The herald., 1898-12-06

LO0 k44\SI1<aO x1Esg<
their respective states since congress ad-
journed, were also overwhelmed with con-
gratulations.
The floral tributes which the scurrying
pages bore into the hall and desks of those
for whom they were destined Were much
more numerous than usual. Some of them
were OF gigantic size, completely concealing
the recipients.
There were huge baskets of roses, anchors,
horseshoes and floral pieces of many de-
signs.
CLEARING THE FLOOR
At HAS the floor was cleared of all those
not entitled to the privilege. The leaders,
as a rule, were late in arriving, but as they
appeared they were surrounded and cordi
ally greeted. Mr.. Hit of Illinois. chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Mr..
Dalzell of Pennsylvania, one of the members
of the Committee on Rules, and Mr.. Hen
derson of Iowa, of the same committee,
were each given an ovation.
Mr.. Dingley the floor leader Of the ma
jority, and Mr.. Bailey, the minority leader,
came in simultaneously from the lobbies of
their respective sides. Mr.. Bailey went i'm
mediately to his seat and Mr.. Dingley, as
soon as he could disengage himself from his
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 assembled
the rostrum. A wave of applause swept the
1loor and galleries upon his appearance.
A light smile played over his benign fea-
lures as he raised his gavel aloft. When it
fell with resounding whack a hush fell
on the vast assemblage.
THE OPENING PRAYER
The blind chaplain stood in his place A
moment the Speaker waited with every eye
riveted upon him. Every member rose to his
feet.
THE Chaplain will offer prayer" an
nounced the Speaker in low tones. Heads
were bowed reverently as the Chaplain, in
eloquent words, invoked the divine bless
irg, giving praise for the victory that had
attended our arms and the peace which had
come, and asking for strength and wisdom to
face the new problems which confronted
the nation.
At the conclusion of the chaplain's prayer
the speaker announced that the first bust
ness in order would be a call OF the roll to
determine the presence of quorum. While
the responses were being made General
Wheeler came in and took his seat in the
row Immediately in front of the speakers
rostrum. He was instantly surrounded by
half hundred members and received the
ovation Of the day.
THE ROLL CALL
The roll call developed the presence Of
267 members, l79 being a quorum. Three
new members were sworn in. MIR. Grosve-
nor, Ohio, presented Mr.. Charles Dick,
elected to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Mr.. Northway; Mr.. Allen, Missis-
sppi, Mr.. Thomas Spght, elected to fill the
vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr..
Sullivan, who was elected to the Senate.
and Mr.. Grow, 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.
Mr. Dingley, the floor leader, offered the
customary resolution for the appointment
of a committee of three to join similar
committee of the Senate to await upon the
President and inform him that the House
was ready to receive any communication he
had to make. 1t was unanimously adopted,
and the speaker appointed Mr.. Dingley, Mr.
Cannon and Mr.. Bailey.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
clerk of the Senate that the House was
ready to proceed to business. The House
then took a recess until l:30 to await the
arrival of the Presidents message.
THE MESSAGE READ
Wher the House reconvened after the
recess the committee appointed to wait up
on the President appeared and reported that
they had discharged their mission, and that
the President had said that he would COM
municate with Congress Immediately in
writing. Mr.. Dingley had hardly made this
report before Major Pruden, the Presidents
executive clerk, appeared and announced
the message of the President. The seal of
the envelope in which the message was
contained was broken by the speaker him.
self and it was Immediately laid before the
House. The members and the spectators
in the galleries settled themselves and gave
the reading earnest attention.
The presidents review of the causes lead.
ing up to the war, the manner in which the
for hostilities were made and
the succession of victories on land and sea,
were listened to with rapt attention. The
other provisions of the message were fol-
lowed with almost as much interest. There
was no expression of approval or disap-
proval throughout the reading As soon as
the reading was concluded, on motion of Mr.
Dingley, the message was ordered printed,
and then, at $3.50 p. m, the house was ad-
journed.
BILLS INTRODUCED