New-York tribune., 1900-12-04
IN THE HOUSE.
REAnISG OF THE PRESIDENTS MES
sAGE-xEw MEMBERS ADMITTED.
my rEInoRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

these did not depend on the inoistinct ana fire.
quently unintelligible enunciation Of the clerk
but scanned printed copies of the Presidents
summary OF events and recommendations which
had been distributed when the executive secre-
tary Colonel Pruden, appeared at the door op-
posite the Speaker Immediately after the recess
and sonOrousy announced: II am directed by
the President OF the United States TO deliver a
message In writing" Before the clerk had
droned half way through the message the
Democratic side practically deserted, the
galleries had almost enptied. and not more than
dozen Republicans remained in their seats
although the cIoakrooms were uncomfoFtably
crowded and the proceedings in them were not
wholly inRudible.
THE FLOWER SHOW.
The aoor OF the House never presented
eayer appearance than IL did half hour be-
fore noon AS bright woman in the Execu-
tive pews described Il afterward: 1T was just
like Memorial Day over at Arlington" More
than half OF the $50 desks on the Republican
side were loaded down with flowers; gorgeous
baskets ard pyramids OF chrysanthemums and
hybrid roses punches Of brilliant cut blossoms
and broad ribbons. huge set pieces and modest
halls OF .iolets ali with cards attached, some
from constituents at home, others from ad-
Ynirers I'm Washington. from department clerks
in gratitude for their positions, and a few under
the strong suspicion OF having been paid for by
their recipients.
Great partiality was evidenced in the distT1bu-
ton for nearly one hundred Republicans desks
were decorated while less than thirty Demo-
Gratis received such proofs Of personal popu-
larity. Perhaps the most bounteously favored
was Representative BabcOck Of Wisconsin
chairman Of the District Committee and OF the
Conversational Campaign Committee. The resi-
dents Of the capital and local interests anecteo
by legislation never fail 10 show tEeiT apprecia-
ton OF the head Of this committee-a post which
may soon be vacated by Mr.. Babcock, on ac-
count Of his pressing duties as member or the
Wavs and Means Committee, 10 which he was
appointed to-day 10 III the Dolliver vacancy.
Little DR. Norton OF Ohio completely hid
den. even when he stood. by the towering yellow
chryssnthemums On HIS desk. The new Phila-
delphia member. General Morrell who was
sworn IN to-day. and who is one OF the tallest
and handsomest members. sat under a canopy
OF American Beauties and ribbon streamers
under the sponsorship OF the Father of the
House." Mr. Bingham. Among the other nota-
ble horticultural exhibits, those Of Wachter, OF
Baltimore; Fowler, Of Elizabeth; Daizen, of
Pirtsburg; Page Morris. Of Duluth; Underwood
of Hirmingham Ala. and Rodenberg. Of East
ST Louis were conspicuous. the latter's display
being surmOLnted by an American flag Sibley
and Champ Clark had boxes OF violets Sulzer
and Richardson had white roses. and Louden-
slager had carnations in profusion.
But most OF the really great men did not take
part In the picturesque competition. and had
their flowers removed to their committee rooms
or their homes before they could be generally
Identified From small beginnings ten years
ago, when the desk Of the Father OF the House."
the Speaker and half dozen leaders were orna-
mented with a few simple flowers at the opening
Of sessions. the custom has developed until to-
day 1t had reached alarming and expensive
ment. and in some instances taking the ap-
pearance OF rivalry of conceit.
MEMBERS EXCHANGE GREETINGS.
Just before the gathering Of Representa-
tives greeting another in the seni-circular
space before the Speakers desk was larger and
more tumultuous than is usual even in the
years Of Presidential elections when most
felicitations occur among those who have been
returned for the succeeding Congress In this
group were Speaker Henderson Messrs Payne
Grosvenor, Hit Cannon, Hepburn. Ray. Hull.
Mercer and Ketcham
The chaplain's prayer promptly at noon was
followed by the rolican Of States which had
% be suspended twice before it's conclusion on
account of the turmoil on the floor, while the
Speaker vigorously raped for order that men,
hers might hear their names. AS It was, 2T5
answered the cali. and probably 800 were pres
ent altogether. Among the absentees was
Joseph Wheeler. who had not answered TO his
name at any can in the present Congress:
GRlusha A. Grow. who first answered 10 his
name in the House in 1852 and DolIiver who
had been promoted 20 TIE Senate.
NEW MEMBERS SWORN IN.
Following the rOllcsn eight Of the nine men,
berH elected 20 MI vacancies appeared at the
bar OF the House TO take the oath First OF
these was Representative Shaw Of the XxIVth
New-Hork District x-Commander-in-Chief OF
the G. A r., whose formal credentials had not
arrived and who was sworn through courtesy OF
unanimous consent. In his autobiography IN
the Congressional Directory issued to-day
Consulate al Manchester. England. IN 1885 for
being an offensive partisan by President
the eompluisance with which the Democratic
the House.
Another OF the new members was Edward
Morreii' OF Pennsylvania, who was elected 20
the seat made vacant by the death OF the
Father OF the House." Mr. Harmer His
ancestors were old time Philadelphians and he
vas born al Newport, r. J., while his parents
We're We S sS3o1rning az that resort He adds that
IN 1879 he married Louise BouVier Drexel'
he Is handsome and as well groomed as General
Bingham.
Another was Woods a lawyer Of Stockton
Cal. successor OF Marion De Yries. who re-
signed 20 go on the Board OF General Appraisers
az New-fork- and another was HofTecker. OF
Delaware successor Of his dead father. There
was also Judge William Richardson Joe"
Nheeiers successor, who was under sentence 10
be hanged as a spy nearly forty years ago when
he was only seventeen years OF age, but was
luckily proved innocent az the last moment
Josiah L. Kerr, representing the Eastern Shore
oi Mary land; Allan l. McDermott OF Jersey
city. and Joseph J. GIN. Of Steubenville. Ohio
completed the group.
BAILEY RAISES AN OBJECTION.
The ninth man was Delivers successor. Judge
Connor, who had 10 stand aside on the point
raised by Joe Bailey. reluctantly" be said
that Doliiver hssgng resigned 10 take snect
Dscenlher 4 m .-ac.rc.. 1919 =. - -.