Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-11-17

ton had their first glimpse of Congress,
while the capitol WAS the Mecca Of the
Washingtonian.
Proceedings in the Senate.
With galleries crowded, with the
chamber a mass of elaborate floral tr1b-
utes and nearly every Senator in his
seat, the gavel Of President pro TEN. Fry
sounded at noon calling the Senate to-
gether in the second extraordinary ses-
sion of the Fifty-eighth Congress. The
special session of the Senate following
the adjournment last spring of the Fiji
ty-seventh Congress eliminated much of
the routine work which otherwise would
have been performed Monday. New SEN
ators had gone through the formality of
taking oaths of office seats had been as
signed and with the exception of the
appointment of some vacancies all func-
tons of the organization has been com
piled with.
More than two hours before the Sen
ate was called to order the galleries were
filed up with early arrivals. Happy oc-
cupation was found in watching the
work Of pages and messengers placing
the constantly arriving floral offerings
upon the desks of Senators. Senator
Hanna's pronounced victory in the Ohio
election won for him what was one of
the most pretentious floral designs ever
seen in the Senate-a shield three and
a half by four and a half feet of blue
| immortelles, in which was wrought out
| Of California grasses, ribbons and red,
white and blue immortelles the design of
the American eagle identical with that
on silver quarter of a dollar
Senator Germans triumph in the
MARYLAND election was recognized by the
largest floral piece, handsome wreath
more than two feet in diameter, with a
crossed cluster of roses, carnations and
chrysanthemums as the base.
Doings in the House.
The House of Representatives CON
vened at noon in extraordinary session.
The session was full Of interest to the
spectator, likewise to the new members
but TO the veteran it was only a routine
proceeding. The fact that speaker
was to be elected and that this was the
first session of a new Congress added
to the interest that usually attaches to
an opening day. Long before the hour
of noon, when the gavel fell, the CALLER
les were filed, women being largely In
the majority. Many more were disap-
pointed, holders of cards of admission
even being among this number. Among
the spectators were public officers, diplo-
mats and a great many out-of-town Wis
itors.
During the hour or two prior to the
opening members kept coming in. The
| leaders of both sides were early on the
scene Old friends and associates met
and chatted. New members were intro
duced TO their colleagues. The hum pro-
duced by conversations going on IN all
parts of the House grew louder and
/ louder as the hour hand on the big clock
approached 10. First Of Importance
among the days events was the election
of Mr.. Cannon as Speaker, next was the
swearing in Of the mcmbers and the
| drawing for seats.
The floral display in The Speakers lob
nv was never more elaborate. The popu-
| lar members on both sides were remem-
bered by friends in lavish fashion. As
the seats of members would not be de-
termined until after the drawing the
flowers were deposited in the lobby.
The bright colors of smart gowns, the
flowers and other scenes usual on first
day lent Heterogeneous to the occasion.
Many familiar figures Of the last Con-
gress were missed, some retiring volun-
tarily, others failing of reelection and
a few going to the Senate.