Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-06
55th CONGRESS-.
Speaker Reeds GaveI Falls
Exactly at Noon Hour.
Much Commentator Expressed on All
Hands for Presidents Message.
The War Congress Of 1898 Promptly Starts
in on Business.

Washington, Dec. 5.-When the Sen
ate convened. today, to begin the clos
ing session Of the 55th Congress, the
chamber presented notable and beau
full appearance BY II O'Clock, the pub
lie and private galleries We're filled al
most to their capacity with a distin-
gulshed assemblage, including many
ladies in brilliant attire. On the floor
OF the Senate, the display of flowers
was beautiful. The memorable scenes
enacted in the charmber during the
last session and the momentous events
that have occurred since committees
last adjourned created feeling of in
tense expectancy on the part of bot
the spectators and Senate.
Through the courtesy of the Vice
President. the members of the joint
committee were admitted to the noo,
Of the Senate and were the recipients
OF much attention.
Just before the session was called tn
order, several well known members of
the diplomatic corps appeared in the
diplomatic 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 embassy: Mr.. WI Ting
Fang, the Chinese minister and party,
and Mr.. 1e PUN Chin, the Corean min
lister. All We're interested spectators of
the opening scenes of the session and
attentive listeners to the reading of the
Presidents message.
At 1.25 p NJ. the committee appoint
ed to wait upon the President reported
the performance of its duty and an
nounced that the President would i'm
mediately communicate with the SEN
ate in writing.
Scarcely had the report been made
when Major Pruden, executive clerk of
the President. entered the chamber and
presented the message. Vice Prasiden.
Hobart laid it before the Senate at
once and its reading was begun at 12S
p. NJ.
Sir Wifred Laurier, Sir Richard
Cartwright. Sir Louis Davies. and John
Charlton. NJ. p, members of the COM
mission, were also on the floor.
Promptly on the stroke of II O'Clock,
Vice President Hobart entered and rap
ped for order.
Rev. Mr.. Miiburn, the venerable blind
chaplain, returned "devout and rever-
end thanks for Gods goodness to us as
a nation
BY Thy good providence the chap
lain prayed. triumph has crowned our
arms by land and by sea, so that peace
has come to us through the council
chamber. Let Thy grace be the por-
ton of our people and may their hearts
De rendered in service TO Thee and to
all men. We pray that Thy blessing
may be with the Queen Regent of Spain
and her young son, and on her nation
May Thy heavenly grace come to Sc
cure and uplift and uphold that strick-
en- people,
A call of the Senate developed the
presence of g. members. The usual re-
solutions We're offered and adopted.
Cullom. Illinois, offered a resolution
to appoint committee to inform the
House that the Senate was ready to
transact business; Hale, that fixing the
hour of daily meeting at II o'clock,
noon. Morrill,. Vermont. and Mr.. Cock
rell, Missouri. were named by the Vice
President to join a like committee of
the House of Representative to call
upon the President.
Mcbride. Oregon, presented the ere
dentials of his newly elected colleague,
Simon, to whom the Vice President
administered the oath of office.
Pending the receipt of the Presidents
message. the Senate on motion of Mr..
Allison, Iowa, took recess of 80 min
utes.
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