The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-06

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5-The opening
session OF congress today was a spectacu-
lar occasion, animated and brilliant. There
were more than the usual number of dis
tingdished personages in the thronged GAL
leries, including many representatives Of
foreign governments. high officials and la
dies and gentlemen conspicuous in social
and political life. The greetings Of the
members were most cordial, and there was
no outcropping Of partisan rancor TO mar
the occasion.
One of the most striking incidents was
the cordial meeting between the floor lead
ers OF the respective sides Messrs. Ding
ley and Bailey. In view Of the gossip about
the possibility Of Mr.. Bailey being de-
posed as the minority leader. it is signifi-
cant that the speaker named Mr.. Bailey
as the minority member OF the committee
to wait UPON the president, an honor al
ways bestowed upon the recognized leader
Of the minority.
Speaker Reed received warm welcome
from both sides of the house when he as
cended the rostrum TO call the house to
order, but perhaps the greatest personal
ovation to any member was that given Maj.
Gen. Wheeler, of Alabama, who has not
been seen by many Of his old colleagues
since he went to the front at the head OF
the cavalry division of Gen. Skaters
army.
Mr. W. A. Stone. OF Pennsylvania: Mr..
McMilin, of Tennessee. and Mr. Sayers,
Of Texas, who have been elected govern
ors OF their respective states since con-
gress adjourned, were also overwhelmed
with congra tula tions. The floral tributes
today were unusually numerous, and made
the hall a veritable bower Of beautiful
flowers.
Representative Cousins, of Iowa. has
the honor OF introducing the first bin in
the house at this session. 1t is entitled
"A bill declaring standard OF value in
the United States" and provides that "a
standard of value in the United States is
hereby declared TO be and is the standard
gold dollar OF . S grains OF standard gold
900 fine"
Meyer of Louisiana introduced house
bill appropriating si2. 900 for the con-
struction of wide, deep channel from
deep water OF the Mississippi river to
deep water OF the Gulf OF Mexico.
Sulzer OF New York ranking Democrat
ic member Of the house committee on mill
itary affairs. has introduced a resolution
authorizing and directing the committee
on military affairs 10 investigate the war
department and the conduct of the Span
ish war"
The SuIzer resolution was referred to
the committee on military affairs.
The proceedings themselves were dull.
all interest centeriug in the reading OF the
presidents message. For over two i.ours
the clerk droned through the long docu-
ment, but the interest OF members and
spectators never tagged. With rapt at
tention they followed the presidents re-
cital Of the war and listened eagerly to
every suggestion or recommendation he
had to offer. No expressions of approval
or disapproyal interrupted the reading
The presidents review OF the causes
leading up 10 the war, the manner in
which the preparations for hostilities
were made and the succession OF victories
on land and sea were listened 10 with
rapt attention. The other propositions
Of the message were followed with almost
as much interest
AS soon as the reading was concluded
on motion OF Mr.. Dinghy. the message
was ordered printed. and then. at $50 p.
M. the house adjourned.