Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-03-05
The Senate.
Washington, d. c., Mar. 5.

When the gavel of President pro tenn
FRYE fell at noon today, calling to order
the extraordinary session of the United
States Senate, the chamber presented
scene of unusual beauty. The public and
private galleries were packed to the doors.
Their aisles were filed and deep fringe
of interested humanity banked the walls
above. while on the floor below similar
fringe, even deeper, was composed OF
members of the House, secretaries to
Senators and other employees. Here
and there elaborate floral pieces gave
deep touch of color to the chamber, al
ready given to the galleries by the richly
gowned women. With few exceptions
each chair was occupied. Huge baskets
of roses, lilies of the valley, carnations
of every hue and description were on
MANY desks. The chairs of M. German,
Mr.. McCreary and Mr.. Hopkins were
the especial marks of the attention OF
admiring friends flowers covered desks
and chairs. The desks of Mr.. Fulton1
Mr.. Lattimer, Mr.. Alger and Others
were also decorated.
A deep hush fell upon the vast audi
ence as the members rose in their places
to hear the words of the chaplain inyok-
ing divine blessing, and asking that
peace and prosperity might follow the
result of the body deliberations.
Secretary Bennett read the Presidents
proclamation calling the Senate together.
Mr.. Hoar at this point secured recog-
milton.
He said he merely desired to state the
procedure of the Senate in the matter Of
swearing in of members as he understood
it, which was that the question affecting
his retention of his seat was for the Sem
ate to act upon later.
All eyes were directed toward Mr..
Smoot.
The roll of newly elected Senators was
then called. The name of German
brought forth thunder of applause.
The newly elected Senators, as their
names were called, under the escort of
their colleagues, marched to the bar of
the Senate, where the oath was deliy-
cred by the president pro tenn.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the
roll call disclosed the presence of IA
Senators.
A resolution, offered by Mr.. Hoar,
calling for the appointment of commit
tee to notify the President that the SEN
ate was in session, was agreed to.
The Chair named Mr.. Hoar and Mr..
Cockrell.
The customary resolution fixing the
hour of meeting at noon each day was
offered by Mr.. Allison, and agreed to.
Before Mr.. Aldrich could secure re-
cognition, to move recess, Mr.. Tillman
got the floor on question of personal
privilege to reply to the speech of Mr..
Cannon in the House of Representatives
in criticism of him.
Mr. Pettus interrupted to remark that
it was the rule of the Senate that no
business should be transacted until the
President had communicated to the
Senate.
Mr. Tillman therefore, relinquished
the floor and the Senate at 1885 o'clock
took recess for thirty minutes, extended
ten minutes longer, at the expiration
of that time.
When the Senate resumed its session
the committee appointed to wait upon
the President reported that the Chief
Executive announced that he would
communicate with the Senate in writ
ing.
Mr.. Tillman then took the floor, and
after reading the speech made by Mr.
Cannon in the House of Representatives,
denounced it in unmeasured terms. He
declared that the dignity of the Senate
was at stake, and that there vas inyolv-
ed questions of his official integrity, re-
sponsibility and character He char
acterized the speech as wholly contempt
uous, indecent and outrageous, made in
body tyrannical in dealing with its
own rights and privileges.
Mr.. Tillman dubbed Mr.. Cannon as
the watchdog of the Treasury, who in
conference, tired, hungry, and irascible,
had put his jaws together and stretching
himself out on a couch, had left notice
to be awakened when certain provisions
were stricken out. 'In reference to this
Just claim" he shouted 81 put my
jaws together and determined, so help
me God, to have that money. And L
got it."
Mr. Hale said he was astonished and
sorry to read the uncailed-for and unjust
criticism made by Mr.. Cannon. He
exonerated Mr.. Tillman from the charge
laid against him.
Mr. Allison defended the attitude of
the Senate, and severely denounced any
language tending to embarrass Or break
the spirit of comfy heretofore existing
between the Senate and the House. In
conclusion, he sarcastically referred to
the rules of the House so sanity in
their nature and character.
| After some further remarks along the
same line, motion offered by Mr.. Hoar
that all circumstances against the seat
ing of any Senator be referred to the
committee on Privileges and elections,
was agreed to.
After the Presidents message had
been read, the Senate held and execu-
tive session of five minutes to refer the
committees the pending treaties and adj
journed at 3:l5 o'clock until Monday.
rEr ECD DuI( ID ~ LrUTTIIc