Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-04

TOT and representative was present and the lobbies were full iof interested spectators. The galleries were pack ed and many were unable to gain ad- mittance Each member is allowed only two tickets to watch the show. and they went in hurry. There will of course be no serious work attempt ed to-day. The senate adjourned al- most immediately out of respect for the late Senator Platt. The house got down to business and the drawing o9 Seats was soon under way. It will not be finished until late this after- noon. One noticeable feature Of the opening was the lack of flowers. For merly the desks used to be piled up high with fragrant roses and blooming chrysanthemums but this year Speak CT Cannon and Vice President Fair banks ruled all flowers out of order.
 The Connecticut members were all on tho floor bright and early. The house members gathered together and discussed committee assignments Connecticut is not asking for much, and will probably get what was indi- cated before, at least so far as the old CT members are concerned. MT Lilley has found that his chances for the ap- propration committee are very slim, and he is now trying to land on the committee on naval affairs, the place which Senator Brandegee had while in the house. This leaves vacancy on the committee on territories, and Representative Higgins has applied for this place. The other members will get what they had last session, practically.
 The committees will not be made up for perhaps two weeks more. In the meantime the Connecticut members S are doing their work where best they can, Senator Bulkeley Is in the com mittee on military affairs. Royal W. Thompson. who was with Senator Hawley, is still clerk of this commit tee and will continue as such until the committees are reorganized. After that he will act only as Senator Bulk eley's clerk. Senator Brandegee is in the same boat, and is at present using the committee room of the judiciary committee. Charles G. Phelps is still the clerk of this committee. but when the reorganization is completed he will retire to devote himself to private practice. Senator Brandegee brought with him John Kelley. who will be his secretary. Roth senators will prob ably be made chairmeR of some smah committees. which will give them rooms where they can do their work.
 Tn the house end Mr>Sperry Is occu- pyin& his old quarters fin the room of the committee on alcoholic liquor traffic. of which he Is chairman. Pere c. Wallmo remains as his secretary. NIT Henry will as usual do most of his work in the room of the commit tee on agriculture. F. B. Spencer Is his secretary as in former sessions. NIT Hill makes the committee on ways and means his headquarters, although he spends considerable time in the committee on banking and currency. His secretary, Charles s. Greenwood, is clerk of this committee.
 The two other members are rather uncertain where they will land. MT .Lilley did his work in the committee on postofice expenditure last year. but is uncertain where he can get a desk this, session. Mir Higgins Is still more unsettled, and did not bring q secretary with him. He will select one later on. In the meantime he will have to do his work at his hotel, the Cochran, where he is located for the winter
 The first session of the ffty-ninth congress opened at twelve o'clock. yIce-president Fairbanks called the senate to order while the house was opened by Clerk Mcdowell.
 Early In the day the lobbies of the hotels were enlivened by many vis- itors preparing to attend the session, and the crowd on the streets were all directed toward the big marble build ing on the hill. Although admission to the galleries was by card this did not prevent hundreds of sightseers from wandering through the corridors and inspecting the committee rooms and other points from which the general public was not barred.
 The visitors were greeted with many changes. both OH the exterior and In terior. The finger marks of time have been secured away in the nine months {. that have elapsed since the last ses- sion. The steps and walls of the out. side look new. but the greatest sur prise is caused by the appearance of the interior of the building. The ro tunda and dome have been secured and furnished until nothing Is left of the stains that have been accommodating for fifty years White granite anal marble stand out with a boldness that almost repels. Bright new carpets have been laid on the floors of both chambers. The ceiling lighting ar rangement of the senate also has been enlarged.
 No flags had fioated over the Capi- fol for nine months. save on national holidays, but early to-day they were raised over the east and west en- frances. As soon as the sessions are called to order flags will be shown orer the senate and house wings of the building and will be lowered when adfournmenf is taken
 Regular attendants at the opening sessions of congress missed the usual tribute of nowerz These offerings frequently had been made with such generosity that, piled high upon the desks, they hid from view the states men receiving them A year ago C resolution was adopted prohibiting the bringing of flowers Into the senate chamber and the rule had the effect also of stopping the sending of suea testimonials fo the h0use