The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-06

washington, Dec. 5.-The opening
session of congress today was a spec
tacular occasion, animated and brilli-
ant There were more than the usual
number of distinguished personages in
the thronged galleries, including many
representatives OF foreign governments
high officials and ladies and gentlemen
conspicuous in social and political life
The greetings of the members were
most cordial, and there was no out
cropping of partisan rancor to mar the
occasion. One of the most striking in
cidents was the cordial meeting be-
Tween the floor leaders of the respec-
tive states, Messrs. Dingley and Bal
ley. In view of the gossip about the
possibility 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
to wait upon the president, an honor
| always bestowed upon the recognized
leader of the minority.
/ Speaker Reed received warm well
come from both sides of the house
when he ascended the rostrum to call
the house to order but perhaps the
greatest personal ovation to any men,
Der 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 Shat
ter's army.
Mr. w. A. Stone of Pennsylvania, Mr.
McMillin of Tennessee and Mr.. Sayers
I of Texas, who have been elected gov
ernors of their respective states since
congress adjourned, were also over
whelmed with congratulations.
The floral tributes today were unusu-
ally numerous, and made the hall a
Veritable bower of beautiful flowers.
The proceedings themselves were dull
all interest centering in the reading OF
the presidents message. For over two
hours the clerk droned through the long
document, but the interest of members
and spectators never tagged. With
rapt attention they followed the presi-
dents recital of the war, and listened
/ eagerly to every suggestion or recon-
mendation he had to offer. No express
sions of approval or disapproval inter
rupted the reading.
At las the floor was cleared of al
those not entitled to the privilege. The
| leaders, as rule, were late in arriv-
! ing, but as they appeared they were
surrounded and cordially greeted.
=
AS the hands of the clock pointed tc
noon the giant form of the speaker
pushed through the green baise doors
of the lobby in the rear of the hall, and
Mr.. Reed ascended the rostrum. A
wave of applause swept floor and gal
leries upon his appearance. A light
smile played over his benign features as
he raised his gavel aloft. When it fell
with resounding whack a hush fell
on the vast assembly. The great ebony
mace entwined with silver and sur
mounted with a silver eagle was lifted
into its place on its marble pedestal
spreading folds of American flags were
broken to the breeze about the bril-
liant stained glass ceiling and the house
of representatives entered upon the
closing session of the memorable wal
congress. The scene within the great
hall was animated, brilliant and pic
turesque.
The chaplain stood in his place. a
moment the speaker waited with every
eye riveted upon him. Every member
rose to his feet and many in the gal
leries.
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 blessing, giving praise foI
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
Three new members were sworn in,
Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio presented Mr..
Charles Dick, elected to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Mr.. Northway
Mr. Allen of Mississippi, Mr.. Thomas
Spight, elected to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Mr.. Sui
| livan, who was elected to the senate,
and Mr.. Grow of Pennsylvania, Mr.
William H. Graham, elected to fill the
vacancy caused by the resignation OF
Mr.. Stone, elected governor of Penn
sylvania. With uplifted hands they
took the oath.
Mr.. Dingley, the floor leader. offered
the customary resolution for the APP
pointment of a committee of three to
| join sSsimilar committee of the senate
to wait upon the president and inform
him that the house was ready to re-
ceive any communication he had to
make. 1t was unanimously adopted
and the speaker appointed Mr.. Dingley
Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Bailey.
The house then took a recess until
| 1:30 to await the arrival of the Dresi-
| dents message.
MESSAGE READ.
When the house reconvened after the
recess, the commitJee appointed tc
wait upon the president appeared and
reported that they had discharged theil
mission and that the president haC
said that ne would communicate witt
congress Immediately in writing. Mr.
| Dingley had hardly made this report
before Major Pruden, the president
executive clerk, appeared and an
nounced the message of the president
The. seal of the envelope in which the
message was contained was broken by
the speaker himself and it was immedi-
ately laid before the house. The mem
bers on the floor and the spectators II
the galleries settled themselves an6
gave the reading earnest attention.
The presidents review of the causes
| leading up to the war, the manner il
which the preparations for hostilitie:
were made and the succession victories
on land and sea were listened to witt
rapt attention. The other provisions
of the message We're followed with al
most as much interest. There was NJ
expression of approval or disapprova
throughout the reading.
AS soon as the reading was conclud