Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-06
fORIY-NINTH CONGRESS-.
First Session,
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.
The Senate was in a caustic state of mind
when it assembled, as was evidenced by the
discussion of the following motion to consider
a final adjournment resolution. The absence
of President Cleveland was harshly criticised
by some and pending his arrival the Senate
went into secret session and then amended
the final adjournment resolution, fixing the
hour at p. NJ. 1t was then adopted and
Messrs. Edmunds and Harris were appointed
committee TO wait on the President and in
form him that Congress was ready to ad-
journ.
The doors were opened at III 40.
Mr.. Blair gave notice that on the first day
of the next session he would ask considera-
ton for the joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the constitution extending the
right of suffrage to women.
Mr.. Harris, the chair being occupied by
Mr.. Hawley, offered resolution of thanks to
Senator Sherman for the ability, courtesy and
impartiality with which he had presided over
the Senate during the present session. The
question was put and the chair declared the
resolution unanimously adopted, but Mr.
Rddleberger demanded the presence of a
quorum declaring that the resolution ought
not to pass and without quorum could not
pass.
In this difficulty the Senate at -. 10 took a
recess until l.
Very little business was done after the re-
cess, and at 20 another recess was taken.
AT the close of the recess, Mr.. Edmunds
reported that the committee of the two
houses, appointed to wait upon the Pre- sident
TO inform him that the two houses had COM
pleted the business of the session and were
ready to adjourn unless he had some further
communication to make, had performed that
duty and were informed by the President that
he had no further communication to make
and that he congratulated the two no ses on
the termination of their lahors.
Mr.. Plumb, from the conference committee
on the fortifcation bill, reported that the
committee had been unable to agree.
The substance OF which is," said Mr..
Hawley, THAT the fortifcation bill has fail
ed" Mr.. Hawley proceeded to discuss the
subject and to show how totally unprotected
are the great ports of the United States. The
rejection of the Senate amendment was sim
ply declaration that no matter how unpro-
tected the country might be, absolutely moth
ing would be done. party had come into
power without a definite policy, not agreed
concerning finance, not agreed concerning
t'rif, but in search Of a war cry. What did
the democrats mean by rejecting an item of
ing for his grave was one of the strongest
adv sers in favor of coast and naval defences.
He believed that nothing more &C cptable to
the American people could be done md yet
he doubted very much whether the House of
Representatives would be allowed to take a
vote on the question, by some singular com
bination of reasons.
Mr.. Edmunds moved that the Senate take
recess till 3.15 p. NJ. Agreed to.
After recess Mr. Edmunds moved that the
Senate take another recess till $50. The
vote was to IL.
Mr.. Allison corrected his statement of
yesterday b making the appropriations of
the present fiscal year to exceed those of lat
year by S45, ,000, 900 instead of $50, ,000, 900
Then Mr. Edmunds changed his motion for
a recess SO as TO make it extend to six min
utes before four, and entered into a discus
sion with the char as to parliamentary prsc-
tice and rule in case of no quorum. The
question could not be decided by submitting
it to the Senate as the same diff Guilty about a
quorum would arise there, and so by genera
consent there was a suspension of any at
tempt at business till the hands on the clock
dial indicated a quarter before four. At that
moment a message from the President was
announced.
MIR. Edmunds interposed against the recep-
tiOn Of the message, on the ground that no
business could be done in the absence o. a
quorum.
lhe chair decided that the message could
be read.
Mr.. Edmunds-I appeal from the decision
of the chair
The Chair-The Chair cannot entertain
the appeal in the absence of quorum.
Laughter
Mr.. Ednunds-Let that be entered on the
joarnai.
The message was then read, it being the
mere announcement that the President had
signed certain bills.
Mr.. Edmunds-If receiving a message aud
entering it on the journal is not business
Gm greatly mistaken.
After another short delay the moment of
adjournment arrived and the chair said
Senators-Before announcing the termina-
ton of this sessiyn of the Senate, beg leave
to return to each of you my grateful thanks
for your uniform courtesy and kindness to
me as your presiding officer, and especially
of your resolution of today, in which you
have expressed your approval. This session
ha. been distinguished by the great number
and variety of subjects which have been con-
sder.d and by the marked absence of polit-
cal controversies. The varied needs and
aims of the rapidly growing country have oc-
cupied the time of the Senate. A short re-
cess will enable YOU to greet your constitu.
ents, and hope and trust each of you will
return next December with renewed health
and strength to your important duties.
In pursuance of resolution of the two
houses OF Congress, | now declare this ses-
sion closed sine de.