New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-08
REGULAR SESSION OPENS.
Both Houses of Congress Ready for
Work.
[ERoM TIE rR1nuNE RunrAu.l

Washington. Dec. What was practically a
continuation of the extraordinary session of the
LVIIIth Congress- although in reality under
constitutional provision, the beginning Of the
regular session. called to order at noon to-
day with entire absence of the picturesque
scenes usually characteristic of the opening
day of a session. The Speaker and officers Of
the House had been selected. and the wheels Of
legislation had moved serenely, if fntermit-
tently, since November O. when Congress as
sembled at the call of the President.
At that time avalanche of floral tributes
from admiring constituents greeted the Iegis-
lative veterans and newly elected members. and
the customary features that make the opening
day interesting TO the public, were enjoyed
to the utmost by the great crowds present. To-
day all different The galleries of both the
Senate and the House were only comfortab
flled by spectators. who looked down on the
quiet, uneventfu scene with only passing in
terest. They saw..po hurried ~FreetiHgz. hasty
handcIasps welcoming smiles between MEM
bers meeting after a long recess. There was
simply the ordinary daily routine, with the
, exception that both houses were called TO order
for the regular session. which made necessary a
rolcall and the notice TO the President that
Congress had convened and was ready to trans
act business.
PRESIDENTS VIEWS APPROVED.
After the return of the joint committee from
the White House the Presidents Message was
received and read Ia both branches. Ordinarily
because of the fact that the first day is devoted
to the organization Of the House. the message is
| not transmitted until Tuesday 1t was a vol.
| luminous document. and fully two hours were re-
quired to read it. Its reading claimed the closest
attention OF the members many of whom fol-
| lowed the clerk line by line as he proceeded.
When it was ended there a spontaneous out
burst of applause from the Republicans in the
House, who regarded it as peculiarly able and
comprehensive state paper. They were par
| ticularly impressed with the forcible presenta-
tion of the relations of the United States Gov
ernment TO the matter Of transit across the
Isthmus of Panama and looked upon the Presi-
dents arguments as unanswerabIe and his post
ton as unassailabe. Even among the Demo-
Gratis who are not prone to praise communica-
tions from a Republican President many COM
mendations were heard, Northern and Southern
members of the minority both expressing ap-
provaI of the course of the government with
reference TO Panama. explained in the mes
sage.
BEGINNING WORK AT ONCE.
Indisputable proof of the advantages which
have accrued through the convening of the
extraordinary session may be indicated by the
rapldlty with which both houses began the
work of the regular session Senator CuIlom in
the upper branch made his opening speech on
the bill carrying into effect the provisions of the
Cuban treaty Immediately after the reading of
the Presidents Message. and the House with
its committee in full working order, proceeded
at once to the transaction of the ordinary rou-
tine business BY this the saving of fully a
months time is clearly demonstrated and reel
proCity with Cuba is assured at comparatively
early date.