The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-02
SCENES AT THE CAPITOL.
INCIDENTS wHIOH MARKED THE
END OF THE SESSION.

Aliens Speech Poorly Recsived by
the House Eepuolicans-A Clash Be-
tween Enloe and the epeaker-A
Distinguished Party Watches the
President Affix His Signature to the
Tariff Bill-Mason Gets the Pen.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-The closing scenes
in the House, though marked by no excit-
ing events, were not devoid of incident.
There was no quorum in the House aud
there were but few persons in the galleries.
The political speech made by Mr.. Allen of
Mississippi was received by the democrats
with laughter and applause, and by the
republicans with ill-disguised disgust. Later
on, when the Wheat resolution was under
discussion, the speaker and Mr.. Enloe in
dulged in one of their characteristic pas
sages.
When the final adjournment resolution
was under consideration Mr.. Allen of Mis-
sissippi and the speaker became involved in
controversy, which at one time promised
to recall the scenes of the opening days Of
the session, but which was finally sottled in
an amicable mauner.
When the recess of half all hour
eohOh ob spO OClOCk Tue
members began to leave the hall,
and when the House re-convened at 5:55
o'clock there were not more than score or
two representatives left 10 the cham Der.
When the speaker declared the House finally
adjourned there was faint round of ap-
plause, and the hall, which has been the
stage upon which some of the most exciting
acts in the history of American legislation
have been enacted, was relegated to a corps
OF messengers and janitors.
THE PRESIDENT AT THE CAPITOL.
The President and members of his cabi-
net came to the capitol in body this after
noon, to examine and sign bills that had not
previously been conveyed to the executive
mansion. The Presidents room, from 9
o'clock until the work was completed, was
busy place. Besides the President and his
advisers, various senators and rep
resentatives crowded the rather small
apartment. Congressman came in
to see about the fate OF
measures In which they were particularly
interested. Private Secretary Halford and
force of executive clerks were busily
engaged in receiving and arranging bills
for the Presidents signature, first submit
ting them to the head of the department to
which they appertained for his inspection
and Judgment.
i
o'clock p. IN. but the President having bun,
die Of bills underneath his hand it lay there
Tor some minutes, receiving no attention.
At 3:20 o'clock Private Secretary Halford
taking the bulk of manuscript, placed il
before Mr.. Harrison with the last page OF
the enrolled measure exposed At that time
there were present in the room, in addition
to the members of the cabinet Senator Aid
rich who had charge of the bill in tn,
upper branch Of congress, Mai. and Nc
kinley, chairman OF the House comrnitte,
on ways and means, whose name it bears
WATCHING WITH EAGER EYES.
AS President Harrison squared himself t.
affix his signature Secretary Blaine and
Senator Aldrich. who had been conversine
on sofa, arose and stood against the table
Maj. Mckinley was directly opposite the
President, and the rest of the gentlemel
grouped about the table.
Does your hand trembleF inquired Mr.
Blaine.
Not Bit" was the response of the
President. II shall be apt to put on a good
signature"
Looking up to Maj Mckinley, the Presi-
dent asked: do you want the pen when
have finishedw The response of the author
of the bill could not be distinguished.
In a firm hand the President then wrote
saying as he did so, 81 will use plenty OF
ink"
When he had finished, Secretary Halfor;
was about to dry the signature with blot
ting pad, as had been done with all the rest
but Secretary Blaine stopped him, with tn,
remark, "let it dry" and the private secre
tary laid the bill aside without blotting 1t
Having seen the executive approva
given to the bill, NAL Mckinley move,
toward the door, followed by several others
while Representative Mason addressed the
President:
THE PEN GIVEN TO MASON.
"Mr. President, have Maj. Mckinley =
permission to ask you for the pen you have
just used, for one of my little folks" Will
a smile the pen-an ordinary steel falcon il
plain cedar holder was handed to tn,
Chicago representative, and at 3 rs o'clocs
the scenes at the signature Of the tariff bill
ended.
BRITISH COMMERCIAL UNION.
LONDON, Oct. 1.-The Post says that tn,
Mckinley bill will force into prominence
the question of commercial union will
England and her colonies.