Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-04
THE LAST HOURS.
Expiring Throes Of Both Branches Of
the Fifty-frst Congress-.
CONTRAST IN DEpoRTMENT.
All Quiet and Decorous in the Senate. while
In the House Pandemouium Seemed to
Have Brokon Looss--The Last Contest One
Of Song.

TUT asoIe tubu bu uOuL DeIOre inc Futy-
first Congress came to an end the galleries of
the Senate were filed with interested people
There was no overcrowdng, though. and the
aisles were kept clear. Many hundreds Of visit
ors failed to secure admittance and n great
proportion Of the disappointed ones remained
in the corridors adjacent to the galleries
they desired to enter, unable to zee
or hear anything of the proceedings
and seriously discommoding those whose BUSH
ness called them to move from one part Of the
Capitol to another. As rule the diplomatic
gallery il remarkable for its emptiness on such
occasions as that Of today, but this morning
there WIS no lack Of fhir women and brave men
who owe allegiance and service to other lands
than this.
GOOD ORDER ON THE FLOOR.
There was excellent order on the floor of the
Senate, something which is not at all strange.
Worthy OF note however, was the marked DIFF
ference in the two sides of the chamber. The
republicans were grouped together in little
punches and pleasing lines OF CONVEX
sation were evidently INDUCED in. I'm
obtrusive laughter was frequent and
the spirit OF nerriment was abroad. On the
democratic side there was great silence, and
each individual Senator, with one or two ex-
ceptions, seemed inclined to flock all by him
self. For this condition Of affairs there was no
reason that any democrat could think Of; yet
that the conduct Of the two parties was in sharp
contrast cannot be doubted by any one who
watched the scene from the gallery. The demo-
Gratis preserved good-humored yet dignifed
silence; the republicans wore joyful demeanor
in spite Of the fact that Providence and unex-
pectedly adverse legislatures had damaged their
majority quite seriously.
WAITING FOR THEIR TURNS.
Senators PETER and Kyle both sat on the re-
publican side and both looked as though they
were perfectly at home in the camp of the
administration. Near them was Senator
Fred. L. Dubois; that is, he expects to
decide the contest between him and Contestant
Clagett. Justice Brown Of the United States
Supreme Court also occupied q chair on the
republican side. He was the recipient of as
warm greeting as though he was an alliance
Senator holding the balance of power.
Strewn along the lower interior edges Of the
chamber walls were the private secretaries,
committee clerks and other employees of Sena-
tors or Senate The coming of the end made
them happy and their happiness was not de-
creased by knowledge of the fact that they
were going to get all the extra pay they asked
for, which is saying good deal
CABINET OFFICERS ON THE FLOOR.
First among the cabinet officers to go upon
the floor was Postmaster General wanamaker
ator Dixon, but loosed his hold when a page
with an autograph album put in an appearance
and demanded immediate attention. Then Mr..
Wanamaker and Mr.. Reagan had quite a con-
versa ton.
Secretary Tracy found man who wanted to
tnlk to him when he shook hands with Senator
Mcpherson, and they remained in close CONVEX
sation for some time.
Senator-elect Villas and Senator Wade Hamp-
ton also chatted together for a while, and when
Senator Spooner came along he was heartily
welcomed.
SENATOR MANDERsoN's BLUsHEs.
Proceedings moved along very slowly and
there was lack of interest in the casual hap
penings until a page placed on Senator Man.
derson's desk huge floral emblem, which ex-
perts stated was representative Of q gavel, but
which to the uninitiated looked a good deal
like an old-fashioned trip hammer. The Ne
braskan smiled and blushed when his election
as President pro tempore received this recog.
milton. n
The blush deepened whena great many SoIiA
tors strolled over toward him and congratu-
lated him on being the lucky recipient Of
line work OF art. Whether it was the emblem
or the congratulations no one knows. but it is
certain that the Senator's color did not get
down to normal until after the flowers had
been hauled to far-away committee room.
NOTHING MORE JUST NOW.
At 11:50 Senators Edmunds and German pro-
ceeded to the center aisle and after they had
bowed with considerable unanimity the sena-
tor from Vermont announced that the Presi-
dent had nothing more to ask Of Congress Just
now. Mr.. Edmunds further stated that the
President wished every Senator a safe return to
his home and much happiness. This announce
ment was received with smiles that had little
incredulity in them, especially the smile of
Senator Wolcott.
CAPT. BAssErTs BIENNIAL TRICK.
1t was almost II o clock when the first rirple
of excitement became apparent Bills were
coming from the House every few minutes,
and there were others due. There was a brief
consultation among the authorities at the desk
and then Capt. Bassett, with long
thin pole in his hand, marched down the center
aisle and amid laughter and applause moved
the larger hand of the clock back four minutes
The recurrence of this custom-a time-pol-
ished senatorial deception that deceives no.
body--put smiles on the faces of those Senators
whose terms expired with adjournment. They
were going to be Senators few moments longer
than they had calculated upon. Then the ne
cessities of the situation caused another back
ward movement of the hands; this
time to the extent of five minutes.
Such business as was delayed moved with
deliberation, because Capt. Bassett had
to make another excursion backward. Eight
minutes to the rear was the result and the trick
and women laughed audibly. The multitude
was getting ready to roar once more when the
venerable assistant doorkeepsr started out on
a fourth pilgrimage.
The iron hook on the end Of the pole screeched
on the enameled clock face as the hands moved
forward three minutes. which made it almost
IL o'clock. Senate time. The stolen minutes
were, therefore, fourteen in number.
MR.. MoRroN's FAREWELL.
With evident nervousness Vice President
Morton fingered his eyeglasses as the clock
hands pointed to the hour, but the tremor in
Mr.. Morton's voice1was barely perceptible as
he read very neat farewell address.
The conclusion Of his speech and the sound
of the gavel were succeeded by applause from
persons on the floor and in the galleries The
Fifty-drst Congress, with all its virtue and
viciousness, had then gone into history
Good-byes were said to the ex-Senators and
welcomes wore extended to their successors
especial attention being paid by Senators Of
both parties to Senator Blair. He was the
pleased recipient Of more numerous and sim
cerc expressions Of good will than are given
many retiring Senators.
scDpEN CHANGES IN TIE HOUSE.
The closing half hour of the Fifty-hrst Con-
grsss In the House will live in history for the
sudden changes from intense excitement to
quiet again. The scenes at times begrared de-
scription. At II 80 roll call was being taken
on private bill. That one roll call has TO ac-
count for the defeat of n GOOD many