The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-07
LvIII CONGRESS-.
Regular Session Begins at 10
O'clock.
Senate Continued Special Ses-
sion Up Till Noon.
PASSED RESOLUTIONS.
Confirmed Some Nominations in
Executive Session.
Adjourned in Ten Minutes to
Await Presidents Message.

Washington, Dec. THE first reg
ular session of the E,ifty-eighth con-
gress began at noon today but the
senate met half an hour previous to
that time iii accordance with the ad-
journment of Saturday last for the
purpose of permitting an orderly term
ination of the called session. The fact
that there had been an extra session
had the effect of robbing the first day
of the regular session of many of the
features which usually characterize
first day. but there were still some of
the usual indications. the principal one
of which was the attendance of the
public. The galleries were by no means
crowded, but there was a larger at
tendance than usual, and there was an
air of expectancy which is noticeable
only on such occasions.
The major portion of the half hour
sitting of the extra session was de-
voted to executive business. but before
the doors were closed the senate passed
a bill amending the law relating to
congressional franks.
The motion for an executive session
was made by Mr.. Allison, who stated
that there was some business neceS-
sary to transact behind closed doors
before the termination of the called
session. The motion prevailed and at
II 40 the executive session began. After
the doors were opened Senator Platt
(Conn.) presided over the senate during
the favorable conSiderat ton of the reso-
luton Of thanks to Senator Frye 'for
the courteous manner in which he has
presided over the senate.' The reso-
lution was offered by Mr.. German.
Mr.. Kean made a favorable report
from the committee on contingent ex-
penseS on the resolution of Mr. PEN
rose, requesting the transmission to the
senate by the postmaster general of all
the papers relating to the postoffice in
the present consideration and it went
to the calendar. A favorable reply was
made by Mr. Burton from the commit
tee on forest reserves and the pro-
lection of game on bill creating 1.-The
national Appalachian forest reserve
Mr. Frye then took the chair at Il
O'Clock and announced that the hour
provided for by law for the meeting OF
the first regular session of the Fifty
eighth congress having arrived, 81 de-
clare the extraordinary session adjourn
ed without date"
Prayer was offered by the Rev. F. j.
Prettyman. The roll was called and 81
senators having responded, Mr.. Frye
announced that a quorum was present
Resolutions were offered and agreed to
as follows:
meeting hour at IL o'clock; Mr.. Power
for a committee to inform the house
that a quorum of the senate was pres
ent; by Mr.. Hale that a committee of
two senators be appointed to join a like
committee from the house to notify
{ the president that a quorum of the
senate had assembled.
AS bills and petitions were presented,
Mr.. Hoar suggested that it was not
customary for the senate to transact
business pending the notification of the
president and on his motion a recess
was taken for one hour.
| Upon cOnvening the senate Mr.. Hale
reported for the committee that the
president had been advised and would
shortly communicate a message. Me.
Barnes, assistant secretary to the pres
ident, then presented the message
which was read at once.
The senate confirmed the following
nominations:
Charles P. Mcclellan, New York, gen.
eral appraiser of merchandise; John P
Dickinson. Colorado, receiver of public
moneys at Hugo, Colo.