The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-03-09
Closing Scenes in Congress.

A Press dispatch gives the follow
ing account of the last hours of con
gress The last night of the last scs-
sion of the Forty seventh Congress was
memorable only for vast crc wd at
the Capitol, noisy and turbulent scenes
upon the floor Of the House, dull and
monotonous doings in the Senate, hand
shakings, leave 'takings and sighs.
More than one-half of the thousands of
people who came to the Capitol packed
the galleries, surged through the corri-
dors and lobbies, and vainly implored
Members and Senators for seats expect
ing to see the Tariff bill passed They
were too late for that sight, but clamor-
ed none the less fiercely for chance
to hear the dry details of contested
election cases and conference reports
The families of Representatives, unable
to get seats in the galleries assigned
for their use, patrol ed the upper halls
until some domestic member moved to
suspend the rules and admit to the re-
porters' gallery. This order was adopt
ed, and the work of the correspond
ents OH the House side practically end
ed
In the Senate the rush for places was
as great as at the other end of the Cap
itol. Fashionably-dressed ladies crow.
ded through files Of negroes and elbow
ed themselves into the galleries until
the last spare foot of room was occu-
pied. The aristocratic emptiness OF
the blue-upholstered diplomatic box
formed contrast with the rows of peo
Pile packed tightly along the four sides
of the chamber. About o'clock the
President and members of the Cabinet
arrived at the Capitol. They were es
corted to the Presidents parlor in the
rear of the Senate Chamber.
There the President remained until
late hour, affixiug his signature to
bills that had passed both houses The
doorkeepers on duty along the corridor
adjoining the Presidents room were
instructed to allow Senate officers only
to pass, and the white-haired captain of
tie Capitol police mounted guard at
the door with all the pride and dignity
of Sergeant Grenadier. The mem
bers of the Cabinet spent considerable
time upon the floor of the Senate. Sec
retary Folger, much improved in health
chatted pleasantly with Warner Miller.
Postmaster-General Howe and Senator
Window exchanged condolences until
Frank Hatton dragged the former off
to arrange for the appointment of a
postmaster. Secretary Teller swung
aroung the circle of his Western friends
and the Attorney General told witty
story to an appreclative audience in
one of the cloak rooms. There was a
general exchange of good byes, quiet
little partings, some of them warm and
sincere, others cold and formal
Meantime the work of the session
steadily progressed. Unobjected bills
were taken from the calendars and
passed, reports of Conference Com
mittees considered and disposed Of
The Conferees on the Sundry Civil bill,
the most important of the appropria-
|, ton bills remaining to be passed dlsa.
greed and reported their differences to
the respective houses. The report in
each case was sustained and new con
ference ordered.
In the house there was infinite con
| fusion, the incessant roar of cOnversa
ton in the galleries drowned the voice
of the members and the Speakers arm
was weary and his voice was hoarse
from pounding the gavel and shouting
at the bowling mob that continually
demanded recognition.
1t was the last chance for the pass
age of the Senate bills, and the mer
who were interested in them knew, ,tha
unless the speaker willed it, nothing
could be done Before his desk was q
long list of rames of members whom
he had promised to recognize, but tim
was too short to give them all an op
portunity, and they yelled as thougl
their hopes depended upon thei
strength of lung.
There were no exciting debates, no
stormy scenes on the floor. Hooker
of Mississippi, who was trhe NOR
excited than usual, narrowly escaped
| fight while trying to put two ladies i
a crowded gallery. He threatened t
whip a crippled doorkeeper, and wa
not subdued until sturdy bystande
threatened to knock him down.
At II o'clock both branches adjourn
ed sine die