Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-05
IN A BURST OF SONG
The 51st Congress Yielded
Up the Ghost.
Exciting Scenes at the Closing
Session.
The Republicans Made the Most Of
Their Short Lease of Power.
Speaker Reed Did Not Get the Customary
Unanimous Vote Of Thsnks-The
Death Struggle.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Death struggle.
Associated Press Dispatches.
WASHINGTON, March 4.-The house of
representatives Of the Fifty-First congress
went out in burst Of song. The vocal
lists of the house on the Republican side
gathered in body near the front row Of
desks, headed by Coleman ofLotisiana,
Yardley OF Pennsylvania, Stivers Of New
York and Wade OF Missouri, and as soon
as the house was declared adjourned,
they started up Marching Through
Georgia, which was takenup by the mass
of Republican representatives, who
made the hall ring, to the great delight
and edifcation of the galleries. The
Democratic chorus, headed by Repre-
sentative-elect O'Neil Of Missouri, re-
torted with the Doxology, but their
voices were soon drowned in the supe-
rior volume Of sound from the press
gallery, the reporters having taken up
the hymn. The Republicans and Dem
ocrats alike ceased singing to listen to
their sometimes critics, whose full re-
sonant chorus was very effective.
Burrows and Allen OF Michi-
gan, and Coleman and Yardley
struck up "Our Fatherland" as the clos
ing notes OF the Doxology died away, and
the Republicans joined in very gener-
ally. The effect was fine, as was the
singing Of "John Browns Body" taken
up Immediately after. The occupants
Of the press gallery, for the last numbers
on the. programme, rendered Goodbye,
Congress, Goodbye My Lover, Good
bye" and "He's jolly Good Fellow"
and it was with regret on the part OF the
immense throng on the floor and in the
galleries, that the impromptu musicale
came to an end.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
When the 4th of March broke upon
the capitol the corridors were almost de-
serted, and the galleries of both houses
were we'll nigh tenantless. The senate
had taken a recess just before daylight
until o'clock, and the hall of the house
was scene of litter and confusion.
There was an unusually large attend
ance OF members, but It was also an nm
usually disorderly ! assembly. The
6UchkCI dRPCdIC0 W OC tliC luOSb bcIcllC
person in the vast hall. Certain repre-
sentatives had tilted themselves back
in their chairs or had thrown them
selves upon the ample lounges and were
more or less advanced toward
sound slumber, but the sharp
voice of the speaker rang out as
clearly as ever calling for order
and in remonstrance with unruly mem
bers who sought to- indulge in ''horse-
play" As the day grew and signs of
life outside the hall multiplied, the
members who had stolen off for the
night to their homes, began to drop in
quietly tlseiaenate doors were reopened ;
the large class of people who take in
terest in the congressional death strug-
gle began to flock to the capitol and to
seat themselves in the galleries, and the
last day of the session was fairly begun.
AN INTERMITTENT BABEL.
All the greater part Of the morning
there was, an intermittent babel of
shouts for recognition from anxious
members of the house, who crowded
around the open space in front of the
speakers desk, and resorted to loud
calls, ,vociferous remarks and all manner
of devices to attract attention. The
house was in critical mood, and those
members who were fortunate enough to
catch the speakers eye, found they still
had hard road to travel to the presi-
Dental haven, for it was not an easy
matter to secure the necessary
two-thirds majority tc have the
rules suspended and their bills
passed. Meanwhile the conferees
on the deficiency bill, the only appro-
priation bill remaining to be acted on,
were earnestly endeavoring to remove
the stumbling blocks in the way of
agreement
The house rapidly filled as final ad-
journment, doomed up, less than three
hours off. In the galleries standing
room had; ceased to be available some
time previously, and throngs OF people
jammed the passageways.
The Republicans nailed their colors
to the mast, determined to go out OF
power as aggressive and full of fight as
they had been at any time during the
session.
REED REFUSED VOTE OF THANKS.
No Democrat having prepared the
usual vote to the speaker, Mckinley
arose and offered resolution thanking
the speaker for the able and impartial
manner in which he had performed his
duties. Mills demanded the yeas and
nays. When at last the vote was an
nounced, the Republicans rose in a
mass, clapping vigorously, and waving
papers and books, and making the air
resound with their cheers, the volume
of sound being swelled by applause in
the galleries. The applause was rem
-dered more vigorously than before as
speaker Reed entered the hall to relieve
Burrows, of Michigan, who was tempo
rarily in the chair. The Democrats jeered
at the demonstration. Bland and Nc
Clammy shouted out retorts to the Re-
publican applause that were lost in the
confusion.
Mr.. Reed is not the first speaker who
has been refused vote of thanks by the
opposition party, at the close of con-
gress. He is the thirteenth on the list
against whom resentment has thus been
manifested.
CANNON MILDLY ovATED.
Cannon came in for mild ovation.
AS be presented the conference report
on the deficiency bill the last report
he would have to make--his Republican
.c0IIaQOuon h. &Iosx foof m