The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-05
LA MAKERS HEAR
MESSAGE TUESDAY
President Will Transmit His Rec
concentrations to Congress
Tomorrow.
ADJOURNMENT TAKEN
BY BOTH HOUSES
Senate Pays Silent Tribute to the
Memory of Hoar and
81 Quay.

Washington, Dec 5.-The last session
OF the ffty-eighth congress was called
together at noon today The opening
was under the usual interesting condi-
lions, and amid those scenes that for
years have made the reassembling of
congress among the notable events of
the country.
Hundreds of sightseers early today
thronged the corridors and crowded into
the galleries to witness the formal pro
coed1ngs. From one end of the capt.
tol building to the other, the tread of
statesmen and the flutter of femininity
distinguished the occasion from any
other in the official or social calendar
OF the year. From the lethargy which
has characterized Washington since
early in the spring the city awakened to
a new era and heralded with apparent
joy the day which opens both the Off
cial and social seasons.
Rarely 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
attraction, for rows upon rows OF
handsomely gowned women looked down
upon the statesmen who grouped about
the chambers or strolled nand out of
the cloakrooms to exchange greetings.
Members of both bodies were flooded
with remembrances in the form of floral
pieces and the chambers presented an
appearance which they never know on
any other occasion. Baskets and clus-
ters of bright roses, chrysanthemums
and other fall flowers covered the desks
Tho rain and sleet fell during the en-
tire morning, these discomforts were
insufficient to mar the success Of the
event. Those who attended the first
day Of a session Of congress gain but a
false idea of the functions of the great
est of all lawmaking institutions.
In the senate, after the usual formal.
ties, the session was adjourned out Of
respect for the late Senators Hoar OF
Massachusetts and Quay of Pennsyl-
Vanla.
In the house, pending the annual mes
sage from the president, nothing beyond
the merest routine was accomplished.
This will be the short session of the
fifty-eiehth congress and a notably in
teresting one, for, with the Inauguration
of President Roosevelt, the session will
20 out in a blaze of glory. 4
Senate Convenes.
The senate convened for it's final ses-
sion Of the ffty-eighth congress,
ator in his seat was Mr.. Plat OF New
York. Long before IL 'clock the gal.
leries were filed, but the buzz Of con
versation ceased abruptly, when Presi'
QenJ pro LGIu RYE SdV c1 LS41s IVCN
Edward Everett Hale, DID,, chaplain of
the senate, offered prayer.
Two seats had been vacated by death
those of Senators Hoar of Massachu
sets and Quay of Pennsylvania. Many
eyes were turned sorrowfully TOWARD
the desks 50 long occupied by these men
who had 81 own old in the public service
Their successors, Senators-elect Crane Of
Massachusetts, and Knox of Pennsylva
MIA, also attended the session, but they
~ ho TO n
them until they are formally sworn in
These seats are in the extreme rear, OF
the democratic side.
The floral decorations were equal t.
the senate. Many desks were over
flowing with the offerings, and the sen
ate force was occupied from IL unit
IL Q CLOCK in arrangin ing them so senator
could take their seats. The largest sin
gle tribute was placed on the desk Q
Senator Tillman of South Carolina. I
was huge bas' ct of American Beaut
roses and chrysanthemums. The lare
est collection of flowers was that sen
to Senator Dryden Of New Jersey HI
strewn with clusters of roses and chry
anthemums and baskets of flowers of a
kinds.
When Senator Fairbanks, the viz
president elect, entered the chamber
was greeted warmly by many Of h
colleagues. The visitors applauded h
entrance with cheers and handclappin
House Members Gather.
For an hour or more preceding tt
calling of the house to order by Speak
Cannon, the members slowly fled in
the chamber and exchanged greeting
Some came in for hearty congratul
lions, while others received the since
regrets Of their colleagues who on a
count of their misfortune at the pol
were meeting together for possibly tt
last time. The republicans, fresh fro
and talked over the late campaig
while their democratic brethren ga
no outward sign of having suffered
feat.
Men Of both parties freely inte
mingled and discussed the issues of t.
last election and it's results, the dem
Gratis good naturally taking the thrus
and iibes heaped~ upon them in friend
conversation by their victorious o
pOnents.
In his private room, for some time b
fore the house met, Speaker Cann
boys,' as he is wont to call his ass
ciates in the house. Without distir
ton as to party the members dropped
to pay their respects and for each
had a pleasant word.
The floral display was beautiful in t
extreme duu GlGlt was Hc1l uIt " Stoo1A
banked with floral decoration of Sol
kind, the gifts of admiring frient
while a number were completely burit
chair and all, with massive designs
costly, nature. -,
Many members, averse to having tn
desks decorated, directed that t
tributes sent to them should remain
the lobby, later to be sent to tn
homes Speaker Cannon ordered that
flowers be put upon his desk,
private room serving as repository
them. --N e-#
House Called to Order.
Speaker Cannon, attired in bla
frock coat and wearing a red carr
Il ton, mounted the rostrum promptly
Continued on Second Page.