, 1898-12-06

1IsslAbANu Ntuds uAuGl VII CulLSld lICt5
of unusual public interest. The same
congress, six months ago, declared war
against Srain, and now, with the war
fought and won, it comes together
again for the first legislative consider
alton Of the questions developed by the
eventful months just passed
The spirit of the occasion was not,
however, one of immediate expectancy,
for the few months left to the existence
of the Fifty-fifth congress grave prom
Use CT little more than a beginning of
the momeRtous policies and problems
growing out of the war.
AS usual, all Washington turned its
attention to the capitol, Tor the gala
event which marks the opening day
Of a session. The weather imposed no
barriers, for the hurricane of yesterday
had given away to clearing skys and
balmy air. Long before the noon hour,
when the senate and house began their
work, the corridors were filled with
surging crowds gathering in the ro-
tunda and statuary hall and pushing
toward the private galleries. No evil
dence remained of the explosion and
fire which recently ravaged the build
ing.
MAGNIFICENT FLORAL DISPLAY.
Washington, Dec. 5.-When the sem
ate convened today to begin the closing
session of the Fifty-fifth congress the
chamber presented a notable and beau
tiful appearance. By II o'clock the
public and private galleries were filled
almost to their capacity with a distin-
guished assemblage including many la
dies in brilliant attire.
On the floor Of the senate the dis
play of flowers was unusually beautiful,
even fer the opening day of a session
of congress. The odor of flowers filled
the chambers.
The memorable scenes enacted in the
chamber during the last session and
the mcrmentous events that have occur
red since congress last adjourned Gre
a'0' d ieeins VI ii'ese eApeoeahc9 oh
the part of both the spectators and the
members of the senate. This was made
ny uhe ione fine VI peop'e III
'ne 'oiiiuo' anNiou' W gam aoii'S-
SIGN to the galleries and by the early
"ri'ai Vi ohe sehauofs oi lhe hoor'
ihroush 'he courtesy vi Ihe vice
presiueht ohe members oi the JOINT hlen
COMMISSION were adHi'rped 10 one loot
vi the sehaoe anu "ere une recepiehVs
" htuch atuehoion'
'usu peaore 1he SENATE was caplea 10
'fuer several wen hho"n members ol
the aFpioihatic corps appeared IN ohe
uipioiiaoic sanery' AWNING uhem were
or Julian rauhceiorNe ahoasSaoor OF
dreat bpIuaih 10 the united states ahd
ueah OIL uhe corps "loh "a party from
the BRUSH embassy WI ing rang,
oie onlhese minister ahd party ana fe
rum Chln' the Korean minister.
All were Interested spectators OF the
opening OF the session ana attentive
listeners 10 une rea"lhg OF 'he presl-
dents message
Durihs uhe recess L
OIL an hour "hiie the senate was await
ing the presentation on the message
lIc"h ehe presiueht the members oi uhe
JOINT hish coihfulssion nefd al ihiorhai
ieVee' ereetihe personally nearly all Oh
ehe members Oh ohe american senate
II readihg OF the pres1dehts mes
sase WHICH consumed uwo hours anu
eighteen minutes was recei'eu WIN
very careiui a'tene'on TOT an hour' Dun
aiter cnat phe senators ariiteo 10 ene
CLOAK rooms OF 10 the comm't'ee rooms
where they coufu pursue "ne message at
.heir leisure IN uhe priheeo copies "ion
which they had peeh turnasned'
Fromp'iy ON one s'roke u ~ o'o'A
vice rresiueit fiopar' eh'efeu anu as
N.Y. Nm,~ 49, nne~ah,a lii.
nS. mnno.s,uoma