The times., 1898-04-12

appointment the washington crowns
gathered. at the Capitol early yesterday
TO listen to the reading Of the message
which nigh be pregnant with war or over
flowing with the promise of peace. The
anxiety TO secure good seats was en-
hanoed owing to the pledge Of the Presi-
dent Sunday night that the message
would so in yesterday without perad-
venture and without change. The scenes
were but repetition of those when on
previous days the message was promised
and the crowds gathered only to wait
impauently for hours then to be put off
with excuses and re-ire TO their homes
disgusted or out Of all patience with our
Administration that seemed to find it inn
possible to make up its mind on questions
OF policy or Of facss.
When the Senate convened there was
the same sea Of expectant faces that ap-
pared last Wednesday; the same crowd
OF blithesome women with the exception
that Easter had meanwhile added TO the
Rayetyof attire and thrown a lot of bright
coloring into the picture. The galleries
We're crowded bur owing to the excel
lence OF the police arrangements, not be-
yond their capacity. There were men
there who had come from remote cities
10 see what they believed would be the
event Of a lifetime, fondly hoping that
the message would be such a stirring and
patriotic document that Congress would
be swept from its feet and declare war
out OF hand. But no such a climax was
possible for such a commonplace mes
sage.
Diplomats Present.
The diplomatic gallery was filled with
the cream Of the corps. These diplomats.
accustomed TO the sensations that conti-
mental Europe afford, come to the Capitol
looking for something that would re-
lieve the ennui that Lent has enforced.
but they find il not Sir Julian Paunce-
fote dean Of the corps fun Of hope for
the Anglo-Saxon alliance and confident
that the coming situation would result in
a condition that would wipe out American
prejudice against John Bull and lead TO
the alliance, offensive and defensive he
stiu hopes TO arrange, occupied the front
row of the gallery. He appeared there
IN the democratic simplicity OF civilian
clothes, and only his familiar face indi-
Gated 10 The galleries that he was the
personal representative of the one power
that was ready to stand by the United
States in the event Of European com
plication. Sir Julian evidently had had
no tip as to the contents Of the message
Tor he listened intently and drank in ev-
cry word as it fell rather unintelligibly
from the lips of a reading clerk who
talked as il he had lost some of his teeth
or had a mouth full Of hot mush. Sir
Julian was accompanied by Mr. Henry
Adams, first secretary Of the embassy
Near by sat Mr. Cambon, the new French
ambassador. representing a country
where reside a major part of the credit
ors OF the nation with whom the United
States is threatening TO 90 to war With
him was NJ Bouve. first secretary
Among the other diplomats were Baron
Hengelmulier, the Austrian minister, The
government which gave to the world the
queen regent. mother Of the little king
Alphonso, and naturally interested in the
text Of the message. Several attaches
were present, including those from the
Chinese legation, always picturesque and
always inperturbable. Madame Romero.
wife of the Mexican minister was in the
gallery, accompanied by several other Ia
dies of the legations. Two Of the officers
OF The italian school ship now anchored
in the Potomac, were also in the gallery,
through the courtesy Of the Italian
charge d'afairs.
Tae private gallery set apart for the
use OF senators ana their families did not
begin 10 accommodate the demands made
upon II and severaI Of the wives Of prom
inent senators who went TO the Capitol
late failed 10 get inside Of the gallery at
all The President Of the United States
and rhe Nice-President each control one
pew ID the gallery, the only distinction
being that that Of the President is in
front Rarely IS il occupied but yester-
day il was flled by the ladies who are
visiting AIRS. Mckinley and these ladies.
accompanied by their escorts. found il q
tight TT 10 get into the pew. The Vice
President. likewise. had issued two tickets
more than his pew would ordinarily ac-
commodate but the occupants made room
and for TWO hours the distinguished
guests accommodated themselves 10 the
situation and bore the punishment
inflicted upon them without a murnlur.
In oth1r parts OF this gallery were Mrs.
Davis. wife Of the chairman Of the COM
Inittee on Foreign Relations; Mrs. Fora
ker, Mrs Burrows. Mrs. Fairbanks Mrs
Chandler, Mrs. Mason and others.
Everybody had the tip that there would
be no disarrangement Of the program
Mr. Pruden was expected early. and even
the Introduction Of bills and petitions in
accordance with the ordinary routine
program Of The Senate did not disconcer,
The crowds. This was but a prelude
10 what was 10 come, and the prelude
was Of short duration. II was just three
minutes after y o'clock when Secretary
Pruden entered the chamber Mr.. Quay
was al that time entering a protest
against certain peace memorials that had
been sent 10 him. Meanwhile. Mr.. Pru.
cen stood In the aisle holding in his
hands The precious document, so full OF
promise and so weak in the fulfnment
When Mr.. Quay had concluded. Mr. Pru-
den was announced and presented mes.
sage IN writing as he has done for twenty
years past without a CULVER and Ia the
most perfunctory manner possible The
package was carried 10 the Vice-Presi.
dents desk and Mr. Pruden started to.
wards The House with another copy fol
that BODY The appearance Of Mr. Pru.
den caused a crauing Of necks toward.
the main door, and whispers announcing
the arrival Of the message We're hurriedly
circulated throughout the gallery. 4 hun