Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-12-13
WORK OF CONGRESS


inspiring scenes attended the opening
session nj congress yesterday. The re-
cent death OF Senator Davis Of Min
nesota subdued the proceedings, and Ia
q measure the opening exercises In
both houses were OF e memorial char
acter, with tibutes TO the dead who
had passed away since the last session
and an Invocation upon the living 10
lace the new issues and responsible
ties Of IN dawning twentieth century
n a spirit Of courage and justice. Huge
banks OF flowers converted the floors
Of the senate and house into conserya-
tories, while wreaths lay upon the
desks of those who have answered
their last roll call. The attendance In
both branches Of the capitol was larger
than usual on opening days. Touching
reference was made by the chaplain OF
the senate 10 the late Senator Davis
and likewise the late Senator Gear
IF Iowa, in his opening prayer The
extended and loyal service Of the Min
nesota senator was the theme for a
beautiful tribute TO which there was q
general chorus CT "Amens." But WHEEL
the asst word Of prayer was spoken
the senate Immediately settled itself
5own TO business. After roll call e
tor Proctor sent TO the desk the GER
tihcate OF election from the governor
Of Vermont which makes William Paul
Dillingham; the successor to the late
Senator Morrill,. Senator-elect Dilling-
ham was escorted to the clerks desk
by his colleague. where he took the
oath of office. The senate hen ad-
journed for thirty minutes 10 allow o
committee TO inform the president that
congress was In session and would re-
ceive any message from the executive.
II took Mr.. Bennett, the secretary OF
the senate. one hour and ffty-four
minutes TO read the message.
Mr.. Allison then announced the death
In July last of his colleague. Senator
John Henry Gear, and offered the
usual resolution of rorrow, which was
adopted. Mr.. Nelson of Minnesota.
who had returned only two hours be-
fore from st. Paul, announced formal
iy the death OF Senator Davis. saying
that in his death the nation has lost
one of its wisest public servant and
the State Of Minnesota one Of its mosi
distinguished sons"
The senate then upon motion Of Mr..
Allison. as an additional mark Of re-
spect for the memories Of Senators
Gear and Davis. adjourned.
House Proceedings.
The opening Of the session in the
house was brilliant, but not exciting.
There were the usual throngs in the
galleries and the usual display Of floral
pieces on the floor. but the proceedings
were purely formal. consisting of the
rapping to order by the speaker.
pray er by the chaplain, the RON call OF
members, the appointment OF the
formal committees TO wait upon the
president and the reception and read
Ing Of the presidents message. The
Deaths Of the late Representatives DAILY
Of New Jersey and Moeffecker Of Della
ware, and Senators Davis of Minneso-
Ia and Gear of Iowa were announced,
and as a further mark Of respect TO
their memories the house adjourned.
In the Senate.
Washington. Dec. Z. - The program
of the serate leaders for a business
session was taken UP in earnest yester-
day and material progress was made
What Is popularity known as the shir
subsidy ell was made the unfinished
business OF the senate instead OF the
Spooner Philippine measure. and the
discussion of it was opened by Mr.
Frye of Maine. chairman of the com
mittee on commerce. from which thu
measure was reported. He addressed
the senate for more than an hour ano
a half. Recognized by his colleagues
as an authority upon the subject. he
was accorded close attention. He had
not concluded when the senate ad
journed.
The great crowds of the day before
were absent and business on the floor
proceeded exactly as If II was mid.
session. As oon as the session opened
the credentials of Standardized Dol.
licer OF Iowa were presented and he
was seated. Bills on the calenda,
were passed as follows:
To authorize the use OF deposition.
before nav al courts in certain cas- es
with an amendment restricting it's ope-
ration to deposits taken at the In
stances of the accused: TO authorize
Capt N. NJ. Brooks. superintendent O,
foreign malls, TO accept the decoration
OF Red Eagle OF the third class from
the empero OF Germany; to authorize
Hon J. ID. Meiklejohn to accept the
decoration Of ChevaIier Of the first
class from the government OF Sweaer
and Norway: 70 the holdinf
of an interstate and West Indian ex.
position at Charleston, S. c.. in 1901
The measure ~appropriates $3.50, 900 and
admits exhibits free of duty. The req.
olution offered by Mr.. Chandler on Ma,
rs last TO refer the credentials of WIN.
lam A. Clark and Martin Maginnis
appointed senators from Montana, Il
the committee on privileges and cleo.
tions was called up by Mr.. Carter OF
MontE Ia, but went over until to-day.
I'm the House.
The session of the house was brief
The real work viii begin to-day, wher
the house win consider the army re.
organization bin, which Mr.. Hull
chairman Of the committee on mill,
tary affairs, reported yesterday. III;
explained the urgent necessity for inn.
mediate action upon his measure. q.
under the present law the army mus
1 he reduced to 27 600 ON TuIv 49,.