The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-06
A SESSION
0FINTEREST
Re-aSSemblins Of the
War Congress.
IA BRILLIANT SCENE.
The Galleries Filled With Dis
tinSuiShed Visitors.
GREETINGS MOST CORDIAL.
Members Met With No
Show of RanCOr.
GENERAL WHEELER'S OVATION.
He Was More Warmly Welcomed than
Any Other Member Floral Tri-
butes Were HandsOmer Than
Usual - Reed Recognized
Mr.. Bailey as Leader
of the Minority - A
Very Warm Wei
come was Ac-
corded the
Speaker
GENERAL WHEELER'S OVATION.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 5.-Congress
re-assembled to-day under circumstances
Of unusual public interest. The same
Congress six months ago declared war
against Spain. and now, with the war
fought and won, il came together again
for the first legislative consideration or
the questions developed by the eventful
months just passed.
The spirit of the occasion was not. now
ever, one Of immediate expectancy, Tor
the few months left OF the existence OF
the Fifty-ffth Congress gave promise Of
little more than a beginning Of the mo-
mentous policies and problems growing
out of the war.
As usual all Washington turned its at
tention TO the Capitol for that gala event
which marks the opening day of session.
The weather imposed no barriers, for the
hurricane OF yesterday had given way TO
clearing skies and balmy air.
CORRIDORS CROWDED.
Long before the noon hour. when the
Senate and House began their work, the
corridors were filed with surging crowds,
centering in the rotunda and statuary
hall, and pushing towards the private gal
lerles. No evidences remainede Of the ex-
plosion and fire, which recently ravaged
the building.
When the Senate convened the cham
bers presented a noble and beautiful aD-
pearance. BY II o'clock the public and
private galleries were filed almost TO
their capacity with a distinguished as
semblaae including many ladies in bril-
liant attire.
On the ncor the display of flowers was
unusually beautiful, even for the opening
day Of a session of Congress. The odor
Of the flowers filed the chamber.
Through the courtesy Of the Vice-Presi-
dent, the members OF the Joint High
Commission were admitted to the floor
Of the Senate. and were the recipients
oi much attention.
DISTINGUISHED SPECTATORS.
Just before the session wasaoalled to
order several wel-known members of
the diplomatic corps appeared i'm the
diplomatic gallery. Among them were
Sir Julian Pauncefort. Ambassador Of
Great Britain to the United States ard
dean of The corps, with a party from
the British embassy; Mr.. Wing Fang, the
Chinese minister. and party; Mr. Ye PUN
Chin. the Korean minister was also
present.
All were interested spectators OF the
tive listeners to the reading Of the Presi-
dents message.
During a recess Of three-quarters Of an
hour. while the Senate was awaiting the
presentation OF the message from the
President. the member of the Joint High
Commission held an Informal levee, greet
ing personally nearly all of the members
of the American Senate.
THE MESSAGE READ.
The reading Of the Presidents message,
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 oI
to the committee rooms where they
could peruse the message at their leisure
In the printed copies which had been
furnished them.
When the clerk had concluded the
reading. Mr.. Mason, OF Illinois. presented
a telegram from Mr.. Pritchard. of North
Carolina. announcing that illness pre-
vented his attendance at the opening of
the session. At $40 the Senate adjourned.
CORDIAL GREETINGS.
In the House the greetings Oi the men,
bers were most cordial and there was no
cropping of partisan rancor TO mar the
occasion.
one of the most striking incidents was
the cordial meeting between the foof
leaders Of the respective sides, Messrs
Dingley and Bailey.
In view of the gossip about the possi-
bility of Mr.. Bailey being deposed as the
minority leader, 1t is significant that the
Speaker named Mr.. Bailey as the minori-
ty member OF the committee to walt upon
the President an honor always bestowed
upon the recognized leader OF the minor
ity.
REED WELCOMED.
Speaker Reed received warm welcome
from both sides of the House when he
ascended the rostrum to call the House
10 order. but perhaps the greatest per-
sonal ovation to any member was that
given Major General Wheeler. Of Alaba-
ma, who has not been seen by many OF
his old colleagues since he went TO the
front at the head of the cavalry division
of General Skaters army.
The floral tributes to-day were unus-
ualIy numerous and made the hall a veri-
table bower of beautiful flowers. The
proceedings themselves were duh. all In
terest centering In the reading of the
Presidents message. For over two hours