The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1878-07-04
The Closing Hours OF Congress.

adjournment OF the two houses of
Congress did not occur until Z O'Clock
this morning. The sundry civil bill,
the last ofthe appropriation bills, was
finally acted upon by both houses
before A. NJ, and the intervening
time was occupied by the enrolling
clerks ofthe House in putting the
bill in shape for the signature of tie
presiding officers and the President.
It was considered rather provoking
that over 800 Senat DIS ond members
were compelled to remain in their
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 con-
ference committee had changed very
much the shape in which it had pas
sed the Senate, but it was thought
rather strange that extra clerical la
Dor was not employed.
After o'clock this morning the
disorder in the House became more
general, and as it was shown to be
useless to attempt the transaction of
any business, recesses we're ordered
from time 10 time. It is no more
than just to say that there was less
iltoXication exhibited than has here
tofore been the case in the closing
hours OF session, but still there was
enough of it to keep up the reputa-
ton OF the House in that line. Du-
ring the qecesses members amused
hemselves by improvised concer
AT one time a score of mcmhe S
sioud in row, with the whole force
Uf pages behind them as a chorus.
and sang with great eusto 'Homc
Sweet llome," The Sweeot BY and
By" "Juhn Browns Body Lies
Mouldering in tue Grave" &C., until
the root fairly echoed with the sound.
Champagne flowed freely in one
OF the committee rooms, 'Set up" in
pure goodness Of heart by the king
o' the lobby (Sam Ward) for he i'll
sisted that there was nothing pend
ing in which he had any Interest,"
This beverage seemed to impart its
own span king qualities to those who
partock, as flashes of wit and repair
tee went around, and 40 one was III
humored. While the House was in
actual session the duties of the
Speak Ell were very arduous, as it
devolved upon him to do the dignity
tor the whole body. Tie Sergeant
at Arms, 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 to that which was intended.
After daylight this morning, Gen.
Butler, with a twinkle on his eve,
rose up and offered a resolution to
purchase for the Speaker a new CAV
el, in place of the one which he had
pounded to pieces in Gas tie reso-
luton said) lis "frnitless' efforts to
preserve order. This was adopted
by acclamation. The crowds in the
galleries and in corridors showed no
perceptible diminution till long past
midnight, and when the final ad-
journment took place there was q
goodly sprinkle Of spectators in the
gallaries Of both houses. Within
fifteen minutes of seven, Mr.. Rainey,
ot the committee on enrolled bills ap>
peared at the front door of the hall
OF The House with copy of the en-
rolled sundry civil bill in bis hand,
and as he swiftly passed to the
Speakers desk with the bulky roll of
parchment in his hand the members
showed their qualification by loud
pilanse.
The great anxiety was to get the
Presidents signature to the bill be-
fore z O'Clock, SO as to obviate the ne
cessity foi' another extension of the