The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-06
APATHY IN THE SENATE.
Members Did Not Even Listen to the
Message.

@-~-Sett0S-
Washington, Dec. 5.-When the SEN
ate convened today to begin the closing
session of the Fifty-fifth congress, the
chamber presented a notable and
beautiful appearance.
By II o'clock the public and private
galleries were filed almost to their
capacity with a distinguished as
semblage including many ladies in
brilliant attire. On the floor of the
senate the display of flowers was I'M
usually beautiful, even for the open
ing day of a session of congress. The
'odor of flowers filed the chambers.
The memorable scenes enacted in the
chamber during the last session and
the mOmentOuS events that have oc-
CURED since congress last adjourned
created a feeling of intense expectancy
on the part of both the spectators and
the members of the senate. This was
made manifest by the long lines of
people in the corridors anxious to gain
admission to the galleries and by the
early arrival of the senators on the
floor. Through the courtesy of the
vice president the members OF the joint
high commission were admitted to the
floor of the senate and were the reclpl-
ents of much attention.
Just before the senate was called to
order several well known members OF
the diplomatic corps appeared in the
diplomatic gallery. Among them were
Sir Julian Pauncefote, ambassador OF
Great Britain to the United States
and dean of the corps, with party
from the British embassy; Mr. WI
Ting Fang. the Chinese minister, and
party, and Mr.. Ye PUN Chin, the
Korean minister. All were interested
spectators of the opening scenes Of
the session and attentive listeners to
the reading of the presidents message.
The reading of the presidents mes
sage, which occupied two hours and
eighteen minutes, was received WITH
very. careful attention for an hour, but
after that the senators drifted to the
cloak rooms or to the committee rooms,
where they could peruse the message
at their leisure in the printed COPIES
with which they had been furnished.
BLIND CHAPLAIN's PRAYER.
Promptly on the strike of IL, Vice
President Hobart entered, and. ascend
ing to his desk, raped for order.
Mr.. Milburn, the venerable bind
chaplain. in q profoundly Impressive
manner returned 'Devout and. reverent
thanks for Gods goodness to us as
nation, and for his care of US since
last gathered in the chamber.
BY that good providence the chap
lain prayed, triumph has crowned our
arms by land and by sea, and so that
peace has come to US through the coun-
ell chamber. Let thy grace be the por-
ton of our people, and may their hearts
be rendered in service to thee and to
all men. We pray that thy blessing
may be with the queen regent of Spain
and her young son, and on her nation.
May thy heavenly grace come to Sc
cure and uplift and uphold that
stricken people. Grant that all good
may be given to us, our motherland,
and to all nations, and may we walk IN
hand with our brethren across the sea
to the heights of Christian civilization.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont and Mr.. Cock
rell of Missouri were named by the
vice president to join like committee
of the house of representatives, to call
on the president.
Mr. Mcbride of Oregon presented the
credentials of his newly elected col
league. Mr.. Simon, to whom the vice
president administered the oath of Of
fee.
MESSAGE READ.
At1:25 D. m. the committee appointed
to wait upon the president reported the
performance of its duties, and an
nounced that the president would COM
mun1cate with the senate In writing.
Scarcely had the report been made
when Major Pruden, executive clerk of
the president, entered the chamber and
presented the message. Vice President
Hobart laid it before the senate at once
and it's reading was begun at 1928 D. m.
The reading of the message occupied
two hours and eighteen minutes. Many
persons remained in the galleries
throughout the reading, but, as is
usual, little attention was given to the
presentation of the message, either in
the galleries or on the floor, after the
first few pages
Many of the senators who had been
provided with printed copies of the
message retired either to the cloak
rooms or to the committee rooms to
read the document at leisure. Not the
slightest demonstration occurred dur
ing the reading of the message.
When the clerk had concluded the
reading, Mr.. Mason of Illinois present.
ed a telegram from Mr.. Pritchard Of
North Carolina announcing that i'll
ness prevented his attendance at the
opening of the session.
At 3:45, on motion of Mr.. Plat of
Connecticut, the senate adjourned.