The Press., 1902-03-06

week In Washington was the Joint memo
rial session OF congress at which Secre-
tary Hay delivered the eulogy OF the late
President Mckinley. The presence on
the floor of the house of representatives
of the president and his cabinet, the dip
lomatic corps, the justices OF the SUI
preme court and the members OF both
houses Of congress gathered to do homage
to the late president, was in itself bril-
liant and edifying sight, and the spacious
galleries filled with ladies. the wives and
families of the members of congress, pre-
sented beautiful background to the more
sombre assemblage below. Quite apart
from the presence of the brother OF the
emperor Of Germany, the scene was one
that will never be forgotten by those who
had the opportunity OF Witnessing 1t.
The flags on the capitol were at half
mast, and the playing Of the hymns,
"Nearer my God to Thee" and LEAD,
kindly light" by the Marine band which
was stationed in the back lobby, while
the guests were taking their places, gave
to the event an appropriate atmosphere
and prepared the audience for the solemn
and beautiful eulogy which 1t had gath
cred to hear. Among the early arrivals
was Prince Henry of Prussia. He came
up the main aisle unattended, and arriving
at the front Of the seats he gave the mill
tary salute to President pro tenn Frye and
Speaker Henderson who were on the
rostrum. He then turned and stood at
attention" at the head of the aisle, in a
position suggestive of a bridegroom
awaiting the arrival of the bridal party.
For fully ten minutes he 80 stood without
moving muscle. AS Mr.. Roosevelt,
followed by his cabinet, arrived at the
head of the aisle the prince again saluted
and then bowed low, taking the seat
assigned to him at the right of the presi-
dent.
The suite which accompanied the prince
took seats with the diplomatic corps and
Immediately behind the justices OF the
supreme court. 1t was my good fortune
to be In a position where could closely
observe the president and the prince, and
the nervous energy of the former was In
marked contrast to the military etiquette
of the latter. Although the exercises
lasted from twenty minutes after eleven
to half-past one, the prince, except for his
standing for the invocation and benedic-
tion, sat bolt upright, his knees together
and his toes turned out and never appeared
to change position or even rest himself
by the movement of hand or foot. The
president showed evident signs Of rest
lessness. At first he lounged in his chair,
and as the time heightened he continually
shifted his position With nervoas, quick
movements.
Space will not permit review Of Secre-
tary Hays Grafton, beyond the statement
that it was q most finished specimen OF
English composition, at times beautiful
in thought and metaphor, replete with
praise of his former chief. While well
learned, 1t lacked the spontaneity and
magnetism Of more extemporaneous ad-
dress, and, while the secretary's voice lie
pleasant, the fact that he spoke In a re-
markably even tone rendered the address
slightly monotonous. Generous applause
greeted Its conclusion.
After the exercises at the capitol the
prince visited Mount Vernon, and 1t is
characteristic of the simplicity of the
royal visitor that when asked to plant 9
tree near Washington's tomb, he was not
content with the formal throwing in of q
spadeful Of earth, customary on such
occasions, but threw in a number anc
then stepped into the excavation anG
tramped them down explaining, II want
to pack the earth well about the roots sc
that 1t will grow" On Friday morning
it poured rain In Washington, and some
one expressed regret that the weather
would mar the trip to Annapolis. ''But
it Is excellent for my little linden tree
which planted at Mount Vernon" re.
piled Prince Henry.
A member of the princes suite re-
marked Friday evening that, of all thu
events of the week, those which had giver
the prince the most pleasure were the
dinner en- fansiIs at the White House
when but eleven people were present, ane
the horse back ride when the presiden
and the prince, attended only by al
orderly, rode fifteen miles through tn,
suburbs and country about Washington
much Of the time in pouring rain, which
thoroughly drenched them.
The week In the national Legislature
was ushered in by decision of Presiden
pro tenn Frye, of the senate, to the eftec
that because the senators from Soutl
Carolina had engaged in personal en-
counter on the floor Of the senate chamber
and had subsequently been declared iii
contempt" by the senate, their name,
should be stricken from the rolls pending
the decision Of the committee on privi
leges and rules, to which the question O
their conduct had been referred. Thu
minority protested that the action Of tn,
chair was virtual acknowledgements o
the state of South Carolina. Senatol
Frye later restored the names to the rolls
and on Friday the committee reported
censuring the senators and relieving then
from the charge Of contempt, but no bust
ness was transacted by the senate betweel
Monday and Friday. On the latter day
the consideration Of the Hansbornugl
irrigation bill was begun. that being nov
the regular order" The conference re
port on the census bill was received ant
approved on the same day. Saturda.
was devoted to the irrigation bin and SOM
private claims bills.
The house Of representatives has passe,
the sensular and diplomatic appropriation
bill, accepted the census bill, which nov
l no n r1fsoa nnlv fho ca0nof,,rn g<1P %hn v,.ool