The Van Buren press., 1876-08-22
Close of tie First Session Of tho Forty
Fourth Congress.

the following account of the closing of
the 4fth Congress
The first session Of the Forty fourth
congress ended this evening. The scene
in the house was like that of the closing
moments of all sessions of congress
When the house met at noon the ques
ton Of adjournment was considered as
being with the senate alone. The house
was willing to adjohrn at any n oment
The senate confessed to be in no hurry,
yet in private conversation large ma
jority OF the senators felt willing To bring
the session to close before night.
The addition to the army ia the West
was the only important measure that was
holding the two houses together Bills
were passed, and conference committee
was in session by 3 O'Clock. While It'll
was in session numerous trivial matters
were passed, messengers from the senate
and house keeping up a continual march
between the two bodies reporting meas.
nres which, when passed, were carried
into the presidents room in the senate
wing, where Gen. Grant was kept busy
all day signing different bills.
BY four o'clock it was learned that
Speaker Kerr was failing rapidly, and
when the senators were made aware OF
the fact they agreed to adjourn as soon
as the conference committee agreed. In
the event of Mr.. Kerr's death while con
gress was in session, the house could en-
tertain no motion except for the election
speaker, and this would have kept con
gress in session ut least two weeks lon
ger AS the members are now scattered
all over the country.
AT quarter of seven the senate pass.
ed Il resolution to adjourn at half past
seven, which came Immediately to the
house where it was adopted. The next
half hour was one Of great confusion, as
are all such occasions in the house.
Members crowded around in front of the
speakers desk, and did everything but
fight for the floor. Holman was on hand
and killed many doubtful measures by
objecting, calling for reading in full, and
using the parliamentary devices for crow
ding them out. The only violent scene
was when Page of California began ii.
rade on the speaker for his appointment
on the Chinese commission. The ser
geant alarms took the insignia Of his Of
fee and paradcd up and down the aisles
until partial order was restored.
AT half,past seven the gavil fell, and
everybody cheered. There was very lit
tie stopping to shake hands, and by to-
night the town will be deserted
by congressman.
TINS was the fifth longest session ever
held by the American congress 1t was
255 days in length The longest session
was that o lS49 so, which was 302 days
lasting until September 80. This was
the first congress in many years in which
the rules were not suspended by adop
ton of resolution fixing day of ad.
journment.
THE MONDAY NIGHT SESSION.
The Republicans iibustered last nights
session until six O'Clock this morning
when they decided to Withdraw the cen.
sure on Cox, and allowed him to make
an explanation which he did in the most
satisfactory manner, kasson followed
and crawled out of his misstatements as
best he could. Then Mr. Abram s. He
witt was allowed the moor and Tor the
next hour the house listened to most
complete annibilation of Kasson and his
dirty onslaught on Gov. Tilden, Never
during this session his there been deliv- |
cred such an effort in either house or SEN
ate, 1t was totally impromptue but as it
was given to the house every one present
warmed to the speaker and to the man
he was vindicating No one in congress
or elsewhere has ever been heard to speak
of Mr.. Hewitt except as great and good
man His authority could not be doubt
ed His heart was in the task, aud as
accurate and sublimely chosen sentences
fell from his lips no one could doubt a
word he said. He went over all the dis
honorable charges made by Kasson
(Which were all that that gentleman could
sc'ape together), J, add in brief but pow
erful and comprehensive language he
gave them individually and combined the
best refutation they have had since they
came to the surface. When Mr. Hewitt
concluded he was congratulated on all
hands, much to bis surprise, as he said
and though that he had done nothing ex
traordinary. He never speaks off hand,
but his speech OF this morning was as
near being that of a man inspired as
could be.