The age-herald., 1898-04-07
THE MESSAGE
 THAT NEVER GAME Thousands That ThrOn6ed Capitol Turned
 Away in Disgust. STATESMEN WERE AMAZED Never Was There Such Scenes of UniV0R-
 sal Disappointment. SUNDRY CIVIL BILL IN SENATE The Reading Was Competed--The House WrangIed for Hours Over the Army
 Reorganization Bill, But tTrans-
 acted Little Business.
SUNDRY CIVIL BILL IN SENATE

o'clock this morning, until shortly before o'clock this afternoon, the thousands who had come to hear the presidents Cuban message turned away, weary and disgusted at the delay Never was there such dis appointment at the capitol.
 The members felt it even more keenly than the spectators. and for two hours af- terward they stood about the Hobbies dis cussing this latest phase of the situation. The news of the proposed armistice which came in on the heels of the announcement that Gen. Lee had cabled for delay re- ceived quite as much attention as the re- quest of Lee. The debate in the house over the army reorganization bill attracted little or no attention. It was completely over shadowed by the more absorbing question.
 Will Be Recommitted
 Considerable opposition to 1t developed on the ground that its provision for an extension of the regular army in time of war to 104 900 men would be inimical to the national guard and the volunteer forces up- on which the country had heretofore re- lied in time of stress. There will be strong effort to recommit the bill tomorrow
 Never in recent years, If ever at any time, has there been such demand for admission to the halls of congress as was made today.
 The people began to arrive at the east front of the capitol as early as o'clock, and notwithstanding the fact that the ther- mometer registered below the freezing point, they took their places at the doors and held them with a calm steadfastness and determination of purpose worthy of a most important question.
 The arrivals were scattering up to 7:30 o'clock but after that hour they came in large groups, and by S:30 the concerted grounds in front of the building were well covered with struggling people seeking in gress to the building in which they evil dently expected history tobe made during the day.
 The long stone steps leading to the sen ate and house wings and to the rotunda were literally covered. When the doors were opened they rushed into the capitol through the various openings like water from a swollen river breaking through defective levee.
 In five minutes time all the public gal leries were filled and the crowds in the cor riders were so dense that 1t was difficult to believe that any found seats and had been removed from the throng.
 Policemen Struggled for Order
 Upon the issue of the day tens of thousands who swarmed to the capital be- lieved depended peace or war. Within tho people almost overran the blue coated po- hcman who struggled to hold them in cheek. In great waves the irresistible stream surged on up the marble stairways to the galleries, in front of the doors of which the great mass pressed, woman fainting n the press, and old men and children crushed by those behind.
 The arrangements for the reserved gal leries were excellent.
 Special cards had been issued and though many failed ito gain admission, 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 report that the president would ask for discretion as to when in- teTvenTtion should take place; there staunch supporter of the president was counseling calmness; here a group was dis crssing the probability of an alliance be- tween the democrats and the dissatisfied republicauls there an appeal to a group of republicans was being made to stand sol- idly by the president and the party or- ganization.
 The battle was already In corner of the capitol the house committee on for eign affairs was meeting. In the old li- brary hall the "reconcentrados," as the re- publicans who have been urgent for action are called, were discussing the latest phase of the situation with stormy words EW- erywhere was the militant spirit which comes with events that stir the blood and quicken the pulses. D
 An Inspiring Scene No more inspiring scene could be wit messed than was presented by the gr5 at hail of the house of representatives just before the house met. Tier upon tier or people in the gallery to the wall stretched in unbroken lines about the pit where the members sit the gay colors of the gowns and hats and flowers of the ladies relieving the sombre black of the garments of the men, Above the speakers desk, the fes- tooned silk flag of the American republic was to the eye the ocular symbol Of the patriotism which throbbed in the breast. And opposite the speakers chair the. great clock, with its guarding warriors, ticked away the minutes as the vast assemblage awaited the measure which carried the for tunes of the American people.
 As the hands of the clock pointed to 12 o'clock Speaker Reed pushed his way through the green baize doors leading to the lobby of the house and ascended the rostrum With two whacks of the gavel the great multitude was hushed The members and many of the specta- tors in the gallery arose and stood with bowed heads as the blind chaplain of the house delivered a solemn invocation for the Divine aid in this days deliberations. There was a general understanding upon the floor soon after the house assembled that the message would not be sent to con- gress probably until 8 o'clock, and the members settled fin their seats to await with what patience they could for it to ap- pear.
 In the packed galleries this fact was not known and they momentarily expected it's appearance. As the families or many or the members could not obtain admission to the galleries, MT. Bailey asked if the speaker could entertain request that the members be permitted to bring their fami- lies upon the floor.
 The speaker answered in the negative. The rules strictly prohibited him from en- tertaining such n request.
 Army Reorganization Bill If having been arranged last Friday that the army reorganization bill shall be a special order for today (not to interfere with report from the committee on for