Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-12-02
OPENING OF CONGRESS;
Brilliant Scenes In the Senate and
House Of Representatives.
ADJOURNMENT SOON TAKEN
~ Senate Out Of Respect to Memory
Of James Mcmillan and BY House
~ Tribute to Late Repre-
sentative Russell.


sion Of the Fifty-seventh congress was
convened at noon. Long before the
gavels fell in the two houses large
crowds thronged about the doors of the
visitors galleries seeking admission.
Early In the forenoon the corridors
gave evidence Of an approachin SEES
6ion. There We're the usual scenes and
Incidents attending the opening of con.
Sress A bright, sunny day brought out
crowd to greet the lawmakers, women
being conspicuous among the visitors.
In the Hobbies Of the house members
were exchanging greetings, while on
the senate side there were similar ex-
changes. Large numbers Of represent.
atives also journeyed to the senate
chamber to shake hands.
AS the hour for opening approa ched
the crowds in the corridors grew larger
and the numbers gathering about the
doors of the galleries increased, but
many were necessarily disappointed, as
the capacity Of the space allotted to
outsiders was claimed early.
TO be seen in the corridors and lob
bies OH both sides We're many public Of
6cials who left the departments to wit
ness the opening. Notable among those
who gathered at the capitol in the
morning were some of the members
elect who will take seats next Deem
Der. or earlier, should an extra session
be called.
Many Out of Town Visitors.
There are many out of town visitors
who helped to swell the numbers at the
capitol and came hoping to get
glimpse of the opening ceremonies.
To those who have seen congress
opened time and again this occasion
differed but little from any previous
opening, but to one who attended for
the first time it was a scene of bril-.
lance and sufficiently dignifed to be
very impressive. With the old time
members it was the beginning Of
seasons work and strictly business
affair.
Former Speaker Thomas B. Reed
was a visitor at the capitol. Prior to
the hour for converting he visited
among the members of the house,
where he once served SO many years,
then among the members Of the SEN
ate. He was greeted on both sides by
friends and former associates.
There was the usual flower display in
the house, although 1t was perhaps not
a. elaborate as upon some similar coca
sions in the past. 1t was noticeable
that the victorious party in the recent
campaign did not monopolize the entire
flower show. BY II o'clock the air
was heavy with the odor of perfumes,
and the hall buzzed with the steady
hum Of conversation from the throngs
In the surrounding galleries. 1t was
generally remarked upon in the gal
leries that the most elaborate floral
pieces were on the desks of Mr.. Con-
nell of Pennsylvania and Mr.. Loud Of
California, two Republicans who were
defeated for reelection.
Representatives Arrive.
At 11:45 the doorkeeper directed his
assistants to clear the floor of all per-
sons not entitled to remain during the
session. Meantime members were en-
tering the floor from the Hobbies, and
there was much confusion. The lead.
ers on both sides were surrounded and
greeted as they found their way to
their desks, but there were no demon
STATIONS. Mr.. Cannon Qll), whose
election az speaker Of the next house
10 already assured, was besieged by
his colleagues with congratulations and
could with difficulty force a way to his
desk. Mr.. Payne IN. ~, the floor
leader of the majority; Mr.. Dalzell
(Pa.), Mr.. Richardson, the minority
leader. and other prominent members
also held impromptu receptions.
Three minutes before the hour of
noon the doors from the rear lobby
swung open and Speaker Henderson
entered. He was Immediately sur
rounded by members and held recep-
ton upon the marble steps Of the ros-
trum until the hands of the clock met
Then. at exactly II o'clock noon. he de-
scended to his place. An outburst OF
applause greeted him as he faced the
house and galleries. With several Wig
orous whacks of the gayel the speaker
Sltleu the ueHlOIlStTtlloii III III" hOAoA'
In the hush that followed. the blind
chaplain. Rev. y DR.. Couden, offered
prayer, fervently invoking divine bless
Ing upon the president, the government
the members Of congress and the work
Of the session. When he had conclud-
Cd, the speaker directed the clerk to
call the roll. Immediately a babel OF
voices broke out afresh, and in the vol
ume of sound that filled the hall the
calls of the clerk could hardly be dis
tinguished. So great was the confu-
sion that the speaker was obliged to
bring the house to order and to admon-
ish both the members and the specta-
tors in the galleries to preserve order
The roll call then proceeded.
New Members sworn I'm.
The following members, elected dur
Ing the recess to flll vacancies created