Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-12-13
WORK OF CONGRESS.
IN tho SENATE,

Washington. Dec impressive and
inspiring scenes attended the opening
session e co1 Hst ,y y:s The re-
nesota subdued the proceedings, and in
a MEASURED the opening exefeisessg In:
both houses were of a memorial char.
acter, with t1butes to the dead who
had passed away since the last session
face the new issues and responsible
ties of the dawning twentieth century
in spirit of courage and justice, Huge
banks Of flowers converted the floors
of the senate and house into conserva-
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 chaplaim Of
the senate to the late Senator Davis
and likewise the late Senator Gear
Of Iowa, in his opening prayer. Tbs
extended and loyal. service of the. Min
nesota senator was the theme for a
beautiful tribute to which there. was a
general chorus of ''Amens." But When
the last word of prayer. was spoken
the senate Immediately settled itself
down to business. After roll call Sena-
tor Proctor sent to the desk the" GER.
tlficate of election from the governor
of Vermont which, makes William Paul.
Dillingham; the successor to the. late
Senator Morrill,. Senator-e elect Dilling-
ham was escorted to the clerks desk
by his colleague, where he took the
oath of Office. The senate then adj
journed for thirty minutes to allow
committee to inform the president that
congress was in session and would re-
ceive any message from the executive.
1t took Mr.. Bennett, the secretary of
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 sorrow, which was
adopted. Mr.. Nelson of Minnesota,
who had returned only two hours be-
fore from st. Paul, announced formal
ly the death Of Senator Davis, saying
that in his death "the nation has lost
one Of its wisest public servants and
the State Of Minnesota one of it's most
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 We're the usual throngs in the
galleries and the usual display of floral
pieces on the floor, but the proceedings
We're purely formal, consisting of the
rapptng to order by the speaker,
prayer by the chaplain, the roll 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 We're announced,
and as further mark Of respect to
their memories the house adjourned.
In the Senate.
Washington, Dec. S. - 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 ship
subsidy bill was made thea 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 the
measure was reported. He addressed
the senate for more than an hour and
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 it was mid
session. AS soon as the session opened
the credentials of Senator Dol
licer of Iowa were presented and he
was seated. Bills on the calendar
were passed as follows:
To authorize the use, Of dispositions
before hawaii courts In certain cases,
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 of
foreign mails, to accept the decoration
!, Of Red Eagle of the third class from
ithe. emperor of Germany; to authorize
Hnn.a J. D.; Meiklejohn to accept the
decoration of Chevalier of the first
class from the government of Sweden
and Norway; to encourage the holding
Of an interstate and West Indian ex-
position at Charleston, S: c.. in 1901.
The measire appropriates- $250.o0o and
admits exhibits free Of duty. The res
olution offered by Mr.. Chandler on May
25 last to refer the credentials Of Will
lam A. Clark and Martin Maginnis,
appointed senators from Montana, to
the committee on privileges and cleo
tions was called up by Mr.. Carter Of
Montana but went over until to-daN