The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-07-12

WASHINGTON, d. c., July z.
Congress has adjourned, and the issues
mia dc between the two parties during the
extra session have been Submitted to tho
high cotrt Of the people for their verdict;
The closing scenes in the Senate were with
out any excitement whatever. When the
executive session closed and the doors were
opened it was five minutes Of the hour fked
for adjournment. Captain Bassettj with d
broomstick in handD glided to the clock and
turned the hahds bands back 1--WE minutes,
while Mr.. Thurman looked in another dl.
rcction. The Senate was waiting for an
enrolled bill from the House. While SO
waiting no order was observed, Senators
scattered about the floor and conversed in
loud tones, visitors surrounded Mr.. Thur
man, and several men strolled round with
hats on, under the impression that the adj
iounment had taken place. The clock
hands stole along, MEANWHILE towards FIVE,
and as IL thus neared that figure, Capt
Bassett manipulated the broomstick once
more and put back the tide of time six mina
utes. This was the last backward turn that
was necessary. Clerk Adams made his APP
pearance with the bill which was duly
signed by Mr.. Thurman and rushed in 10
Mr.. Hayes. In two minutes it was ap-
proved, and at three minutes TO five, by the
clock, but about ten minutes past, in fact,
Senator Thurman delivered his brief address,
and adjourned the body sine die. The Sem
ators mingled together, bidding each other
| good bye; Republicans and Democrats laid
aside all the cares Of state, forgot the bitter
contest of the session, and gave expression
to the kindly feelings they really felt for
each other. Senators Thurman and Conk-
ling were surrounded by Senators of both
parties, and each one expressed the hope
| that summers rest may restore the health
of the former, and that the hatchet between
the latter and Lamar would he buried for
ever Senate officials and employees went
upon the floor, and joined in the hand-shal-
| ing which lasted about twenty minutes. At
halEpast Ave everything was deserted and
| gloomy the last man had departed; and
the chamber wore an air that was positively
| grave-like.
The House, like the Sena!e, permitted tho
session to expire in the most quiet and or
| derly manner. A recess was taken from
| about three until four o'clock, and the men,
bers scattered throughout the Capitol. An
other recess for ten minutes was taken after
four O'Clock, in order to kill time, and that
was consumed by members in bidding each
other good bye As in the Senate, all parti
san feeling disappeared, and the House was
unanimously in happy frame of mindj all
though longer would have probably been
objected had the sentiment then prevailing
taken legislative shape. a minute before
five o'clock the Speaker very briefly ex-
pressed his thanks TO members of all parties
for their uniform courtesy, and adjourned
/ the House. The announcement was APP
plauded by the members and the galleries.
Some of the members fingered for a while,
but inauy hurried to their lodgings to pee-
pare for departure on the first train. In less
| time than half an hour the hall was surren-
deren to the sweeper and cleaners and the
voice of statemanship was hushed until next
December.
The President and his Cabinet were carly
atthe Capitol the former occupying his apart
ment north of the Senate chamber. The
custom of having the executive and his ad-
visers near at hand on the eve Of final ad-
ioumments grew out of the fact that olten-
| times bills and resolutions are passed just in
time to be signed on the very threshold Of
the Senate; and it is not unfrequently the
case that the last day ofa session is the busi
est for the President and his cabinet But it
was not so to-day, for only very few bills
were passed. and there was little or nothing
for the President to do. This was evidenced
| by the restless manner in which the differ
ent cabinet officers wandered about on the
floor Of the Senate during the afternoon:
| The fact that no bills or jobs were to be rail-
roaded through had the salutary effect Of
ridding the corridors and approaches of that
| large class of hanger.on known as lobbyists:
| At half-past four in the afternoon, the
| President was informed by Senator Don
Cameron that, after making a full canvass
of the Senate, it had been ascertained that
there was no quorum of impaired Senators
present and it was impossible 10 secure the
confirmation of Homer. Stockett Matthews;
| to the Maryland judgeship. The President;
who had waited until the last momenti ex-
pressed his regret at this intelligence, as he
had wished aud expected that Mr. Matthews
would ultimately be confirmed. Up TO yes
terday it is said that it was the Presidanps
intention, in the event off failure of the Sem
ate to act upon the nomination, TO appoint
Mr. Matthews to the vacancy, and renomin-
ate him at the next session, When with a full
Senate aud the nominees six months pro-
baton upon the bench, much of the preju-
dice against him would be dispelled, and his
confirmation obtained by aattering ma
jority. The Attorney General after exam
lining the tenure Of Office Law carefully, de-
cided that, If Congress adjourned and Mr..
Matthews nomination remained unacted
Upon, not only could not the President ap-
point Mr.. Matthews to the vacant judgeship;
but nobody else could be appointed, and tho
Office would therefore, have to remain va
cant until next winter. Both the President
and Attorney General decided that the pub
lie interests demanded, under the circum-
stances, that Judge Giles successor should
be confirmed before the final adjournment,
as the vacancy in the Office had already ex.
listed too long, and had caused serious incon-
venieuce 20 the litgants in that court. The
President, however, said that he should de-
fer the withdrawal Of Mr.. Matthews name
until his friends had every opportunity 10
effect his confirmation. Accordingly when
Senator Don Cameron declared that no un-
paired quorum could be obtained TO vote on
the question, the President sent a message
10 the Senate withdrawing Mr. Matthews
name aud nominating Mr.. Thomas j. Mor-
ris, gentleman who was acceptable 10 Sem
ators White and Groone and Don Cameron.
The nomination. was received by the Senate
at 4:3O y. m.-iust half hour before the
final adjournment aud was immediately re-
lerred 10 the Judiciary Committee. The
latter body forthwith retired 10 the cloak
room, and having been assured by the Mary
land Senators that the nomination was sat-