The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-06
Senator's Pay Little Attention to the
gentatives Listen Eagerly.
Mr.. SULzER TO THE FRONT
WITH a RESOLUTION CALLING FOR
INVESTIGATION OF THE WAR.
Gen "JOe" Wheeler Proposes a Medal
and Thanks of Congress for Helen
Gould - other Measures.

sion of the F1tty-fifth Congress convened
at noon to-day. The opening was attended
by the usual frst-day Incidents Flowers
were piled on the desks of popular MEM
bers and the galleries were occupied by
visitors of distinction In the diplomatic
gallery, just before the Senate convened,
appeared Sir Julian Pauncefote. the British
ambassador and party, Mr. WI Ting Fang,
the Chinese minister, and attaches of his
legation, and some other members of the
diplomatic corps. On the floor Lord Her
schell, the chief representative of Great
Britain on the joint high commission, came
accompanied by Mr.. T. Jefferson Coolidge,
of Mississippi. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Sir
Richard Cartwright, Sir Louis Davies and
Mr.. Charlton, members Of the commission,
were also on the floor
Promptly on the stroke of u o'clock Vice
President Hobart entered, and, ascending to
his desk, raped for order. Rev. Mr.. Mil
burn, the venerable blind chaplain, in
profoundly impressive manner, returned
"Devout and reverent thanks for Gods
goodness to us as a nation, and for His
care of us since we last gathered in this
chamber" A call of the Senate developed
the presence of sixty-seVen members. The
usual resolutions were offered and adopted,
and a committee appointed to wait on the
President At 1875, after a thirtyminute
recess Major o. l.. Pruden appeared with
the Presidents message. The reading oc-
cupied two hours and eighteen minutes.
Most OF the senators had printed copies of
the document and they retired. Few men,
bers listened to the clerk, and there was no
demonstration during the reading. The
Senate adjourned at 3:45.
The galleries of the House were packed
"a Of
Reeds gavel came down with sharp crack,
the great ebony mace entwined with silver
and surmounted by a silver eagle was
lifted to its place on its green marble ped
estal, the spreading folds of the American
flag We're broken to the breeze above the
brilliant stained-glass ceiling, and the
House of Representatives entered upon the
closing session of the memorable war Con-
gress. The scene within the great ball
was animated, brilliant and picturesque.
The sea of desks within the brass rails,
which cut off the lobbes, spreading in solid
circular lines from the speakers rostrum
like waves were veritable flower garden.
A majority of the members were in their
places while above the encircling galleries
were banked to the doors with people.
The leaders, as a rule, were late IN ar
riving but as they appeared they were sur
rounded and cordially greeted. Mr.. hitt of
Illinois, chairman of the committee ON for
eign affairs; Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsylvania,
one of the members of the committee on
rules; Mr.. Henderson, of Iowa, of the came
committee, were each given an ovation. Mr.
Dingley the floor leader of the majority
and Mr. Bailey, The minority leader, came
in simultaneously from the lobbies of their
respective sides. MIR. Bailey went ilnmedi-
~; ,UI0x
as he could disengage himself from the
friends who crowded about him. crossed
over to the Democratic side and shook
hands with his political adversary.
AS the hands of the clock pointed to noon
the giant form of the speaker pushed
through the green baize doors of the lobby
in the rear of the hall and Mr. Reed as
cended the rostrum. A wave of applause
swept floor and galleries upon his appear
ance. A slight smile played over his be-
ngn features as he raised his gavel aloft
When it fell with resounding whack hush
fell upon the vast assemblage. The blind
chaplain stood in his place. A moment the
speaker waited with every eye riveted
upon him. Every member rose to his feet
and lmany of those in the galleries. THE
chaplain will offer prayer" announced the
speaker in low tones. Heads were bowed
IeVerently as the chaplain IN eloquent
words invoked the divine blessing.
The roll call developed the presence Of 267
members, 179 being a quorum. Three new
members were sworn in. Mr.. Grosvenor,
of Ohio, presented Charles Dick, elected to
FIJI the vacancy caused by the death of Mr.
Northway; Mr. Allen, of Mississippi, Mr.
Thomas Splght, elected to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Mr.. Sullivan,
who was elected to the Senate, and Mr..
Grow, of Pennsylvania, Mr.. William II.
Graham, elected to fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation of Mr.. Stone, elected
Governor of Pennsylvania. With uplifted
hands they took the oath.
After the appointment of the customary
committee TO wait ON the President a recess
was taken until 1:30 p. m. When the House
reconvened Major Pruden presented the
message and 1t was read. Nearly all the
members listened attentively. The Pres
idents review of the causes leading up to
the war; the manner in which the prepara-
tlons for hostlities were made and the sue
cession of victories on land and sea were
followed with much interest. There was no
expression of approval or disapproval
throughout the reading. AS soon as the
reading was concluded the message was or
dered printed, and then. at $3.50 p. m, the
House adjourned.