The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-12-04

In the Senate galleries was Il kaleido-
SCOPE crowd of people, gay in crimson and
gold, blue, black, green and other rainbow
colors Mrs. Roosevelt and Miss Alice Oc-
cupied the Executive Gallery for time,
interested spectators of the pretty scene.
Later they sat i'll the House gallery. Ihc
death of Senator Mcmillan was announced
by Senator Burrows of Michigan, and the
Senate adjourned out of respect to his
memcry.
The various members of the House met
for the most part, for the first time since
election. A few who We're defeated. met
with good deal of raillery. and those who
were reelected had to shake hands with
everybody so that the big bright hall was
the scene of much sociability. The most
popular man. apparently, was. MIR. Can
non. of Illinois. He was spick and span in
a Prince Albert with n fresh hair cut and
wore Il great pink carnation. He chewed
nervously al a cigar which the rules of
the House would not permit him to light,
aud received congratulations on all hands.
Mr.. Mercer. of Nebraska. was there, and
just as happy to all appearances as though
he had been reelected. He would be hap
pier. doubtless. il he was as sure of being
chief clerk as Mr.. Cannon is of the Speak
ership.
Mr. Payne and Mr. Sherman of New
York. Mr. Dalzell of Pennsylvania. Gen.
GrosvcnOr of Ohio. Mr.. Littlefield of
Maine. all tentatively, candidates for the
Speakership. circulated freely about the
hall of the House chatting with friends.
On the Democratic side there was more
or less appearance of gloom. There were
few flowers, and the Democratic members
seemed to prefer lurking in the cloak
rooms: AS the hour approached II,
Mr. Richardson. of Tennessee. the ac-
knowledged leader, slim and trim in his
long-tailed black coat. came briskly down
the aisle to his seat. looking more like an
exclamation point than ever. Then hand
some Mr. John Wesley Gaines, came
sauntering in, shaking hands here and
there. He was followed by Mr.. Lanham
of Texas, Mr.. UnderwOor of Alabama. Mr..
Jackson of Kansas. who didn't carry
county in his district. Mr.. Mcclellan of
New York, looking more like his father
than ever, and a dozen others.
Just before the gayeI fell the members
poured out of the smoking rooms and
nearly every seat was filed when Speaker
Henderson appeared and in the midst of
Il round of applause mounted the. marble
steps, and took UP the gavel to call to
order the last session of his last term in
Congress. There We're many who thought
the Speaker looked tired and worn. The
gavel fell, and in low tones the Speaker
called upon the blind Chaplain, Rev. Mr..
CoudOn, to invoke the Divine blessing.
Scarcely had his eloquent words died away
when Babel broke loose. and there seemed
to be a rivalry between the floor and the
galleries as to who could make the most
noise. In the midst of this racket, the
roll call of the House proceeded.
The designations of Judge Ray of New
York, and Mr.. Hall of Pennsylvania. were
received and the following members elected
to fill vacancies, were sworn in: Augustus
B. Gardner. sixth Massachusetts,, vice
Secretary Moody, resigned; Alexander
Billmyer. 18th PENNSYLVANIA. vice Rufus
X. Polk, deceased; Frank B. Brandegee,
third Connecticut. vice Charles A. Rus
sell. deceased; John W. Dwight, Goth New
York. vice George w. Ray. resigned; De-
s saImons deceased s Carter terse Glass; ssse
sixth Virginia, vice Peter ]. Otey. de-
ceased; Morris Sheppard. fourth Texas,