The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-12-26
CONGRESS MEETS AGAIN
The Fifty-ninth Conyenes For Its
Short Session.
The Question OF the Dismissal Of the
Negro Troops Immediately Brought
to the Senate's Attention.

session of the Fifty-ninth Congress
convened. 1t had not got its ma
chinery started before the predic-
lions of those who have been ex-
pecting excitement were verified.
Two of the stanchest Republican
Senators, Foraker and Penrose, in
troduced resolutions demanding
from the President information on
his discharge Of a battalion Of negro
troops before the Senate had even
notified the President that it was in
session and ready to transact busi-
ness.
Within ten minutes after the Sem
ate met the matter had been brought
up by Senator P%enrose. It was an
absolutely unprecedented interrupt
ton of the regular procedure.
The Senate opened with the usual
round of cordial greetings and the
accompanying display OF ermine and
winter millinery in the galleries.
There ere no new faces at the Sec
ond session; no new Senators stalk
ing into the Senate chamber to be
piloted about by the pages or pointed
out by the Capitol guides to visiting
sightseers who occupy their time
sDeculating az to how many millions
the new Senator NAV have. ...
One incident Of the opening that
created comment was the fact that
the Empire State had full ]represen-
tation for the first time in almost a
year. Both Senators Plat and De-
pew ere present.
There were hundreds in the wait
ing line of the Senate galleries when
the gavel of the Vice-President fell
and the chaplain, the Rev. Edward
Everett Hale, prayed thankfully to
the Lord. who had "led the people
through the temptations Of prosper
ity."
The first legislative act was the
swearing in Of Senator-elect Henry
A. Du Pont, the new Senator from
Delaware, who was escorted to the
desk by his colleague. Senator Alice.
Senator'S Hale, of Maine, and Pet
tus, Of Alabama, were appointed a
committee to wait upon the Presi-
dent.
It was rather a sombre converting
of the House of Representatives.
The new rule %forbidding the display
of flowers upon the desks of MEM
-bers operated to maintain the mo-
notonous color scheme.
Just as the clock was On the stroke
of IL Speaker Cannon appeared at
his desk. His presence brought a
hearty outburst~ of applause. The
proceedings were begun with prayer
by Chaplain Couden.
A call of the roll developed the
presence of 294 members. ga quo
rum" said Speaker Cannon, where
upon the Representatives elected to
fill vacancies were presented. and,
after their. credentials we're read,
sworn in.
Mr.. Cushman (Rep., Wash.) an
nounced the presence of Frank H.
Waskey, the first delegate elected
from Alaska. His credentials were
read and the oath Of Office admins
tered to him by the Speaker.
Messrs. Payne, of New York; Bou-
telle, of Illinois, and Williams, OF
Mississippi, we're appointed to Join
Senators Hale and Pettus in the duty
of notifying the President that Con-
gress was ready to receive any COM.
munication he may have to make.
Deaths of members that occurred
In the recess of Congress were an
nounced as follows:
BY Mr.. Lowden, that Of R. R..
Hit. BY Mr.. Payne, that Of General
J. H. Ketcham. By Mr.. Nelson, that
of H. G. Adams. By Mr.. Gillette,
that of lockwood Hoar.
The usual resolution of regret in
each Ease was adopted, and at lob
o'clock, as a further mark of respect,
the House adjourned. The Senate
had already adjourned after having
been in session forty-four minutes.