The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-03
CONGRESS- MEETS
Great Crowds Gather Early to
Witness the Opening.
Many Women and Delegations
of Girl Students
PROMPTLY AT NOON.
Both Houses Called to Order by
Regular Officers.
Everything Indicates a Busy
Time For Lawmakers.
MESSAGE SUBMITTED.
A Number of Bills introduced
In the House
Including Army Bill and One
For ReapportiOnment.
MESSAGE SUBMITTED.
A Number of Bills Introduced
In the House
Including Army Bill and One
For ReappOrtiOnment.

Washington. Dec 3.-The opening of
congress today drew great crowds to the
capitol intent on witnessing those in
teresting scenes marking the inaugura-
tion of the legislative work of the gov
ernment- On June last the first ses-
sion Of the Fifty-sixth congress adjourn
ed and the second session began today
with many momentous questions await
ing the attention OF the national law
makers.
Early in the day the tide Of travel
turned down Pennsylvania avenue
toward the capitol. filling the broad
walks leading to the Marble Terrace,
which by IL O'Clock presented a scene
of busy activity On the eastern plaza
front there was the same scene of activ-
ity, long lines of carriages swinging up
to the wings. bringing senators, mem
bers, public officials and interested OBJ
servers. while the many lines of cars
contributed their quota of the interested
public.
Inside the building but little restric
tion had been placed on the free NOV
ing Of the throng and the crowd moved
at will from one wing to the other. All
OF the public galleries were open SO that
every one in the good natured crowds
had an equal chance.
II o CLOCK lnE ElGNatOIS DGsetA4 u
be besieged and there were signs of an
overflow at the doors leading to the gal
lerieH. It was evident that the ladies'
took great interest in the procedure;
for they were present in full once, 0ne
delegation OF girl students numbering
over 80.
There were conferences among sen
atOTS 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
private Office about HIS and soon was
surrounded by members, discussing the
programme of business. On the senate
side there was less evidence of activity,
and the crowds were rather slow in in
vading the galleries The president pro
TEN. Mr. Frye, was at his Office early,
conferring with senators and by 11-S0
the floor of the senate began to show
signs of the activity preceding actual
business
At noon the two houses of congress
were called to order for the second ses-
sion of the Fifty-sixth congress
SENATE.
Washington, Dec 3.-The credentials
of VIM. r. Dillingham;, as a senator
from Vermont, were presented and the
oath was administered to him. He fills
the uneXpired term OF the late Senator
Morrill,
Senator Gears successor, former Rep
Tesentative Jonathan 2. DOlliver of
Iowa was present but his credentials
nouncement of Senator Gears DEATH
At 1915 p. m the senate took a recess
for half an hour The president pro
tenn, Mr. Frye, appointed Messrs. Cock
ren and Hoar committee to wait on
the president and inform him that the
senate was ready to receive any com
rnunication he desired to make.
At 1885 the senate took a further re-
cess until 1.45 p. m.
The senate reassembled at AS and
few minutes later Major Pruden, one of
the presidents secretaries appeared with
the presidents message Secretary Ben
nett Of the senate at once began the
reading of the document
At S:45 p. m, the senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Washington, Dec. 3-The roll call OF
the house showed that 275 members had
responded to their names. The speaker
announced a quorum present. and that
the house was ready for business The
new members Were then sworn in.
The speaker appointed NIessrs. Payne
of New York. GrosvenOr of Ohio and
Richardson of Tennessee, to join the
committee of the senate to notify the
president that congress is ready to re-
ceive any communication from him. The
house then took a recess until , O'Clock