The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-27

nlarred so many state occasions today
was avoided, as the ticket5 issued were
limited strictly to the number of seats
provided. Only one was given to each
senator and representative, and the
gathering in the galleries was most
distinguished one. The fact that few of
cially noticeable. They had attired
themselves in dark costumes beftting
the occasion, and their white faces were
rendered distinct by the sombreness of
their apparel.
Gradually the members of the house
strolled in and took their places. The
big, cumbrous revolving chairs at the
desks had been removed and smaller
ones substituted in order to increase the
seating capacity on the floor. In the
area in front of the speakers roStrum
heavy leather upholstered fauteuils had
been placed for the accommodation Of
the president, Prince Henry, the cab
met, the general of the army and JUS
tees of the supreme court. The first
two rows on the Democratic side were
reserved for the diplomatic corps, and
the four rows Immediately behind them
for the members of the senate. The
governors of the states commissioners
of the District of Columbia, the judi
ciary of the district the heads of de-
partments and other invited guests
We're to sit back of the senators.
MUSIC. BEGINS.
At 11:40, as the strains of the inter-
mezzO from CaValeria Rusticana floated
through the hail. there was a stir
throughout the chamber. The doors to
the right of the speakers rostrum were
flung wide and the members of the
diplomatic corps marched in preceded
by the Sergeant-at-armS of the house.
The foreign ambassadors and ministers
did not appear in their court costumes,
but in sombre frock ats befitting the
occasion. with the exception of the Chi
neSe minister who was attired in his
rich costume of silk.
Lord Pauncefote the British ambas-
SadOr who is the dean of the corps,
headed the procession. With him were
the ambassadors of the other powers,
M. Cambon of France, Count Cassini of
Russia, Signor Mayor Desplanches of
Italy and Senior Aspiroz of Mexico.
Then for a time no special incident
leries We're afforded an opportunity to
examine the occupants of the specially
reserved galleries.
Just beyond the bronze rail that sep
arated the diplomatic from the execu-
tive gallery We're the families of the
members of the supreme court and of
the cabinet and the invited guests of
the president. There also were a num-
Der of the personal friends of Secretary
Hay, the orator of the day.
In the surrounding galleries we're
many of the personal friends of the Ia te
president. among them Col Myron T.
Herrick, of Cleveland; W. A Lynch, Of
Canton; ex-Secretary of State. VIM r.
Day and Col Webb Hayes, of Cleve-
ldHu 00S6 are Only d rev OF I0OS0
from all quarters of the union who came
TO attend the memorial exercises. But
no member of the immediate family of
the late president, SO far as known, was
in attendance.
On the floor were many former mem
bers of the house. senate and the gov
ernors of the several states.
CALLED TO ORDER
As the hands of the gold clock op-
posite the speakers rostrum pointed to
noon Speaker Henderson called the as
Semblage to order. He was dressed in
a black frock coat. the sombreness of
which was relieved by a flower in the
lapel The vast audience instantly re-
sponded to his signal and arose to listen
to the brief prayer of the chaplain.
Then followed the usual routine of the
opening of a session of the house The
journal of Wednesdays proceedings
was read by the clerk in the customary
drOning fashion. BY the speakers di-
Continued on Sixth Page)