The Washington times., 1901-12-03
THE HOUSE
In SESSION.
Henderson Again Assumes
the GaVel.
TEE BLIND CHAPLAIN'S PRAYER.
Invokes Divine Guidance and Re-
fers to the Death of President Nc
Kinley-U Unusual Courtesy Ex-
tended in the Allotment Of Seats.

Promptly as the hands OF the big gildod
| clock Indicated the hour CT noon yester-
day. Clerk Alexander Mcdowell mounted
the rostrum and let fall the gavel which
called to order the House OF Representa-
tives.
For two hours preceding this event the
floor OF the House had been the scene OF
a moving mass of humanity Members he
gan to arrive early. and they hrough-
their friends with them, and the bail was
/ thronged with people. Mutual greetings
! we're exchanged, and all indicated cheer
/ fulness and desire to begin again the task
| OF lawmalSlng. New members we've intro
! duced to the old war horses, and eagerly
listened to their advice and counsel. 1t
was a happy gathering preceding the
party strife and turmoil which will fol-
low Republicans and Democrats mingled
freely together, shook hands and ex-
changed pleasantries.
The Galleries Crowded.
The crowds came early. too, and
thronged the Iobbies and corridors. Ad-
N ssion to the galleries was BY card of
members only. but long before the open
ing hour every seat was taken. with the
exception of those in the Presidents pri-
va,s gallery and few chai in the dip
lomatie gallery. A majority Il the spec
ia tors, who looked with interest upon the
seething. surgins throng below. were
ladies, and their bright attire presented a
striking contrast TO the almost unbToken
sombre dress of the national legislators.
The Presidents gallery was occupied
only by four ladies' aud three of the
White House children IRE youngsters
manifested a keen interest in the pro-
ceedings for a time, then grew weary of
sitting still and moved uneasily in their
seats. They withdrew long before the ad
journment of the House.
Many Bills on the Desk.
The clerks desk was piled high with
papers and documents. a majority of them
being bills and resolutions which mem
bers had prepared TO introduce as soon as
the opportunity presented itself.
The hum of conversation continued un-
abated until Clerk Mcdowell, five min
utes before the hour of opening, called
out in stentorian tones:
"All persons not privileged to the floor
{ are commanded to retire
| Then there was a scattering in the
aisles and the space before the Speakers
+ desk. and the members were left to them
selves. Nest of the old Representatives
found the seats which they had occupied
in the last Congress and appropriated
them for the time being, and the new
members retired to any vacant seats they
could find.
Blind Chaplain Sent In.
As soon as the gayel fell silence reigned
in the hall. and the blind chaplain was
/ led in to offer prayer. As he began the
/ assemblage arose and the members stood
with heads reverently bowed while the
! blessing of the Almighty was invoked
The chaplain gave thanks for the wis
dom Of God which had brought the Repub-
/ lie through the vicissitudes of the past to
the present hour of triumph and for the
| bright promises of the future. He in
vOked divine guidance for the legislators,
that they might distinguish between lib
erty and license order and chaos, govern
ment and anarchy; prayed God to uphold
the Speaker that he might preside with
wisdom and strength over the delibera-
tions, and pleaded with MIN to protect
the life of the President of the United