The Monticellonian., 1899-12-08
CONGRESS IN SESSION.
The Opening of the Fifty-Sixth Eongress Witnessed by Large
 Throngs of Spectators.
THE GALLERIES WERE ALL PACKED.
The Senate Chamber Presented the Appearance of Conseryatory- The Roberts Case the Principal Matter of Interest in the House Wing of the Capitol.
Senate.

Wing of the Capitol.
 Senate.
 Washington, Dec. 4.-In the shadow of the recent death, the senate COL vened at noon, in it's first session of the Fifty-sixth congress. The death of Vice-President Hobart cast pail over the preliminary proceedings at the north end of the great marble capi- tol
 A VeritabIe Conservatory.
 As usual on the opening days of d session of congress, the chamber was 9 veritable conservatory. The odor cf the rarest loyeliest of blooming plants was heavy on the air. Scarcely sen- ator VI Is fckgotten in the lavish floral display and particularly notable was the offering of flowers to the new members of the body. The desks 10 which they had been assigned were loaded with the choicest selections from the public and private conserva- tories of the city.
 Not Yet Officially Informed
 Attention was called to the fact that no emblem of mourning appeared on the vice-president's desk. This appar- ent omission was explained by the statement that the senate had not been informed officially of MT. Ho- bart's death. Pending the actual con vening of the senate the chamber pre- sented most animated and pictur- esque scene. The galleries were filled with brilliant and distinguished au- dience.
 In the Diplomatic Gallery.
 In the diplomatic gallery were sev- eral prominent members of the diplo- matic corps, among whom was Lord Pauncefote, the British ambassador, and Lady Pauncefote.
 Promptly at noon, MT. Frye, of Maine, president pro tenn, called the senate to order. The chaplain, Rev Dr. Milblirn, pronounced the invoca- ton. making beautiful and touching reference to the death of e-President Hobart
 The New Senator's
 Mr. Bacon (Georgia) was the first member to be recognized by the chair. l. iory (Florida), who was detained from the session by illness, the credentials of Senator-eleet Taliaferro of Florida They were filed.
 Mr. Penrose (Pa-) presented the ere dentials of Matthew Stanley Quay, ap- pointed senator from Pennsylvania by the goverlAr
 On motion of Mir. CoekreH (Mo.) the credentials of Mir. Quay were referred to the committee on privileges and elections.
 In this connection Mir Chandler (N. H) offered a resolution that Senator Quay be admitted as senator from Pennsylvania. This resolution also went to the committee on privileges and elections.
 8cmonstrnnces Against Quay.
 Remonstrances and memorials against the seating of Mr. Quay were presented by Mir. Burrows (rep., Mich.) and NIT. Jones (dem, Ark.)
 The credentials of Mir. Hayward (Seb) were presented, and subse- quently the announcement was made by Mir Thurston (Neb.) that owing to critical illness, Mir. Hayward was una ble to be present.
 By direction of the chair, the new secretary's desk, where the oath of of flee was administered to them by the president pro tenn.
 Mr. Sewell(N. J. J.)announced the death of Nice-President Hobart. and offered the following resolutions:
 Resolved, That the senate has re- ceived, with deepest regret. informa- ton of the death of Garret Augustus Hobart, late vice-president of the Unit ed States.
 Resolved. That the business of the senate be suspended in order that the distinguished public services of the de- ceased and the virtues of his private character may be feelngly commemo- rated
 The resolutions were adopted,and the senate, at 12:33 ?. m., adjourned.
 After the administration of the tath roll call showed the presence of f6 members.
 Mir. Cullom Qll.) offered the usual resolution that the secretary of the senate inform the house of representa- tives that 1t was ready to proceed to business.
 House.
 Washington, Dec. 4.-Seldom. if ever, have such enormous crowds swarmed about the house to wifi ness the opening scenes of the ses- sion as besieged the doors today. The assembling of new congress always attracts X big attendance. The DIG ceedings the case of Representative elect RoAerts, which promised to be ex citing and possibly sensational, fur nished an additional attraction. For hours before noon, the hour for the house to meet, people streamed through the corridors to the galleries which looked down upon the arena where the statesmen were congrcgat- Ing.
 \ Brilliant Gnthering.
 By II o'clock brilliant gathering had assembled. The galleries were black with people, and through the .l |.