Evening star., 1900-12-12

scheme of decoration on the front of the
Capitol caused some comment because OF
committee charged with decorating the build
Ing discovered that neither the ar nor Navy
Department had flags in this city that
could be borrowed for fuse at the Capitol.
telegraphed to the Brooklyn navy yard for
supply of colors for decorative purposes,
and they were sent by express. Sailors
from the Dolphin put them up.
Hall of House.
The hall of the Houss of Representatives
was resplendent with color today, lent by
the presence OF the flags of all nations
which were draped around the galleries and
over the front row of desks. The national
ensigns of European and South American
countries were interspersed with the Amer
festooned bunting.
The British ensign hung from the ladies'
gallery, next to the presidential gallery,
while over the latter hung small Ameri-
can flag and the Persian colors. The
decorations were placed by sailors from the
Dolphin, who borrowed from the ship $
flag lockers for the purpose:
Representative SulZer Of New York found
this note on his desk purporting to be
signed by sailors of the Dolphin and the
sylph
I'VE. the bluejackets of the United States
navy who decorated the House of Repre-
sentatives. take pleasure in wrapping the
Boer flag around your desk, hoping you will
continue to champion the cause of liberty
and freedom and any other oppressed peo-
pie in the world
Mr.. Sulzer read the note. but failed to find
the. Boer flag. He instituted an inquiry,
but none Of the officials of the House had
seen the flag, and were inclined to take the
note as an attempt to joke the New York
man.
SO much adverse comment was occasioned
among members and others about the use
OF foreign flags In the decorations that
later in the afternoon the British ensign
was covered with large streamer of red.
white and blue, concealing it. The royal
German flag was permitted to remain. how
ever, together with the battle flags of other
nations.
Arrival at House.
Accommodation for the participants in
the exercises held in the hall of the House
of Representatives was provided by placing
chairs between the seats of the members of
the House. A row of leather-covered chairs
was placed in semi-circe in front of the
Speakers rostrum for the President, the
cabinet and the Supreme Court.
The galleries, access to which was fur
nished by card only began to fill up by 2
o'clock many guests preferrins getting
front seats to remaining the reviewing
stand until the parade had been reviewed.
Before the commencement of the exercises
the galleries were packed. every seat being
OcCupleu ny an interested auQlence, WnlCn
included many distinguished persons.
Members OF the House began to arrive
before 3 O'Clock and took seats in the rear
of the hall. leaving the front seats for the
Senate the Supreme Court and other ju-
dietary and the governors of states and
their staffs.
At $3.50 o'clock the House was called to
order by Speaker Henderson. When the
President. the cabinet and the Senate en-
tered the chamber the assembled audience
arose and remained standing until they
were seated. After prayer by the chaplain
the gavel was handed to Senator Frye,
President pro tempore of the Senate who
presided over the proceedings which en-
sued.
Exercises in the Capitol.
At $3.50 o'clock commemorative exercises
were held jointly by the Senate and the
House of Representatives in the House
chamber in honor of the first meeting of
Congress in the permanent Capitol. The
program included addresses as follows:
Transfer of the National Capital From
Philadelphia by Representative James d.
Richardson Of Tennessee; Establishment
of the Seat of Government in the District
of Columbia by Representative Serene E.
Payne of New York; History of the First
Century of the National Capital" Senator
Louis f. McComas of Maryland: 1.-The
Future of the United States and Tits Capt.
tal.' John w. Daniel. senator of Virginia
and an historical oration, by Senator Geo
F. Hoar of Massachusetts.