St. Paul daily globe., 1889-03-05
DEATH OF THE FIFTIETH.


Secretary of Northumberland
Rusk, of Wisconsin.
DEATH OF THE FIFTIETH.
Exciting and Amusing Scenes
During the Last Moments of the
House.
WASHINGTON, March 4.-Confusion
reigned supreme upon the floor of the
house during the closing hour of the
session. Upon the floor was a perfect
Babal of tongues. Members lounged
around ON sofas. reclined in
their seats with their feet higher than
their heads, assembled in knots in the
aisles and stroIled about the floor
Smoke as thick as London fog hung as
a pail over the desks, and through it the
heads of members worked. A motion
to take a recess had been ordered
at IL O'Clock, and ever and anon
the teller's voice was heard announcing
one more in the affirmative or one more
in the negative. The motion was made
to consume time and it had its effect.
The usual committee to await upon the
president was appointed. and while the
committee was performing its duty, the
president sent in list of bills ap-
proved, which were read in husky
voice by the clerk, whose voice had
grown weak by the constant roll
calls during the last few days. A voice
is heard asking unanimous consent to
take up some bill and volley of noes,
indicative of the predetermination to
transact no business. answers the re-
quest. Back of the rail men,
bers gather to take a farewell
nf n1n flnc
who, at the hour of noon, re-
tire to private life. The speaker
submits a number of requests of mem-
bers to print remarks i'll the Record,
and in the knowledge taat they will not
have to listen to weary speeches, the
requests are granted with alacrity. A
request to print remarks on the repeal
of the tobacco tax. despite the
confusion, brings Mills and Breck-
inridge to their feet and Springer
is heard above the din, making point
of order that the tax on tobacco has not
been repealed. Finally it is agreed to
allow remarks on the tobacco tax to be
printed, provided they are not personal.
The clock now marks 11:35. Mr..
EnIoe, chairman of the committee
on enrolled bills, announces that
he will object to any further
bills passing, as there is not time to en-
roll them. Tbe galleries are now very
crowded and their occupants vie with
the members on the fiooX in ceaseiess
chatter. On the floor the confusion
grows. A notable group is on the right
of the speakers chair. Mr.. Springer,
seated on desk, is in close con-
verse with MeSsrs. Randall and HoI-
man. Gen. Wheeler, of Alabama. nerv-
OuSly asks the house to consider a bill.
and Mr.. Mills objects. ExcitedIy he
rushes to Mr.. Mills desk and induces
him to withdraw his objection, and the
bill is OH the point of passing. when
Mr.. Buckalew renewS the objection,
and the hopes that were raised so
high moment before were dashed.
The clock points to 11:50, and in the
aisle on the Republican side the stall
wart form of Mr.. Reed looms up, and
offers (Mr. Hatch. of Missouri, being in
the CHAIR resolution thanking Speak
er Carlisle for his impartiality as pre-
siding officer. The committee appointed
Gointly with senate cOmmittee) to wait
upon the president and inform HIM that
congress was ready to adjourn. not hav-
ing returned, Speaker Carlisle assumed
the chair and said: "Gentlemen of the
House of Representatives: Under the
circumstances | will detain you but a
for the resolution you have
just adopted and to express my
grateful acknowledgment of the
kindness and courtesy which has char
acterized all your intercourse with me
as presiding officer of the house. After
continuous service for three terms [
will leave this chair to-day with
sentiments of the waImest friendship
and the most profound respect not
only for the gentlemen who compose
the present house, but for all that
have preceded them. And, while the
termination of my official labors and re-
Sponsibilities affords of itself no oeca-
sion for regret, cannot, without reluct-
ance, sever the relations which have ex-
listed so long between US. Look
ing back on the scenes of excitement
and confusion which necessarily occur
from time to time in body
like this, it is impossible not to remem-
Der with regret many unpleasant Incl
dents and hasty words, but it is gratify-
ing to know that 10 feeling of resent
ment survives to disturb our friendly
personal relations hereafter, And now,
gentlemen, III declaring an adjourn
ment which closes the first century
of n our legislative history under
theI constitution, | may be permitted to
express the earnest hope that when
another hundred years shall have rolled
around the union of these states, under
which the capacity of the people for
self.gevernment has already been
demonstrated, may still endure Zap
piause], and that the representatives of
the, people assembled in this or in
some greater hall may have
constituency as intelligent, as patri-
Otic and as free as those which
sent us here. Renewed and long-con-
tinded applause;] The house now
speakers gayel emphasized his declara-
ton, the members burst into a hearty
cheer, and Immediately formed in line
to proceed to the senate. The floor was
soon deserted. the lights. which had
been burning brightly all day, were eX-
tInguished, and the chamber was given
over to the much-needed care of the