Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-05
OPENING SCENES.
Galleries and Every Point Of Vantage
Occupied by Siahtseers.

| Washington, Dee 4.-The first session
| of the fifty-ninth Congress has heen
| looked forward to as one likely to be
more than ordinarily eventful. Pend
ing matters Of commercial and political
| interest have proved intensely attract
i've during the long recess Columns Of
newspaper space has been devoted
daily for many weeks to predic ticns of
legisiative battles that may be fought
by factions interested in the outcome
Oh demands for railroad rate regulation
ana oil legislation on any one of q dozen
public questions Of equal importancc
Inc matters to be urged upon the at
tentlon of Congress, include the QIes-
tons of protecting the interests %!
policyholders in insurance cnmpanicS
statehood for the remaining territories
Panama canal construction, immigra
ton and the treatment of the Chimes"
under the present exclusion law, raising
revenue against Il possible deficit. con-
tfol OF corporations engaged in inter
state business, corrupt use of money Al
elections, the Philippines. Santo Do
iilll'go and other western republics
tariff questions and commercial compc-
titlon with Germany. as well rs tht
usual diversified subjects which III"
various executive departments annual
present to be rcvicWd by Congress.
Early IN the day the Hobbies of the
hotels were enlivencd by many visitors
preparing 70 attend the session and
the crowd on the streets were all di-
rcct"d toward the big marble building
| on the hill. Although admission to III.
galleries was BY card this did not pre-
vent hundreds of sightsr"rs from Wan-
derine through the corridors and in
sperting the committee rooms and other
points from which the general public
vas not barred.
The visitors We're greeted with many
changes. both on the exterior and III
| terror. The finger marks of time have
been secured away in the nine months
that have elapsed since the last session
The steps and walls of the outside look
nov but the greatest surprise is caused
by the appearance of the interior of the
building. The rOtunda and dome have
been secured and FURNISHED until no
thing is left of the stains that have
been acctllnulatins for fifty years
White granite and marble stand out
with Il DOldncSS that almost rcpels.
Fright new carpets have been laid on
the llcors Of both chambers. The cell
ing lighting arrangement of the Senate
also has been enlarged.
No flags had floatcd over the CAPITOL
FOR nine months, save on national
holidays, but early. today, they were
raised over the East and West en-
frances. As soon as the sessions are
called to order flags will be shown over
the senate and House wings of the
buildings and will he lowered when al
Journmcnt is taken.
Regular attendants at the opening
sessions of Congress missed the usual
tributes Of flowers. These offerings
frequently had been made with such
generosity that, piled high upon the
desks they hid from view the states
men receiving thcm.
year ago u resolution was adopted
prohibiting the bringing Of flowers into
tn" Senate chamber and the rule has
hai the effect also of stopping the
sending Of such testimonials to the
House.