The age-herald., 1898-03-29
AS THE AIR OF DEATH
 LOWERED ABOUT Congress Heard Maipe Report and Presidents Y E'gs AMID PERFUME QS9 LOWERS On Desk of Late Repre-. tive Simpkins
 Great ss of APPLAUSE FLOATED THROUGH HALL When the Clerk Finished Reading and
 the Matter Was Referred. sENATO: ZONE IssPEAKs TO THE POINT Believes Weyler Was To ool In Higher Power Mere Provision of food and Clothing
 win Accomplish Little -Ameri-
 can Bayonets the Remedy.
sENATo. zoNE2sPEAKs TO THE POINT

Washington, March 2S.-The reading of the presidents message in the house to- day was listened to with breathless interest by members and spectators in the galler- ies, which were crowded like sardines in a box. Just one wave of applause swept from floor to ceiling, and then the death of Representative Simpkins of Massachu- setts was announced, and the house ad- journed.
 Except on the occasion of the inaugura- tion of president, no such crowds as surged through the corridors and stormed the galleries for admission have been seen | at the capitol for quarter of a century, Public interest in the findings of the board | Of inquiry appointed to investigate the dis aster which sent one of Uncle Sams noblest war vessels to the bottom of Havana har- Dor and sacrificed the lives of 260 brave American sailors, was at white heat.
 At daylight this morning the people were already seeking entrance to the capitol, and hours before noon, when the two houses convened, the marble stairways were choked with pushing, jostling people pressing toward the galleries.
 Wreath of Easter Lilies
 Upon the desk of the late Representative Simpkins of Massachusetts, who died sud- denly on Saturday night a wreath of Easter lilies interwoven with tulips, cro- cuses and lilies of the valley cast an air of sadness over the vast assembage.
 Fifteen minutes before the house convened the floor was cleared. The diplomatic and executive galleries shortly afterward were opened and before the gavel fell at noon not a seat was vacant. Altogether there was an unusually large number of ladies in the galleries, and their gay spring cos tunes added much to the brilliancy of the scene..
 Chairman Dingley and MT. Bailey and the other leaders entered the hall without dem- onstration.
 Exactly at 12 o'clock the speaker ascend ed the rostrum and called the house to order.
 Amid the impressive silence that fol- lowed the blind chaplain delivered sol- emn prayer, which ran through the hall like a warning. He referred to the storm clouds that hung about the country, threat ening to break at any time. He prayed to God to interpose His power that these clouds might pass away, leaving us in peace and tranquility.
 Yet if war must come" he prayed, "in vnd:cation of truth and justice, mercy and right, help us to be prepared with brain and heart and brawn to meet it. To this end be with the president and cabinet, our councillors and all officially connected with the affairs of state.
 There were no preliminaries, and while the journals were being read, Chief Ex- eclrtive Clerk Pruden appeared with the presidents message, which was announced as soon as the reading of the journal was concluded. The thronged galleries were hushed as the clerk carried the document down the main aisle and placed 1t on the speakers table, Speaker Reed himself broke the large seal of the envelope and without so much as looking at the mes- sage handed it to the clerk, at the same time announcing in a clear, distinct voice: "A message from the president of the United States.'
 With Breathless Interest
 No presidential message was ever hst- ened to with such breathess interest. Members sat with intense faces, straining to catch every word.
 When the reading of the message was concluded a wave of applause swept over the floor and galleries. The speaker im- mediately announced the reference of the message to the committee on foreign rela- tions under the, rules.
 MT. Bailey, the democratic leader, arose and said he understood the message would take that course without debate under the rules, but asked if the report of the board of inquiry had not accompanied the mes- sage.
 The speaker replied that foot note to the message contained this information, that the report and testimony had been transmitted 10 the senate.
 Would it be in order to ask unanimous consent to set apart Wednesday for the consideration of the message?' asked MT. McMillin, democrat, of Tennessee.
 '@rhe chair thinks not,' replied the speaker
 Meantime MT. Walker republican, of Massachusetts, was on his feet, and when recognized he announced as dean of tho delegation the death of his colleague, Rep- resentative Simpkins. The usual resolu- ions were adopted, and the speaker ap- 
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