Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-05
Vcritable Flower Show Greets
the Visitors and Members
in Both Houses.
LITTLE BUSINESS is DONE
Society Of Washington Out in Full
Force to Watch the Opening of Con-
sress Today--Adjournment Out Of
Respect to Deaths of Senators Hoar
and Quay-Today's Proceedings.

Washington, Dec. S. - The last ses-
sion of the tifty-eighth congress was
called together at noon today, under
the usual interesting conditions. and
amid scenes that for years have placed
the reassembling Of the national law
makers among notable events OF the
country. Hundreds Of sightseers ear
ly thronged the corridors and crowded
into the galleries, to witness the for
NAL proceedings and. the streets We're
crowded with people intent on witness
ing the ceremonies. Carriages flocked
about the hotels ready to carry guests
to the capitol and two hours before
noon a steady stream of vehicles BEAR
Ing gay parties made it's way to the
east front Of the building. Many new
ly elected members were at the capi-
tol, altho they will not enter office
until after March 4. A particularly
sad feature of the reassembling was
the absence of kindly faces grown old
in the memory of the old guard has
the opening day been made such gala
occasion. The galleries rather than
the floor proved the center OF attrac-
ton, for rows upon rows Of handsome
ly gowned women looked down upon
the statesmen. Members Of both bod
les were flooded with remembrances in
the form Of floral pieces and the cham
bers presented an appearance which
they never knew on any other occa-
sion Baskets and clusters of bright
roses, chrysanthemums and other fall
flowers covered the desks. Tho rain
and sleet fell during the entire morn
ing these discomforts We're insufficient
to mar the success of the day. This
will be the short session of the fifty
eighth congress and not an uninterest-
ing one, for with the inauguration OF
President Roosevelt. the session will go
out in blaze Of glory. Only once In
four years does congress have an op-
portunity to wind up its affairs under
the historic conditions which will pre-
vail next March. t
Tho Senate.
The senate convened promptly at
noon. Long before 12 O'clock the gall
leries were filed, but the buzz of con-
versation ceased abruptly when Presi-
dent Protein Frye's gavel fell. Rev.
Edward Everett Hale, D. D., chaplain,
offered prayer. The floral decorations
were equal to those of any session in
the history Of the senate. The largest
single tribute was placed on the desk
Of Tillman, Of South Carolina.
When Senator Fairbanks, vice presi-
dent -elect, entered the chamber he was
greeted warmly by his many colleagues.
The visitors applauded his entrance
with cheers and hand-clapping.
After prayer the roll was called and
seyenty-three senators responded.
Then the flowers were removed and
the routine business Of the session op-
ened.
The usual resolutions to inform the
house that the senate was in session
and that committee be named to in
form the president that the senate was
ready to receive any message he had
to communicate were adopted.
The death Of the late Senator Quay
was announced by Mr.. Penrose, and
Lodge, of Massachusetts, announced
the death of Senator Hoar and the
session adjourned at 1913.
The House.
The ever interesting event attracted
to the house side Of the capitol the
usual opening day throng, who altho
conscious that admission to galleries
was by card only, nevertheless began
to assemble as early as o'clock From
that hour the crowd grew in size, un-
til the corridors became choked with
the constantly moving humanity. The
gallery doors We're thrown open at hail
past ten and in a very short time ev-
cry seat was taken. The diplomatic
corps was well represented in the sec
tion set apart for their especial use.
For an hour or more preceding the
calling of the body to order by Speak
er Cannon the members slowly filed
into the chamber and exchanged greet
ings. Some came in for hearty con-
gratulations, while others received the
sincere regrets of their colleagues who
on account of their misfortune at the
polls were meeting together for possi-
bly, the last time. Men of both parties
freely intermingled, and discussed the
issues of the last election and it's re-
suit, democrats good naturedly taking
the thrusts and gibes heaped upon
them in friendly conversation by their
victorious opponents. Good fellow
ship prevailed thruout. In his private
room. for some time before the house
met. Speaker Cannon held an informal
reception to 'the boys" as he is wont
to call his associates in the house
Without distinction as to party, mem
bers dropped in to pay their respects
and for each he had a pleasant word.
The floral display was beautiful in the
extreme and there was hardly desk
that was not banked with floral pieces
of some kind.
Speaker Cannon called the house to
order promptly at IL o'clock. After
prayer by Chaplain Touben reading of
credentials of members elected during
recess to fill vacancies was proceeded