Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-06
CONGRESS REOPENS,
Unusually Elaborate F|ora|Dis-
plays in Both Houses
AN OVATION TO WHEELER
II is More Pronounced Than Even the
Welcome Accorded Reed.
MIR. BAILEY's LEADERSHIP.


WASHINGTON, December 5.-Congress
reassembled to-day under circumstances
Of unusual public interest. The same Con-
gress six months ago declared war against
Spain. and now, with the war fought and
won it has come together again for the
first legislative consideration Of the ques-
tions developed by the eventful months
Just passed.
The'spirit of the occasion was not, how
ever one Of immediate expectancy, for
the few months left OF the existence ot
the Fifty-nfth Congress gave promise Of
little more than a beginning OF the mo-
mentous policies and problems growing
out Of the war.
AS usual, all Washington turned IT'S at
tention to the Capitol for that gala event
which marks the opening day OF ses-
sion. The weather imposed no barriers,
for the hurricane of yesterday had given
way TO clearing skies and balmy air.
Long before the noon hour. when the
Senate and House began their work, the
corridors were filed with surging crowds,
CenleGlnS III lhc IoNuHu" "'iN "'"'N''''
han and pushing towards the private
galleries.
No evidences remained OF the explosion
and fire which recAty ravaged the build
ing
BEAUTIFUL SENATE SCENE.
When the Senate convened the chamber
presented a noble and beautiful appear
ance. BY II O'Clock the public and pri-
yate galleries were filled almost to their
full capacity with n distngmshed as
semblage, including many ladies in bril-
liant attire.
on the floor the display Of flowers was
unusually beautiful, even for the open
ing day OF session of Congress. The
odor of the flowers filed the chamber
Through the courtesy Of the Nice-Presi-
dent. the members of the Canadian Joint
High Commission were admitted to the
floor of the Senate and were the recipl-
ents Of much attention.
Inst before the session was called 70
order several well-known members of the
Diplomatic corps appeared In the dlplo-
matte gallery. Among them were Sir
IuIion Pauncefote Ambassador Of Great
Britain to the United States, and dean
OF the CORPS. with a party from the Brit
ish embassy: Mr.. Wung Fang. the Chi
nese Minister. and party and Mr. Ne
PUN Chin. the Korean Minister. All were
interested spectators of the opening
scenes of the session. and attentive lis
teners to the reading of the Presidents
message
OUR ENGLISH COUSINS.
r,rr,o q recees of three quarters OF an
hour while the Senate was awaiting the
presentation Of the message from the
president the members of the Joint High
Commission held an informal levee, greet
ing personally nearly all of the members
Of the American Senate
The reading of the Presidents message
which occupied two hours ana eighteen
minutes was received with very carelui
attention for an hour but after tnat the
senators driftsd to the cloak-rooms OF the
committee-rooms. where they could peruse
the message at their leisure. in the print
od comics which had been furnished them.
When the clerk had concluded the read
inc Mr.. Mason. Of Illinois. presented
telegram from Mr.. Pritchard, or North
carolina. announcing that Illness prevent
"a his attendance at the opening OF the
session. At $40 the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
In the House the greetings OF the mem
hers were most cordial, and there was no
outcroppng Of partisan rancor 10 ildi
the occasion. one Of the most strikhg
Incidents was the cordial meeting between
the floor leaders Of the respective sides
,Iessrs Dingley and Bailey. In view OF
the gossip about the possibility or MT.
Railey's being depossd as the minority
leader II is significant ,hat the speaker
named MIR. Bailey as the minority mem
her Of the committee to wait upon the
president. an honor always bestowed upon
the recognized leader OF the minority.
Sneaker Reed received a 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
Maior-General Wheeler. of Alabama, who
has not been seen by many OF mis- old col
leagues since he went TO the front at the
head of the cavalry division OF General
Shafter's army.
FLOWERS HERE, TOO.
THE floral tributes to-day were unusual
" numerous. and made the hall a verita-
HE hover of beautiful flowers. The pro-
ceedings themselves were dull, all interest,"
centering IN the reading OF the Pres-
dents message For over two hours the
clerk droned through the long document,
hut the interest OF members and specta-
tors never tagged. No expression OF ap-
proval or disapproval interrupted the
reading.
AT $50 O'Clock the House adjourned un-
I'll tomorrow.