The evening world., 1903-12-07
CONGRESS- OPENS
NEW SESSION
Senate and House Begin Bust
ness with a Rush and Send
Notice to the President
Hear His Message Read.

WASHINGTON, Zee. THE FIRST
regular session of the Fifty-eishth Con-
gress began at noon to-day. but the
Senate met half an hour previous TO
that time in accordance with the ad-
tournment OF Saturday last, for the pur-
pose of permitting an orderly termlna
ton OF the called session.
The fact that there had been an extra
session had the effect of rob5ing the
hrst day OF the regular session of many
Of the features which usually charac-
terize the first day. but there were still
some of the usual Indications. the prin-
cipal one of which vas the attendance
OF the public.
The galleries were by no means
crowded. but there vas a larger attend
ance than usual, and there was an air
OF expectancy which Is noticeable only
on unusual occasions.
The major portion of the half hour
sitting of the extra session was devoted
to executive business. but before the
doors were closed the Senate passed a
bill amending the law relative to Con-
gressionai franks.
President. pro lem. Frye at 10 O'Clock
declared the extra session adjourned
without day.
He Immediately raped for order and
the chaplain offered prayer. The roll
call of the Senate then followed.
Senator Platt Comm presided over
the Senate during the favorable consid-
Grafton OF a resolution OF thanks to
Senator Frye 'for the courteous man
ner in which he has presided over the
Senate" The resolution was offered
BY Mr.. German.
Mr.. Kean made a favorable report
from the Committee on Contingent Ex-
penses on the resolution OF Mr.. Penrose
requesting the transmission to the SEN
ate by the Potsmaster-General OF all
the papers relating to the Post-ofice
Investigation.
Resolutions were offered and agreed
liking. the daily meeting hour at L
O'Clock: by MIR. Hoar, for a committee
TO inform, the House that a quorum OF
that a committee Of two Senators be
appointed toEjoin a Ike committee from
the House to notify the President that
a quorum OF The Senate had assembled.
pointed by Mre,f'rye as this committee.
As bills and petitions We're being pre-
sented,. Mr.. Hoar suggested that II was
not customary for the Senate to trans,
act business pending the notification OF
the President, and on his motion a re-
cess was taken.
Speaker Cannon brought down the
Savel at noon to-day converting the
House for the first day Of the regular
session of the Fifty eighth Congress.
The roll was called by States to de-
velop that a quorum was present. Mr..
Pinckney CTexas) was sworn In.
A telegram from the Governor OF
Texas announced that while the cleo
ton Of Mr.. Pinckney was conceded by
that State. the vote could not be can
.vnssed until forty days after the cleo
tlon, which was held on Nov. H., IMAM
imous consent was given that the oath
be administered. .
The Speaker appointed n COMMITTEES
consisting of Messrs. Hepburn nowal.
Hemenway Cnd.) and Williams tMiss.)
to ioir n committee from the Senate to
wait Upon the President and notify him
that a quorum OF the two Houses was
present and ready to receive any COM
munication from him.
After hearing the list of contestants
for seats e the House took a recess.
Later both branches of Congress re-
convened and the Presidents message
was received and read.
The reading of the Presidents Message
was concluded at 3.2S M. amid APP
than one hour ami a half was consumed
in its reading. The message was re-
ferred to the Committee OF the Whole
House on the State of the Union and
ordered printed.
The Speaker appointed n committee to
Burk, a member from Pennsylvania,
and as q further mark of respect to the
late member the House, at 800 d. m.
adjourned until tomorrow.