Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-12-02
SESSION IS OPENED
Senate and House Both Convene At High
Noon in Capitol
ONLY PURELY FORMAL BUSINESS IS DONE
Resolutions Rogretting Deaths Are Adopted
aud Adjournment Taken.
MANY FLOWERS COVER MEMBERS DESKS
Brilliant Crowds Throng Galleries Watching
Initial Proceedings,
TODAY PRESIDENTS MESSAGE IS DUE
Many Bills Designed to Restrict
Trusts Are Presented but Adatn-
MANY FLOWERS COVER MEMBERS DESKS
TODAY PRESIDENTS MESSAGE is DUE
Many Bills DESIGNED to Restrict
Trusts Are Presented, but Admin
istrRtion SO Far Reserves All
Criticism on Them.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The second ses.
sion OF the Fifty-seventh congress con-
vened at noon today.
Long before the gaves fell in the two
| houses large crowds thronged about the
doors OF the visitors gallery seeking ad-
mittanoe. A bright sunny day brought out
many women, who were conspicuous among
the visitors.
AS the hour for the opening approached
the crowds gathering about the doors Of
the galleries increased, but many were
necessarily disappointed, as the capacity
OF the space allotted to outsiders was
! claimed early.
! There were many out of town visitors to
be seen in the corridors and lobbies and
| on both sides were many public officials
| who left the departments for the opeu-
ing. Correspondents weer early on the
scene, preparing for the three months
! work ahead of them.
Former Speaker Thomas B. Reed was a
visitor at the capitol today. Prior to the
hours of convening he visited among the
members Of the house, where he once
served so many years, then among the
members of the senate. He was greeted
on both sides by friends and former as
| socstes
Frye Presides in Senate.
Senator Fry opened the session in the
senate and the galleries were filled.
The floor of the senate was a veritable
garden of howers-chrysanthe roses
and violets spreading their fragrance
throughout the chamber.
Many of the floral pieces we're magnln-
cent and completely hid the desks from
view. Without distinction Of party, SEN
ators moved from one side of the chamber
TO the other and renewed old acquaintances.
The old sores which had been made In the
last session seemed to be healed and every
where 1t was noticed that the best of feel
ing existed
Senator Mcmillan of Michigan, who was
beloved by his associates, was missing, and
universal sorrow was again expressed over
his demise,
Instead of the customary black drapeTy
there was placed on the desk formerly oc-
cupied by the late Senator Mcmillan a sheaf
Of bridal roses and palms tied with white
satin ribbons. A number Of the diplomatic
corps occupied seats in the gallery reserved
for them.
Mr.. Frye ascended the rostrum at noon
and hush fell upon the assemblage while
Rev. F. J. Prettyman, who took the place
Of Rev. DR.. Milburn, pronounced the invo-
cation. The clerk called the roll and sixty
The customary resolutions were adopted
by the senate that 1t was ready to proeeed
to business, appointing a committee to join
with one from the house to wait on the
president and inform him that congress
was assembled and also fixing the hour of
meeting at IL o'clock.
Mr.. Burrows of Michigan then announced
the death of his colleague. James Mcmillan
e He spoke with great emotion and briefly
n - =
senator.
v Resolutions of regret were offered and
r unanimously adopted. and as a further mark
d Of respect the senate at 12:12 p. m, ad-
e journed until IL o'clock tomorrow.
In the House.
4 The hall of representatives presented q
= brilliant scene for the opening OF the ses-
sion today
During the recess the chamber had been
Z re-decorated. The old color scheme Of gold
and csrmne was preserved, but the fresh
= coors served to tighten the general effect.
The famous paintings of Bierstadt, "The
Discovery of the Hudson" and the Land
ing of the Verbain Expedition at Monterey,
Cal, in 1861" which formerly hung In
a panels on either side of the speakers ros-
II trum, have been removed to the lobby OF
A the hall and in their places now hang the
: full length portraits OF Washington and
r Lafayette.
a Although the gavel was not to fall until
noon the public galleries were packed soon
= after they were thrown open at 10 O'Clock
\ and the sections reserved for the families
and friends OF members also nlled early.
Society and Political Event.
The opening of congress is a society a
we'll as a political event, and in the gal
d leries were many handsomely gowned So
ciety women. There was the usual flower
display. although 1t was perhaps not al
elaborate as upon some similar occasions
in the past.
It 1t was noticeable that the victorious
n party in the recent campaign did not mo-
J. nopolize the entire flower show. BY II
J. o'clock the air was heavy with the odor o.
0. perfumes and the hall buZzed with IN,
ID steady hum of conversation from tn,
throngs in the surrounding galleries.
ID Shortly after IL the members began I,
J. arrive.
~ Flowers for Defeated Members.
II was generally remarked in the gal
d leries that the most elaborate floral piece.
were on the desks OF Mr.. Connell OF Penn
n sylvania and Mr.. Loud of California, tn,
members who we're defeated for reelection
The leaders on both sides were sur
rounded and greeted as they found thei
way TO their desks.
es Mr.. Cannon, whose election as speaker o
f. the next house is already assured. wa
at besieged by his colleagues with congratula
he tions and members could only with dim
Guilty force a way to his desk.
Three minutes before the hour OF nooi
1. the doors from the lobby swung open an,
m Speaker Henderson entered. He was i'm
n mediately surrounded by members and hell
= a reception upon the marble steps OF tn
q. rostrum until the hands of the clock met
o. Then, exactly at ~ o'clock noon. he as
2" cended TO his place.
g. A great outburst Of applause greete
I'd him as he faced the house and galleries
4 With several vigorous whaeks Of the gave
~ the speaker stilled the demonstration. Il
w. the hush that followed the blind chaplai
n offered prayer invoking the divine blessin
upOn the president the Royernment IN