Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-02
IN THE HOUSE.

NJ the a7th Congress in the House was
as usual. a spectacular event. The gal
leries of the freshly decorated hal
were packed TO the doors with people
prominent in society and politics. and
the flower show on the floor, although
not as elaborate as usual, filled the
chamber with perfume and added grace
and beauty TO the scene. The men,
bers were good natured and jovial and
there was no outcropping of partisan
feeling.
Speaker Henderson received a cor
dial reception as he assumed the gavel
but beyond this there was no demon
stration. The proceedings were purely
perfunctory. A prayer, the calling OF
the roll, the swearing in of new MEN,
bers elected to fill vacancies created
by death or resignation during the re-
cess, the adoption of the customary
resolutions to appoint a committee to
wait upon the President to inform the
Senate that the House was ready to
transact business and to fix the daily
hour of meeting, summarizes what was
done.
Then the death of the late Repre-
sentative Charles A. Russell of Con-
ueCtICut, Which, oN'ui leu III 49, -
fall, was announced by his successor.
Mr.. Brandeges. The usual resolution
Of regret WAS adopted and the House
as a further mark of respect adjourned
until tomorrow, when the President s
message will be received. The session
lasted less than an hour.
Washington, Dec. 1.-The Hall of
brill nj
scene for the opening of the session.
today. During the recess the chamber
had been redecorated throughout. The
old color scheme of gold and carmne
was preserved, but the fresh colors
served to tighten the general effect.
The famous paintings of Bierstadt.
THE Discovery of the Hudson and
the Landing of the Verbain Expedi-
ton at Monterey, California, in 1901,
which formerly hung in panels in
either side of the Speakers rostrum
have been removed to the lobby in the
rear of the hall. and in their places now
hang the full length portraits of Wash
ington and Lafayette.
The public galleries We're packed
soon after they We're thrown open, and.
at 10 o'clock, the sections reserved for
the families and friends of members
We're also filed. The flower display
was perhaps less elaborate than upon
similar occasions in the past. 1t was
noticeable that the victorious party in
the recent campaign did not monopolZe
the entire flower show.
Shortly after II o'clock. the men,
bers began arriving. the greetings APP
peared equally cordial whether they
were between political friends or enc
mics The Democrats who are return
ing after their fifth successive defeat
took The raillery of the Republicans
good naturedly.
At Has. the dOorkeeper directed his
assistants to clear the floor of all per-
CONS not entitled to remain. Meantime
members We're returning from the lob
bies and there was much confusion.
The leaders on both sides We're sur
rounded and greeted as they found
their way to their desks, but there We're
no demonstrations. Mr.. Cannon, ILL.,.
whose election as Speaker of the next
House is already assured, was beseiged
by his colleagues with congratulations
and could with difficulty force way
to his desk. Payne, n. Y, the floor
leader of the majority. DalZell Penn.
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 a re-
ception under the marble steps of the
rostrum until the hands of the clock
met Then. at exactly noon. he ascend
ed to his place. A great outburst of
applause greeted him as he faced the
House and galleries. With several Wig
orous whacks of the gavel the Speaker
stilled the demonstration in his honor.
In the hush that followed the blind
chaplain. Rev. Couden. offered prayer.
fervently invoking the divine blessing
upon the President. the government,
the members of Congress and the work
of the session. When he had concluded
the Speaker directed the clerk to call
the roll. Immediately a babel of voices
broke out afresh and in the volume of
sound that filled the hall, the calls of
the clerk could hardly be distinguished.
So great was the confusion that the
Speaker was obliged to admOnish both
galleries 10 preserve order. The roll
call then proceeded.
When the roll call was finished the
Speaker announced a quorum present.
the designations of Representatives
Ray of New York. and Hall of Pennsyl-
vania. were laid before the House.
The following members elected dur
ing the recess to fill vacancies created
by death or resignation, then appeared
before the bar of the House and took
the cath of office:
Augustus b. Gardner. 9th Mass, vice
Secretary Moody Uesigned: Alexander
Hill Myer. 18th Penn, vice Rufus X.
Polk. deceased: Frank +. Brandegee
3rd Conn.,. vice Charles A. Russell. de-
ceased: John w. Dwight. 26th n. ",
vice George w. Ray, resigned: Dewitt
c. Flanagan. 4th n. j.. vice J. s. Sal
mon. deceased; Carter Glass. 9th Va.
vice Peter J. Otey. deceased: Morris
Sheppard. deceased: James j. Butler
18th Mo-. vice himself. he having beer
unseated at the last session.