Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-06

EAdClly DIT NOON speaker Heeu SdNel
came down with sharp crack. the
great ebony mace entwined with sill
yer and surmounted by silver eagle,
was lifted into place upon it's green
marble pedestal, the spreading folds
of the American flag were broken to
the breeze above the brilliant stained
glass ceiling, and the House of Repre-
sentatives entered upon the closing
session of the memorable war congress.
The scene within the great hall was
animated, brilliant and picturesque.
Thee sea of desks within the brass
rails which cut off the Hobbies, spread
ing in semi-circular lines from the
speakers rostrum like waves from
center. were a veritable flower gar
den, a majority of members were in
their places, while above the encircling
galleries were banked to the doors with
people. The assembling Of a session of
Congress is always a great magnet for
the multitude, but to-day the attraction
was fraught with the added interest
Of all the memories which chung about
the war congress, the triumphs and re-
verses of the recent political battle at
the polls and the eagerness to hear the
Presidents message with its review of
the events which have crowded the
stage during this memorable year and
its recommendations of policies for the
future. The public seemed to feel that
this was to be an epoch making ses-
sion, and for hours before noon
steady stream of people debouched
from the corridors into the galleries.
Even the private galleries were crowd
ed an hour before the house. And they
contained many people distinguished in
social and official life. The dainty
creations of milliners' art and bril-
liantly superb gowns gave color to the
picture.
i. The members began arriving shortly
before II O'Clock. and the bail soon
commenced to buzz as they exchanged
greetings. congratulations or cordol-
ences. For those who had gone down
at the November elections there were
expressions of sympathy, for those
who had been victorious words of con-
graduation.
The floral tributes which the scurrv-
ing pages bore into the hall and to
the desks of those for whom they were
destined were much more numerous
than usual. Some of them were of
gigantic size, completely concealing
the recipients.
At H. As the floor was cleared of all
those not entitled to the privilege.
Mr.. Dingley, the floor leader of the
majority, and Mr.. Barley, the minority
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 ad-
yersary. The hands of the clock
pointed to noon the giant form of the
Speaker llshed through the green
baize doors of the lobby in the rear of
the hall and Mr.. Reed assembled the
rostrum. A wave of applause swept
floor and galleries upon his appear
ance.
A slight smile played over his be-
nign features as he raised his gavel
aloft When it fell with resounding
whack a hush fell upon the vast as
Semblage.
At the conclusion of the chaplains
prayer the Speaker announced that 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 hundred members
ano received the ovation Of the day
The House then took recess until
1:30 to await the arrival of the Presi-
dents message.
When the House reconvened Major
Pruden, the Presidents executive clerk,
appeared and announced the message
of the president
4, rs soon as the reading was conclud-
ed the House adjourned