The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-12-12
Special Dispatch to the Intellirencer.

4
Special Dispatch to the Intelligencer.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1l.-spectators
in the gallery OF the house OF represen-
tatives on December ~ will look down
upon the largest md most complete as
semblage OF illustrious men ever gather.
ed together In one sheltered space since
history began. The occasion will be
the Impressive ceremonies celebrating
the Tooth anniversary OF the removal of
the nations seat Of government.
President Mckinley will be given the
honor seat on the floor OF this vast hall.
in the great throng the eye OF the spec
,ator will fall upon Vice Presidcnt-elect
Roosevelt, the cx-vice presidents. the
members OF the Presidents cabinet, the
chief Justices and justices Of the SUI
premc court Of the United states, the
senator's and representatives. Admiral
Dewey, the hero OF Manila Bay: Lieu
tenant General Miles, In command OF
the army: Secretary Langley. OF the
Smithsonian Institute; the governors
of the states and territories OF the
Union, the commissioners of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, and various men who
have received Il vote Of thanks from
Congress.
The capitol sheltcring the distinguish
cd congregation will be n vastly more
Pretentious structure than that in
which, much to their disgust. the men-
bers OF the First Congress assembled in
Washington met on November II, 1900.
On that date. q century ago, the COR
ner stone Of the capitol had been laid
for seven years. General George WASH
ing,on had performed the ceremonies
on September IS. 1893. A grand Ma
sonic. military and civic procession
took part In the ceremonies. the Masons
being represented by the Grand Lodge
OF Maryland and Lodge No. %, Of Alex
andria. Va The Father of His Coun-
try delivered an grafton. after which
the assemblase retired to an extensive
booth, where they enjoyed barbecue
least"
First Permanent Hall.
The first permanent hall OF represent
tativcs was occupied October 20. 1907
It was In the old south wing on the site
of the present statuary hall. where the
secrets of the whispering gallery" are
revealed to visitors. It was IN elllpti-
cal room. entered upon at the prlncIno'
door. Benjamin Latrobe, an English
architect. given the contract to build the
south wing, designed this hall to re-
semble an ancient Greek theatre. After
the removal OF the house to these quar-
tiers Its Temporary quarters in the north
wing were converted Into the first Con-
gresslonal Library.
All Senate Sessions Secret.
During these first years of Congress
In Washington the senate sat with
closed doors and admitted no spccta-
tors to Its galleries. The senators
transacted business in n purely informal
manner. The house Of representatives
always held open sessions. Its trans
actions were formal. Continental dress
was In vogue In both houses. The wigs
OF members wero carefully curled and
powdered every day. Hats we're worn
by representatives during sessions even
until 1928. Ladies' were excluded from
the galleries for some years.
The first supreme court session held
In the capitol began February 2. 1901.
In one Of the senate committee rooms,
on the west side OF the north wing
basement floor.
Larger Capitol Commenced.
A larger capitol became necessary
In the middle of the century. It was
thereupon decided to add greater wings
to those already built. Thomas V. Wal
ter, who had built Girard College, Phil
adelphla. was appointed architect. On
Independence Day. 1851. President Fill
more laid the corner stone Of the eX-
tension and Daniel Webster delivered
an eloquent grafton. The material for
the walls OF the new wings was white
marble. slightly varlegated with blue.
It was auarrled at Lee. Mass. The COL
utnns adornirs the wings were cut