Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-06-21
Closing Scenes of Congress.

W
closing scenes of the recent session of Congress-
The fua 40 ournment OF the two houses OF
Congress did not occur until seven clock this
morning. The Sundry Civil bill, the last OF
the appropriation bills, was inally acted upon
by both houses before one a. NJ, and the Inter
yeniup time was occupied BY the enrolling
clerks of the House 10 putting the bill 10 shape
for the signature Of the presiding officers aud
Of the President. 1t was considered rather
provoking that over three hundred Senators
and members we're compelled foreman in heir
respective chambers all night waiting upon the
tardy action of two or three clerks. The clerks
did the best they could, as the Sundry Civil
bill was very long, and the action OF the confer
enee committee had changed very much the
shane 10 which it had passed the Senate, tut
it was thought rather strange that extra clerical
labor was not employed
After one O'Clock this morning the disorder
ia the House became more general, aud as 1t
was shown to be useless to attempt the transac
ton of any business, recesses we're ordered from
time to time. 1t is 20 more than Just to say
that there was less intoxicatiou exhibited than
has heretofore been the case IN the closing
hours of O session, but still thcro was enough
of it to keep up the reputation Of the House
in that line. During the recess members amused
themselves by improvised concerts. At one
time score Of members stood 10 row, With
the whole force of pages behind them as
chorus, and sang with great guso, "llome,
Sweet Home, The Sweet BY and BY, ""John
Browns Body Lies Wondering in the Grave,
&c, until tho roof fairly echoed with the
sound.
Champagne flowed freely in one Of the com.
mittec rooms, "sct up in pure goddess Of
heart by the king of the lobby, (Sam Ward,)
| for he Insisted that there was nothing pending
10 which he had any interest. This beverage
seemed to impart its OVID sparkling qualities to
those who partook as flashes OF Wit and re-
partee went around, and no one was i'll humOr-
ed. While the House was in actual session the
duties Of the Speaker were very arduous, as
it dcyolved upon him to do the dignity for the
| whole body. The Sergeant alarms, at the
order of the Speaker, several times paraded
UP and down with his mace, but this exhibition
of authority always had the contrary effect 10
that which was intended.
After daylight this morning General Butler
with twinkle in his eye. rose up and offered a
resolution to purchase for the Speaker new
gavel, in place Of the one which be had pound
ed to pieces in las the resolution said) his
'fruitess' efforts to preserve order. This was
| adopted by reclamation. The crows 10 the gal
eries and 10 the corridors showed no percepIi'
biz dimlnuion till long past midnight, and
when the final adjournment took place there
was eoodly sprukliug OF spectators in the gal
leries Of both houses. Within fifteen minutes
of seven Mr.. Raiuey, Of the committee 90 en-
rolled bills, appeared at the front door Ct the
hail of the House with copy of the enrolled
Suudry Civil bill 10 his hand, aDd as he swiftly
passed to the Speaker desk with the bulky
81 r., h,pl ho ,I,,rc
| showed their qualification by loud applause
Great credit is due to MIR. Raiucy, who has
proved himself to be an honor to his raca. As
q member of the committee on enrolled bills he
has labored during the whole session most faith.
fully, and performed much more work than any
of his white colleagues on the committee. Last
night he took charge of the business of the COM
mttee, the chairman being engaged 10 eIj)ylng
himself. When he handed the bill to the
Speaker the latter affixed his signature 10 it
with great haste. The clerk of the House then
took it and ran across to the Senate chamber
and delivered it with little less Formally than
usual into the custody CT that body; With
| equal haste the President pro ten. put his
name to it, and the Senate assistant doorkeeper,
Capt. Bassett, IAN with it into the prealdco!' s
room and delivered it to President Hayes, close
y followed by Senator Window, chairman OF
the Senate Committee On Appropriations
| The great anxiety was to get the PRESIDENTS
signature to the bill before seven o'clock. SO az
to obviate the necessity for another extension
of the time Of adj )urnmcnt. 1t Was at this
| time about four minutes Of seven. The PrfSl
dent, who had been at tho capitol all night,
was surrounded by several members Of the cabl
net, all looking sleepy and worn out. The
| President eviDced no hurry when the bill was
handed to him. lie got up from his chair,
came over to the table, rubbed bis eyes, spread
out the bill very slowly and artll!ly, and 10
the same manner took up bis pen and wrote
With the deliberation OF writing master,
"Approved, r. B. Hayes" By this time it
was full seven o'clock, and there was nothing
to do but resort to the familiar dodge OF turn,
ing back the hands of the great clock which
marks time for the Senate. Then one minute
was left, which was devoted to executive ses-
siou, probably the shortest 90 record, aud noml'
nations for commissioners to oonsidcrthe subject
of removing the naval observatory were con
| 6rmcd.
The President bro tenn (Mr. Ferry then de.
livered the usual brief closing remarks. which
on them brought down his gavel, and declared
! the Senate adjourned without day. lmps-
tient of their enforced stay during tho whole
hight Senators separated very unceremonIously.
| and IN three minutes the chamber was deserteQ
| The speaker had already declared the House ad-
journed since die, and the members had departed
even more quickly than the Senators, and the
busy, busting hall was given over to solitude.
The President with his party had left as soon as
his signature was put TO the list of the bills 1t
was noticed that during the night his room did
not seem to bea popular place ofresort for Sens.
tors, as has generally been the case when
President is at the capitol. The few Senators
who went in did not tarry long, but after pay
| ing their respects, came out. None Of the pro-
minent republicans were among them, with per-
| hsps one or two exceptions.
The President made himself as agreeable as
| possible. He'had refreshments in the shape of
| large pitcher Of ice water, which, however,
| did not appear to be much in demand. 1t WAS
said that moro than once during the night GER
tain members of the cabinet got title tired Of
| ice water and furtively made their way to an.
other room not very far distant. where more
stimulating beverages were dispensed. The
| President on returning othe White House went
| to bed, and did not rise until quite late in the
A., - nnlIo 1,,k