The Washington times., 1901-12-01

S. S. Cox, and Asa Gray, the bOtanist.
The eulogium of Hannibal Hamlin, be
cause of his unavoidable absence, was
read by the Vice President.
One OF the most impressive funeral
ceremonies which have taken place at the
Capitol was that in honor of Chief Justice
Waite, in the Hall OF Representatives,
March 2S 1885 At 12 o'clock the casket
was borne through the east doors into the
Rotunda. where it was placed upon two
stools awaiting the formation OF the pro-
cession to the House. President Cleve-
land and his Cabinet, the Lieutenant Gen
eral of the Army, Admiral Porter
diplomats. and others distinguished in
law. legislation. letters, and war, filled the
hall in tribute to the departed. Mr.. In
gals President pro TEN. of the Senate,
sat upon the Speakers right. The Con-
zressional committee wore white sashes,
with Grape rosettes. The casket was
borne by messengers of the court.
The first occasion that the House met in
it's present chamber IS thus described by
3 s. Cox: The 18th of December" he
writes, is memorable in the annals of
Congress. Looking back to that day, the
writer can see the members of the House
Of Representatives take up the line OF
march out Of the old shaJowy and mur
uIurous chamber into the new hail, with
its ornate and gilded interior. The scene
is intense in a rare dramatic quality.
Above shine in vari-colored lights, the
escutcheons Of thirty States, around sit
the members upon richly carved uaken
hairs Already arrayed upon either side
are the sections in mutual animosity.
The Republicans take the lei, OF the
| Speaker, the Democrats the right. James
L. Orr, Of South Carolina, full, roseate-
faced gentleman Of large build and ring
ing metallic voice. is in the chair. James
c. Allen, OF Illinois. sits below him IN the
clerks desk. The Rev. Mr.. Carothers Of
fers an appropriate and inspiring prayer.
lie asks the divine favor upon those in
authority; and then, with trembling tones
he implores that the hall just dedicated
as the place wherein the political and
constitutional rights Of our countryIGen
shall ever be maintained and defended
may be a temple CT honor and glory 20
this land May the deliberations therein
make our nation the praise OF the whole
earth, for Christ's sake. solemn hush
succeeds this Invocation. The routine of
journal reading; a reference TO the Az
ricGlturai College bill upon the request
Of the then member (now Senator) from
Vermont, Justin $. Morrill, and the pre-
sentation Of a communication regarding
the chaplaincy from the clergy Of wash
ington. are followed by the drawing of
seats for the members. who retire to the
open space in the hall. A page with ban
daged eyes makes the award. and one by
one the members are seated Then, by
the courtesy Of the chairman OF the
Printing Committee Mr.. Smith of Tennes-
see, a young member from Ohio is al
lowed to take the floor.
He addresses the Speaker with timidity
and modesty. amid many Interruptions by
Humphrey Marshall. of Kentucky; Nj
| Boeock. Of Virginia; Judge Hughes, Of
| Indiana: George ". Jones OF Tennessee,
and General Whitman. Of Mississippi
each Of whcm bristles with points OF order
against the points of the orator But
that young member is soon observed by
a quiet House. Many listen 10 him-per-
! haps to judge of the acoustic properties of
! the hall. some because Of the nature of
the debate: and then, after a few min
/ utes. all become excited Again and
| again the shrill and high tones of Mr..
/ Speaker Orr are heard above the uproar.
1 He exclaims: This is a motion TO print
extra copies of the Presidents message.
! Debate on the subject of the message is,
| therefore. in order-upon which the gen
/ tleman from Ohio has the hoor,' That
I gentleman is now the writer His theme
was the Lecompton Constitution As
/ the questions discussed involved the great
/ issues leading to war or peace. his inter-
I est in the mise-en- scene became less; but
+ his maiden speech-the maiden speech
I in the new chamber-began under infiu-
, ences anything but composing"