The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-09
SENATE.

same congress, six months ago, de-
clared war against Spain, and now,
with the wal fought and won, it came
together again for the first legislative
consideration Of questions developed
by the eventful months just passed.
The spirit Of the occasion was not,
however, n of immediate expectancy,
for the few months left of the existence
Of the Ffty-fifth congress gave promise
Of little more than a beginning on the
mOmentous policies and problems grow
ing out Of the war.
AS usual all Washington turned it's
attention to the capitol for that gala
of a session. The weather imposed no
barriers, for the hurricane of yesterday
had given away to clearing skies and
balmy air. Long before the noon
hour, when the senate and house began
their work, centering in the rOtunda
and statutory hall and pushing towards
the private galleries. No evidence re-
manned of the explosion and fire which
recently ravaged the building.
When the enate convened the cham
Der presented a noble and beautiful
appearance. BY II o'clock the public
and private galleries were filled almost
to their capacity with a distinguished
assembIage, including many ladies in
brilliant attire.
On the floor the display of flowers
was unusually beautiful for the OPP
ening day of a session of congress.
The OdOr of the flowers filled the cham
Der.
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 re-
cipientS of much attention.
Just before the session was called
to order, several we'll known members
of the diplomatic corps appeared in the
diplomatic gallery. Among them were
Sir Julian PauncefOrte, ambassador
of Great Britain to the United States
and dean of the corps, with a party
from the British embassy; Mr.. WI.
Ting Fang, the Chinese minister and
party. Mr.. We Pun Chin, the Korean
minister was also present.
All were interested spectators OF
the opening scenes of the session and at
tentive listeners to the reading of the
presidents massage.
During a recess of three quarters of
an hour, while the senate was awaiting
the presentation Of the message from
the president the members of the joint
high commission, held an informal
levee, greeting personally nearly all OF
the members of the American senate.
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 perused the message
at their leisure in the printed copies
which had been furnished them.
When the clerk had concluded the
reading, Senator Mason, Of Illinois,
presented a telegram from Senator
Pritchard, of North Carolina, a%nnounc-
ing that illness prevented his attend
ance at the opening of the session.
Al O.tO lllo SbldJt duJOul llSu.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
In the house, the greetings of the
members were m cordial and there
was 10 ~OutcrOpping of partisan ran
cor to mar the occasion. One of the
most striking incidents was the cordial
meeting between the floor leaders of
the respective sides, MeSsrs. Dingley
and Bailey.
In view Of the gossip about the pos
sibility of Mr.. Bailey being deposed as
the minority leader it is significant that
the speaker named Mr.. Bailey as the
minority member of the committee tC
wait upOn the president, an honor al
ways bestowed upon the recognized
leader of the minority.
Speaker Reed received a warm well
come from both sides of the house when
he ascended the rOstrum to call the
house to order, but perhaps the great
est personal ovation to any member
was that given Major General WHEELER
of Alabama 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 today were I'M
usually numerous and made the hal
a veritable bower of beautiful flowers
The proceedings themselves were dull
all interest centering in the reading o.
the presidents message. For over two
hours the clerk drOned through The
long document, but the interest O.
members and spectators never tagged
No expressions of approval or disap
prevail interrupted the reading.
At $50 o'clock the house adjourned
until tomorrow.
TO INVESTIGATE THE WAR DE
PARTMENT.
Washington, December 5.-Represen'
tative Sulzer, of New York, ranking
democratic member of the house com