The Forrest City times., 1898-04-08
A KEEN DISAPPOINTMENT.
A Day of Intense Interest in Both
Branches of the Nation
al Legislature.
rgF GALLERIES LITERALLY PACKED
The Widow of BLACK Jack" Logan and
Her Ward. Evangelina Cossio Cisneros,
Among the Interested Spectators In the
Senate Gaiiery-The British Ambassa-
dor was In His Place-Dlsappointed.
Scene in the Senate Chamber.

Scene in the Senate Chamber.
WASHINGTON, April IA memorable
scene was presented at the opening of
the senate. An audience that tested
the full capacity of the accommodations
filled the galleries hours before the
senate convened. 1t was by no means
an ordinary crowd of gallery habitues
Members of the families of most of the
distinguished men in American public
life were there, prominent rep
resentatives of the several foreign
legations occupied the diplomatic gal
lery. and persons distinguished in all
walks of life had come to witness a
scene that promised to form an i'm
portant page in American history.
A message was to be received from
the president of the United States that
might in its results mean war between
two great nations, and intense interest
bordering upon anxiety was depicted
on every countenance
In the private gallery sat Mrs. John
A. Logan, widow of the brilliant
BLACK Jack" who won fame on many
hard-fought field. and served long in
the body upon which his widow now
looked. Accompanying her was Miss
Cisneros, her ward, who was rescued
from Spanish prison where she had
been incarcerated for allegiance to the
cause of Caba and her agents
In the diplomatic gallery was
the distinguished Sir Julian
Pauncefcte, the ambassador of Great
Britain. 1t was the first time he had
been in this place since the Inaugural
ticn of President Mckinley, and at that
time he occupied seat on the floor of
the senate.
Room in the executive gallery had
been reserved for party from the White
House, but the occupants were late
in coming.
Senator Proctor was the first senator
to make his appearance on the floor
AS he quietly went through the aisles
to his seat the gallery recognized him,
and slight ripple of applause ran
through the great crowd. Mr. Proctor
seemed to be embarrassed by the atten-
ton which he attracted, and soon after
ward went to the cloak-room.
A vase of beautiful Easter lilies oc-
cupied the desk of Mr.. Foraker when
the senate convened.
Mr.. Allison asked unanimous consent
that the senate resume consideration
of the sundry civil bill. This was
agreed to, and amid buzz in the gal
leries the clerk began to read the bill.
In the House.
In the house it was the same story,
every inch of space was occupied. The
arrangements for the reserved galleries
were excellent. Special cards had been
| issued, and though many failed to gain
admiss ion, owing to the lateness of
their arrival, those holding special
| tickets were well cared for.
On the floor the greatest excitement
and activity prevailed. The leaders
rushed hither and thither rallying
their forces. Rumors flew about. Here
indignation was riot against the re-
port that the president wodld ask for
| discretion as to when interven-
ton should take place; there
staunch supporter of the
president was counseling calmness;
here group was discussing the prob
ability of an alliance between the dem
ocrats and the dissatisfied republicans,
there an appeal to a group of republi-
cans was being made to stand sol
idly by the president and party
organization. The battle was al
ready on. In a corner of the
| capitol the house committee on
foreign affairs was meeting. In
the old library hail. the 'Reconcen-
trados" as the republicans who have
been urgent for action have been called,
were discussing the latest phase of the
/ s1ttttsttiiorr with stof my worJfs. Every
where was the militant spirit which
| comes with events that stir the blood
and quicken the pulses.
No more inspiring scene could be
witnessed than was presented by the
great hall of the house of representa-
tives just before the house met Tier
upon tier of people from the gallery
rail to wall stretched In an I'M
broken line, the gay colors of the
gowns and hats and flowers of
the ladies relieving the somber
black of the garments of the men.
Above the speakers desk the festooned
silk flag of the American republic was
to the eye the symbol of patriotism
which throbbed in every breast And
opposite the speakers chair the great
clock with its guarding warriors
licked away the minutes as the vast as
semblage waited the message which
carried the fortunes of the American
people.
There was much disappointment
manifested in the galleries of both
houses when the word was passed
around that the message would prob
ably be delayed, and all the occupants
seemed to show reluctance in giving
up the places from which they had ex-
pected to hear the words uttered that
might have plunged the country into
war.