The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-05

programme was TO be begun.
The Senate galleries filed rapidly when
they were opened to ticket holders. BY
II O'Clock all the seats were taken except
few in the CONSTRUCTED space reserved for
the Diplomatic Corps and half the chairs
in the executive gallery. in which the Presi-
dents wife, children and invited guests
and the Vice Presidents wife and family
were to sit
Women occupied nearly all the gallery
seats. Here and there poor lone man
among them was brought sharply into relief
through his conventional black in frame
work OF female gorgeousness. Some Of
the women wore white, but most wore
dressed In gay colors. A ma jority OF them
were the wives aud the daughters OF Sena-
tors and Representatives.. The man or
woman who happened to be on the best
terms with Member of Congress whose
wife and family we're not in town was
fortunate indeed
waiting Senators swap stories
Down on the floor the Senators sat around
and told stories while they waited for the
ceremonies to begin. The big comfort
able leather armchars in which they sit
at other times had been removed and
plain cane seated affairs Of the kind used
in lecture halls had been substituted. These
unpretentious seats had been placed IA
closely as possible together behind the
rows OF desks
Back Of the last row on both sides OF
the chamber more chairs we're crowded
in. The chairs 10 the hight of the presiding
officers rostrum were empty and looked
all the Ions Her In contrast with the animated
space on the other side of the chamber
Here all the Senators sat crowded in
together, Republicans and Democrats.
those who were just about to leave the
National Legislature and those who were
about 10 succeed them.
There was sprinklng OF former mem
bers Of the chamber placed here and there
among their colleagues Of the past The
Senators appeared to be having a good
time continual buzz arose from the
floor Senators who we're going out greeted
those who were coming in and there we're
hearty handshakes between former mem
ben of the body and old associates who
still retain seats.
There was much Laughter and story
telling during this period Of waiting ALI
son OF Iowa, veteran Of longest service in
the upper house, was one OF the few who
sat silent in that closely packed group OF
widely known men. He had been working
light and day as chairman of the appro-
priations committee, trying to save big
supply bills from failing through nom
action and disa greement. He was tired,
and looked IT,
Beside him sat the whiskered julius
Cesar Burrows Of Michigan, and next to
Burrows was his colleague, Russell A.
Alger, who had been Secretary Of War
in President McKInley's Cabinet. Sena-
tor Alger was smiling and looked very
content and happy. Stewart Of Nevada,
to be retired within the hour and sue
ceeded by younger man. appeared for
all the world Ike Sunday school Santa
Claus with his long white beard falling
far down on his breast He had entered
the Senate away back IN the eos, and after
a period at home had come back again.
To-day probably marked his last appear
ance in public life Next to him was the
venerable Pettus Of Alabama. who had
begun the practice Of law more than sixty
wears ago According to Capitol tradi-
ton he is the oldest man in the world,
Pugh, one OF the Alabama Senators few
years back, made Pettus angry once by
refusing to indorse him for the Governor
ship of their State because Pugh thought
he was too old IN show you I'm not too
old to he United States Senator said
Pettu-. and straightway set TO work with
such success that when Pughs term e1-
pired Pettus defeated him for reelection
The aged Albanian wore great gold trimmed
spectacles on the very tip Of his nose
PETER There ana His Whiskers.
In the centre OF the Senators sat once
familiar figure II was PETER the Kansas
Popnlist who managed TO get elected to
the senate. His fame came from the long
straggly whlskers which he wore. He
wears them yet, and took them with him
into the Senate Chamber to-day where ne
was in instantly recognized by many OF h4
former colleagues
The two New York Senators, Thomas c.
Plat and Chauncey NJ Depew, sat In the
row OF chairs behind the first row Of desks
on the Republican side Of the Senate When
he wasn't busy going around shaking hands
with people Bsveridge OF Indiana sat
next TO Dr. Depew Beveridge attracted
attention from the galleries by his youthful
anoaarance He looked clean out and
bubbling over with enthusiasm. Morgan
OF Alabama. old and wan but still vigorous
in voice and fun OF mental ginger. said
little TO those in his vicinity and seemed |
bored.
Blackburn OF Kentucky with hair close
Il and heavy mustaohe dropping low, !
came in late. He wore cutaway coat and !
a wnistcoat Of reddish hue. Only three of /
the Senator's wore white waistcoats They !
were Alger Of Michigan, Stewart Of Nevada !
and Scott Of West Virginia, whom the late /
Senator Hanna always referred TO as
Scotty.- Beside SCOTT was Reed Smoot OF |
Utah, a Mormon Apostle, whose eligibility |
TO hold Office ia now under investigation. |
All the women In the galleries wanted him /
pointed out 10 them.
The clock hands pointed 10 IL and still |
the Senators chatted away. The galleries,
well filed before. were packed by this
time. The diplomatic gallery was a blaze
of color. suggestive OF foreign tastes in
dress Every woman In that good sized
crowd was in her best and brightest array.
The narrow aisles, leading from door 70
railing OF each gallery space, became
crowded in no time.
Over in the diplomatic box fine looking
-ellow In n brave red coat ahone out bril-