The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-04

hands of the clock pointed to noon. The
ponderous but impressive routine of m
t!onal legislation. which Will be aceeier-
ated Ia the coming months on account OF
the time limitation. was inaugurated be-
fore the customary throng OF admiring
spectators. whose steps were turned 20
ward the Capitol early and whose partieu-
lar Mecca was comfortable coign OF
vantage in the espaeious galleries.
Unruffied by hardly an incident that
could not have been anticipated. save the
standing aside OF a member-elect from
Iowa In the House, the strict fOrmalitiea
0f the opening day were carried out 20 the
letter. The tried and veteran leaders were
in their seats. and in buSiness.like fash
ion proceeded 20 the prelimlnaries. TIE
customary notification OF the President
and the receipt Of his annual message IN
writing formed the bulk OF the days
work. and now. without further ado. Sen
ate and House will proceed 10 the serious
tasks OF the session. In the midst OF The
general pleasure there vas a note OF sor-
row in the announcement Of deaths during
the summer recess. and following the
reading OF the message both Houses ad-
journed ont Of respect 20 the deceased.
The Hall OF Representatives took on the
show. Those popular autumn blossoms
predominated TO an extent never before
observed In the floral decorations, and
l0omed up In front OF many a 0eaming
member who had come back to Washing
Ton with an enormous majority, or some
other equally good thing. 10 be thankful
for They were OF every hue and Ge-
scriptiOn kown to scientific cultivation,
and were literally sprinkled with large
and fragrant roses Naturally, with the
fortune OF the recent election, the big
pOsies predominated on the Republican
side OF the chamber, and particularly In
the vicinity OF the bulky form ~ Chair
man BabcOck. who led the copquering le-
gions 10 TWO years more OF power. In
fact, the towering heads Of golden ehrys-
anthemums were so numerous On all the
adjoining desks. where many prominent
Republicans sit. that the nimble figure Of
Uncle Joe" Cannon. the white top Of
Floor Leader Serene Payne. and the other
cheerful faces seemed more like incl
dents 70 the magnificent display.
Round and round in the space before the
Speakers desk, threading up the long
alsiss, circling behind the brass railing
and swirling again DOWN the center aisle,
The throng of sOber-garbed men moved Tor
80 AANNA G<AgAt lHC kdNCl 4Ell. Every men
OF the way there were hearty salutations,
talks OF majorities. and gossip OF expe-
Iienees In the late campaign. Numerous
ladies' in bright garments penetrated the
crowded passageways, but gradually sift-
cd themselves into the long corridors and
hastened Up the marble staireases as
coveted tickets TO the galleries were OBJ
tanned.
AT noon the fasces was elevated into
place, the swinging doors TO the east OF
the hall opened. and Speaker Henderson
marched promptly to his chair. There
Was hush Immediately at the sound OF
mis- gavel. and fairly good attendance OF
members stood up for the opening prayer.
The Chaplain's invocation was a fervent
one, containing reference 10 the deaths OF
the late Representative Daily, of New Jer-
sey. and the late Representative W. o.
Honecker, or Delaware. as well as a re-
quest for divine blessing upon the enact
lEents for the rest OF this Congress. There
was not a semblanee OF novelty in the fur
ther proceedings. Instantly the hum OF
voices rose 10 the stained glass ceiling
ana hardly had the Speaker announced
the call Of the roll by States to ascertain
the presence OF a quorum before d re-
sounding thwaok occurred, with the ex-
clamation In stem tones: Business will
De suspended till order Is restored" Then
after moment of quiet: THE Clerk will
proceed" and names were called till IL
had been ascertained that 275 members
were present.
During these preliminary scenes there
were few notable men on the floor who
received fattering attentions. Gov -elec:
Doekery. Of Missouri. pushed through q
multitude Of glad hands, extended IN con-
graduation on the Democratic side. and
eventually crossed 10 the other side, where
he had an equally cordial greeting from
MS old Republican colleagues. Represen-
tative Lorimer. whose placid face showed
contentmenI without be;raying his recent
defeat in Chicago, was warmly received by
scores or men who admired his splendid
struggle. and that without regard 10 par
~ lines. As the monotonOus roll call pro.
Seeded the groups Of eager conversation.
aiists gathered. Mr.. Cannon and Mr. HIT
Two Senatorial possibilities in Illinois. took
adJoinlng seats, and became absorbed IN
thelr own exchanges, features OF which
were the swaying forehnger Of the for.
Iher ana The latteT's goOd-natured laugh
frlVate John Allen, of Mississippi. finally
sauntered out OF the obseurity of the Dem.
-SSAAAf spun anu span dS 4
fashionable New Yorker. red carnatioT
resting on his black lapel, aud received
The friendly greetings of his admirers.
Soon the swearing in of the new mem.
berS was announced by the reading q
lengthy credentials, some Of which. lik,
that OF Mr.. Morrell, OF PENNSYLVANIA
were adorned with long streamers of rib
bon' ana some OF which were exceeding,
~ plain, like that OF Judge Richardson
oi Alabama, typewriter on a plain shee
OF letter paper and bearing the seal ot
The State. The credentials of Represen
tative-elect James =. Connor. OF Iowa
were questioned. and he was requested
10 stand aside but the following wer,
escorted 10 the bar OF the House by III,
dean OF their respective delegations, ex
cept In the case OF Mr.. Hoffecker. o
Delaware. where there is but one mem
Der. who was accompanied by Gen. Bing
ham, the father OF the House. and tool
the oath OF allegiance:
Albert ID. Shaw. who succeeds the lat
Representative chickering. of New York
Allen +. AeDermett, who succeeds III
late Representative DAILY. Of New Jersey
Walter o. Hoffecker. who succeeds hi
ffther. the late Representative Hofeeker
OF Delaware; Edward DE V Morrell. VIII,
F&'Nff~F AAf idtS tktlFcSEntlIlAe HaF
mcr, OF Pennsylvania: William Richard
son, who succeeds Gen. Joe Wheeler o
Alabama; Josiah L. Kerr. who succeed
Gov. Smith. Of Maryland: samuel u
Woods, who succeeds Representative ID
Nries. OF California. and James +. Con
bor. who succeeds Representative Dolli
YER OF Iowa, who was appointed Senate
TO succeed the late Senator Gear.
The House was Informed that the Co.,
ote was In session By a message from
that body. aud that committee had h,el
appointed 20 walt upon the Preside ent
whereupOn Speaker Henderson named .
committee consisting OF Mr.. Payne, o
New York: Gen. Orosvenor, of Ohio. an,
Mr.. Richardson. OF Tennessee. 10 Join In
Senate committee and 90 notify the Pres
ident that Congress was ready TO receiy,
any communication from him. On me
lion Of Afr. Payne the House then took
recess till o'clock.