The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-12-10
HOUSE PROCEEDlNGS.

clerk at once presented the message.
Its reading began Immediately, and it
received the closest attention OF all.
HOUSE PR0CEEDlNGs.
Galleries Crowded and a Large At
tendance Of Members.
Washington, Dec. 5.-Exact1y at
noon Speaker Reeds gavel came down
with ii sharp crack, the great ebony
mace entwined with silver and sur
mounted by a silver eagle was lifted
into place upon Secretary Green's
marble pedestal, the spreading folds
OF American flags were broken to the
breeze about the brilliant stained glass
ceiling, and the house of representa-
tivcs entered upon the closing session
of the memorable war congress. The
scene within the great hall was ami
mated, brilliant and picturesque.
The sea of desks within the brass
rails which cut off the lobbics, spread.
ing in semi-circular lines from the
speakers rostrum like waves from q
center, were a yeritablc flower gar
den. u majority of the members were
in their places, while the encircling
galleries were banked to the doors
with people. The assembling of a SEES
sion of congress is always a great mag
net for the multitude, but the attrac-
tion today was fraught with the added
interest of all the memories which
cling about the war congress, the tri-
umphs and reverses OF the recent po-
litical bnttle Mt the polls and the
eagerness to hear the presidents mes
sage, with its review of events which
have crowded the stage during this
memorable year, and its recommends
tons of policies for the future. The
public seemed to feel this was an
epoch making session, and for hours
before noon, a steady stream of peo-
pie debouched the corridors into the
galleries, and even the private CALLER
les were crowded before the hour of
converting, and they contained many.
persons distinguished in social and of
fetal life. The dainty creations OF
millinery art and brilliantly superb
gowns gave color to the picture.
The members began arriving before
II and the hall soon commenced to
buzz as they exchanged greetings,
congratulations or condolences.
For those who had gone down at the
NAGIC eNCIc AZ ca
pressions of sympathy; for those who
had been victorious. words OF congrat.
ulation. Some of the members had
regular lcvees as they appeared. This
was remarkably true of w. "A. Stone of
Pennsylvania, Mr.. Sayers OF Texas and
Mr.: McMillin, IT Tennessee, each Of
whom was chosen, governor of his re-
spective state ut the recent election.
Here and there throughout the throng
was an officer in full uniform, an un.
wonted 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 of those for whom they were de-
stined were much more numerous than
usual. Some of them We're of gigantic
size, completely concealing their re-
cipients. There were huge baskets Of
roses, anchors, horseshoes and floral
pieces OF many designs.
At 11:45 the floor was cleared Of all
those not entitled to that privilege.
The leaders as q rule were late in ar.
irving, but us they appeared they were
surrounded and cordially greeted. Mr..
Hit, of Illinois, chairman of the COM
mittee of foreign affairs; Mr.. Dalzell,
of Pennsylvania, one Of the members
of the committee on rules, and Mr..
Henderson, OF Iowa, of the same COM
mittec, were each given an ovation.
Mr.. Dinglcv, the floor leader of the
majority, and Mr.. Bailey, the minor
ity leader, came in simultaneously
from the Hobbies of their respective
sides. Mr.. Bailey went Immediately
to his seat and Mr.. Dingley, as soon as
he could disengage himself from the
friends who crowded about him,
crossed over to the democratic side
and shook hands with his political I'D.
versary. AS the hands of the clock
pointed to noon the giant form of the
speaker pushed through the green
baize doors of the lobby in the rear Of
the hall and Mr.. Reed assembled the
rostrum. A wnve OF applause swept
the floor and galleries upon his ap.
pearance. A light smile played over
his benign features as he raised his
gavel aloft. When that fell with a re.
sounding whack n hush fell upon the
vast assemblage. The blind chaplain
stood in his place. A moment the
speaker waited with every eye riveted
upon him. Every member rose to his
feet and many of those in the galleries.
"The chaplain will offer prayer an
nounced the speaker in low tones.
Heads We're bowed reverently as the
chaplain in eloquent tones invoked the
divine blessing, giving praise for the
victory that had attended our arms
and the peace which had come, and
asking for strength and wisdom to
meet the new problems which cons
fronted the nation.
AT the conclusion of the chaDlain's
prayer the speaker announced hat the
first business in order would be a call
of the roll to determine the presence
of a quorum. While the responses
were being made General Wheeler, OF
Alabama, came in and took his seat in
the row Immediately in front Of the
speakers rostrum. He was instantly
surrounded by half a hundred mem
beers and received the ovation Of the
day.
Three new Observation-Disclosures Dick
of Ohio, Thomas Spight Of Mississippi
and w. H. Graham Of Pennsylvania
! were sworn in.
The usual committees, including one
TO call on the president TO notify him
the house was in session, were appoint
ed and a recess taken.
On recovering ut 1880 p. III. the
committee to wait on the president re-
ported that the president would com.
municate Immediately in writing, and
Mt the same time the executive clerk
appeared with the message and it was
at once laid before the house. Its read
ing was listened to with the utmost
attention.