The sun., 1900-12-04
GREAT CROWDS
At Opening
Of CONGRESS
Chaplain of the House Referred
Feelingly to Death of Con-
gressman Hofecker.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
1t Was Read in Both the Senate and
the House. Scenes Mark
ing the Inaugural
ting of Legisla-
tive Work.

Washington, Dec. 3.-The opening OF
congress drew great crowds to the CAPT |
fol. intent on witnessing those interest |
ing scenes marking the inauguration OF
the legislative work of the government.
On June last the first session of the
Fifty-sixth congress adjourned, and the
second session began with many mo-
mentous questions awaiting the attention
of the national lawmakers.
Above the middle colonnade, fronting
the dome, the stars and stripes ftoated
lazily, and on either side flags were run
up at noon to indicate that the respective
houses were in session. Early in the
day the tide of travel turned down Penn
sylvania avenue toward the capitol, fill
ing the broad walks leading to the mar
bic terrace which by IL o'clock presented
a scene of busy activity. On the eastern
plaza front there was the same scene OF
activity, long lines of carriages swinging
up to the wings, bringing senators, pub
lie officials and interested observers,
while the many lines of cars contributed
their quota of the interested public.
Inside the building but little restriction
had been placed on the free moving of
the throng, and the crowd moved at will
from one wing to the other, viewing the
the new corridors, formerly occupied by
the Congressional library, and securing
advantageous seats in the galleries from
which to view the coming of the senators
and members All of the public gal
| leries were open, so that every one in
| the good natured crowds had an equal
| chance. BY IL o'clock the elevators be-
| gan to be besieged, and there were signs
| of an overflow at the doors leading to the
| galleries. 1t was evident that the ladies
| took great interest in the procedure, for
| they were present in full force, one dele
| CATION of girl students numbering over
| so.
| The Senate.
| There were conferences among sena-
tors as to the programme for the week,
and for so early in the session unusual
activity was displayed by members on
both sides of the capitol.
Speaker Henderson arrived at his pri-
vate office about Ills and soon was sur
rounded by members discussing the pro-
gramme of business. On the senate side
there was less evidence of activity, and
the crowds were rather slow in invading
the galleries. The president pro TEN,
Mr.. Frye was at his office early confer
ring with senators, and by 1130 the floor
|
activity preceding actual business.
| When the senate convened at the open
ing of the second session of the Fifty
sixth congress, it was within the shadow
of the death of two of its most distin
guished members. Indeed so recent was
the demise of one of these that the seats
, of those senators who constituted the fu
, | neral party Were vacant at the beginning
l of the session.
Aside from the sadness caused by the
passing away of dear friends, personal as
we'll OF official, the opening OF the session
was notably brilliant and in a measure
Joyous.
When the gayel of President Pro Ten
. Frye fell at II o'clock, the scene pre-
sented In the senate chamber was un
| usually brilliant and beautiful.
From the ceiling through the stained
glass the chamber was bathed in a sub
dued but lovely light.
Within the chamber the air was heav.
with the perfume OF scores of magnificen
i floral pieces, and as the suns rays fel
upon the flowers an observer was givel
the impression of scene in a fowe
show. With scarcely an exception th
|. desk of every senator bore floral EN-
:, blem. Some of the pieces were the fines
|
As the gavel sounded hush fell upoi
|, the chamber The buzz of conversation
in the packed galleries ceased, and tn
senators, as one man, rose to their feet
The venerable blind chaplain, hfilburn
invoked the divine blessing upon the ses
VI sion just opened and in beautiful an
j. touching language referred to the deaf
r of Senator Gear and of Senator Davi
o and paid fitting tribute to their long an
y distinguished services to the country.
IT The president pro tem., Mr.. Frye, al
s pointed Messrs. Hoar and Cockrell,
II committee to wait upon the president an
d inform him that the senate was ready
10 receive any communication he desired t
make.
d Since the senate last convened gres
n national campaign had been inaugurate
al and conducted to a conclusion. Ths
IL campaign meant much to all members c
the senate and as they assembled the
exchanged political greetings as well q
the warm hand clasps of persons
friendship. A notable meeting on th
III floor just before the session opened wa
o. that between Mr.. Hanna of Ohio an
le Mr.. Jones Of Arkansas, the chairme
Oh respectively of the Republican and Den
In ocratic national campaign committee
Surrounded by many Of their colleague
they exchanged cordial greetings an
laughed and chatted for several minute
o. The House.
" W Girded by overfowing galleries, bathe
i. in light from the stained glass window
IN overhead, the hall of representatives Dr
vi l