaned over with
GREATNESS interest, the members settled in
| their chairs. The seal of the envelope was
broken by the speaker himself and the mes
sage was handed to the clerk.
'"rhe chair submits the message of the
| President of the United States" announced
| the speaker in clear distinct tones.
1
| clock could have been heard so intense was
| the silence. Every ear was strained Many
members leaned over on their desks with
| their hands to their ears to better catch the
mOmentouS words which fell from the lipS
of the clerk. The latter read in loud
clear voice, but in monotonous tone with
no attempt at emphasis or defamation. But
the words needed no defamation to add TO
their pregnant Importance.
There were no demonstrations of approval
or diSapproval until toward the latter part
of the message came the words: 1.-THE war
must ceasen' 1t was greeted with a round
of applause from about quarter of the
Republican side The galleries gave no sign
When the reading was concluded scatter
ing outburst came from the Republican side
mingled with a few groans from the Demo-
cratic side. Again the galleries We're silent.
The speaker Immediately announced the ref
erence of the message and accompanying
papers to the committee on foreign affairs
and without further action the House pro-
ceeded to the consideration of District of
Columbia business. Immediately the House
was an uproar The spectators focked from
the galleries and the members retired to the
cloakrooms and Hobbies TO discuss the mes
sage. The speaker was obliged to rap fire.
quently for order.
After some District business had been
transacted the contested election case of
Fairchild VS.. Ward from the Eighteenth
New York district was taken up. After two
hours debate the majority report in favor
of Mr.. Ward, the sitting member. was adopt
Cd 13S TO 40. AT 4:55 the House adjourned.