Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-11-18
sroceedinrs in the SCI

ETOCeeain2S IN tine senate
With galleries crowded. with sthe
chamber a mass of elaborate floral trib
utAs and nearly every Senator in his
sea the gavel of President pro TEN. Fry
sounded at noon calling the Senate to-
gether in the second extraordinary sas-
sion the Fifty-eighth Congress. The
special session of the Senate following
the adjournment last spring of the F'if-
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 :, galleries were
filed up with early arrivals harpy oc-
cupation was found in watching the
work Of pages and messengers placing
the constantly arriving floral offerings
upon the desks Of Senators. Sci ator
haunas pronounced victory in the Ohio
election won for him what was ore of
the most pretentious floral designs ever
seen in the Senate shield three and
half by four and half feet of blue
in,mortelles. 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 a silver quarter of a 4 lar.
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 o. roses, carnations and
chrysanthemuB.s IS the base.
Doings in the House.
The House OF Representatives con
vened at noon in extraordinary session.
The session was fun of interest to the
spectator, likewise to the new members,
but te the veteran it was only routine
proce sding. The fact that speaker
was - he elected and that this was the
FIRST session of new Congress added
to the interest that usually attaches to
an openini; day. Long before the hour
of noon, when the gayel fell, tie CALLER
les were filed, women being largely IN
the majority. Many more were disan-
poipted 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 vis-
itors.
During the hour or two prior to the
cpeoing 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
anproached -. First Of importance
among the days events was the election
ofNr, Cannon as Speaker. next was the
swearing in OF the members and the
drawing for seats.
The noral display in the Speakers lob
nv was never .aore elaborate. The popu-
lar members on both sides were remem-
hered 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 coIors Of smart gowns. the
flowers aud other scenes usual on a first
aav lent picturesqueness to the occasion.
Many familiar figures Of TIE last Con
Sress were missed. some retiring volun-
tarily, others failing OF reelection and
a few going to the Senate.