Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-04
Was the Usual Spectacular Event
of Crowds and Flowers in
Both Chambers.
PRACTICALLY NO BUSINESS
the Senate Only Twelve Minutes
Adjourned Out of Respect to De-
ceased Membsrs-Blind Chap
lain OF Senate Missed.

Washington, Dec. 1.-The opening Of the
9th Congress in the House was as usual
spectacular event. The galleries Of tho
freshly decorated hall We're packed to the
doors with people prominent In society
and politics and the flower show on the
floor, although rot as elaborate as usua j,
allied the chamber with perfume and added
grace and beauty to the scene. The mem
bcrs were good nat,lred and jovial, and
there was no outcroppins of partisan feel
ing. Speaker Henderson received cor
dial reception as he assumed the SaVcl,
but beyond this there were no demunstra-
tons The proceedings were purely per
functorI. A PRAYER, the calling of the
roll. the swearing in of members elected
to fill vacancies created by death or reslg-
nation during the recess the adoption Of
the customary resolutions to appoint 4
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
Representative Charles y. Russell of
Connecticut. which occurred in the early
fall. was announced by his successor. Mr..
Erandcgee, the usual resolutions of regret
was adopted and the House AS a further
mark Of respect adjourned until to-mor-
row, when the Presidents message will
be received. The session lasted less than
an hour.
SESSION OF THE SENATE.
Washington. Dec. 1.-The Senate was in
session twelve minutes to-day, the first
day of the session an adjournment until
to morrow being taken out of respect to
the memory of the late Senator james
Mcmillan, who died during the recess.
Rarely has the historic chamber present
ed such an appearance as it did to-day.
The custom of placing flowers on the
desks OF senators on the opening day of
a session is one which Ions has been fol
lowed, but the display to-day WAS adj
mittedly the most magnificent of any that
heretofore have been seen. Many of the
senator's were early on the floor and We're
kept busy exchanging greetings with old
acquaintance.
The galleries were packed to suffoca ton
and hundreds stood outside the corridors
anxious to gain admission. Among the
interested spectators Were several mem
hers of the diplomatic corps Senior Ques-
ada, the Cuban minister. occupied a con-
spicuous place and exhibited much inter
est in the proceedings
The absence OF the Rev Or. Milburn the
blind chaplain. was particularly noticed.
His place to-day was taken by the Rev.
]. f.. Prettyman of Washington. No bust
ness was transacted, beyond passing the
customary resolutions that the Senate was
the hour of converting the sessions at
y o'clock.
CHAPLAIN MILBURN RETIRES.
Washington, Dec 1.-The Rev. w. H.,
Milburn, the blind chaplain of the Sen
ate, who is now in California, has for
Warded his resignation to President Pro
Tenn. Frye. 1t will be placed before the
Senate tomorrow. His successor will be
elected by the Senate.
Mr.. Milburn in his letter to Senator
Frye says i'll health compels him to re-
tire from the position and he adds:
1T is with deep sorrow that | have
come to this decision, as 1t was my cher
ished wish that, under the favor of tho
Senate, / should conduct its religious
services during the remainder Of my
days"
NEW DECORATIONS IN THE HOUSE.
Washington, Dee. 1.-During the recess
Of Congress. the hall of representa-
tives has been redecol ated through
out. The old color scheme OF gold and
oarmine was preserved but fresh colors
serve to tighten the general effect. The
famous painting of Bierstadt Tho Dis
covery of the Hudson" and The Landing
of the Verbain Expedition al Monterey
Cain lGol," which formerly hung in
panels in either side Of the speakers ros-
trum. have been removed to the lobby
IN tne rear OF the HNll anu IN tnelF places
now hang the long portraits of Washing
ton and Lafayette.
DEMONSTRATION FOR CANNON.
Mr. Cannon of Illinois whose election
.. speaker OF the next House is assured,
was hesieged by his colleagues with CON
gratulations and could with difficulty
force his way to his desk, Three min
utes before the hour OF noon the doors
from the rear lobby swung open and
Speaker Henderson entered. He was i'm
mediately surrounded by members and
held a reception upon the marble steps
of the rostrum until the hands of the
clock met Then at exactly noon he as
seconded 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
stlled the demonstration in his honor
BILL FOR BUREAU OF PUBLIC
ROADS.
Washington, Dee l,-Reprcsentative
Brownlow introduced "A bill to-day to
in the department of asricul-
ture bureau to be known as the bureau
of public roads. with a director at its