The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-12-13
CONGRESS IN SESSION
Both Houses Convene For the Last
Session Of the Term.
ADJOURNMENT is THEN TAKEN

The Usual scenes Or an Opening Of Com
gress Arc witnessed : Many FIorAI
Trtbutes--H iIarify In the Houss--New
Members Seated Remembrance OF
Hoar and Quay.
Washington, ID g. Congress and
real winter weather came down upon
Washington, and although Congress
got through with its work early the
weather kept right on Up in the big
white domed building on Capitol Hill
there were enacted again the scenes
that usually mark the first day Of u
legislative session. The crowds were
as great in spite Of disagreeable things
underfoot and overhead. and the at
tendance of Senators and Representa-
tives was up to the first day standard.
They were well worth seeing, these
opening ceremonies. even by those who
had witnessed many Congresses come
and go. Everybody was in good hui
NOR defeated Democrats ais well as re-
elected Republicans. Those fortunate
enough to get into the galleries were
in holiday mood, particularly the wom-
en-, most of whom wore their best out-
door gowns.
In the corridors of the Senate and
the House, and in fact all over the
Capitol. visitors pushed and iostled
each other. All of them seemed to be
hurrying somewhere and getting no.
where. The national character of
Washingtons population was pretty
well demonstrated By the fact that
every Senator or Representative who
went out into the corridors, no matter
what part Of the country lie hailed
from, was buttonhoIed by constituents
who reside here. It was conglomer-
ate crowd, and exceedingly interesting.
Those who could not get into the GAL
leries OF the Senate wandered over to
the House, and. finding admission there
an equally helpless task wandered
back Senateward, or into the restau-
rants, or stood around the Rotunda or
Statuary Hail. A restless crowd it
was, but an orderly one, apparently in
the best Of humor.
The boys who serve as pages in the
Senate and the House were kept busy
all the morning carrying in and placing
on the desks of members big punches
of roses and chrysanthemums and
other floral tributes
Seventy three members Of the upper
house attended the opening session
The session was brief and perfunctory
After the roll call the appointment Of
committees to notify the House and
the President that the Senate was
ready for business, and the adoption of
resolutions out OF respect to the mem
DRY Of the late Senators Hoar and
Quay. the Senate adjourned until the
next day
Over on the House side the scenes
were less dignified and quiet but more
interesting to the general run Of spec
tators. The floor was alive early with
crowds Of Representatives and others,
and shouts of laughter went up from
every group.
The public galleries were filed. but
the spectators numbered only half as
many as on previous opening days, for
the reason that new arrangement Of
seats has reduced The gallery capacity
from 1900 to 600. On this account. and
to prevent overcrowding and confu
sion, admission was limited to those
holding tickets furnished by members.
The thunder Of voices ceased sudden
ly when the Speaker brought his gavel
down. While the session lasted nearly
an hour, as against twelve minutes for
the Senate. no business of any impor-
lance was transacted The most inter-
esting feature of the proceedings was
me swearing in of six new members
elected to fill vacancies in the present
House after which san adjournment