The Globe-republican., 1891-03-11

drew everybody to the Capitol.
| So
In the opinion of many veteran legis-
lators, the Fifty-first Congress was the
most remarkable since the war. From
first to last. the sessions were interesting
and eventful, and for no long period
were they ever characterized by the dull
ness which occasionally for days at a
time marks the proceedings of nearly
every Congress, and especially in those
prolonged. The actual working time of
the Fifty-first Congress exceeded that of
any of its predecessors and the nominal
working time of all except the Fiftieth
Congress, and in the number of measures
brought to its attention, and the number,
variety and importance of those acted
upon, it also surpassed all previous Con-
crosses.
At 8 o'clock yesterday morning every
gallery in the House was crowded and
the corridors were almost impossible.
After the comparative calm of the
night came the fight over the vote of
thanks to the Speaker. Mr.. Mckinley
had tried to induce democrats to let the
motion 60 through without objection,
but he failed. The democrats were al
most unanimous in the opinion that no
vote of thanks should be given with their
consent. Mr.. Mckinley then decided to
force the resolution through by republic
can votes. About 10 o'clock the resolu-
ton was offered amid wild confusion.
The democrats demanded the yeas and
nays. The roll call proceeded in great
disorder, sarcastic and cutting remarks
both sides. The democrats voted No"
and the resolution was adopted by Re-
publican votes 152 to 116. The result
was received with loud applause by the
republicans. Just after the confusion
subsidized Mr.. Reed entered the hall and
took the gavel. His appearance was the
republicans. Cheer after cheer was sent
up and the air was filled with hats, pam
phlet. and flee of records. Mr.. Reed is
the thirteenth speaker who has been re-
fused Il vote of thanks by the opposition
party at the close of Congress.
*x*
After years of endeavor by the friends
of copyright to urge upon Congress the
necessity of passing law for the protec-
| ton of American authors and publishers,
their efforts have at last been rewarded.
The bill, after passing through pro-
lOnged fight in both houses. has become
law, receiving the Presidents signature
soon after his arrival at the Capitol yes
terday morning. The President had been
requested to place his signature thereon
with Il quill pen and this was done. The
quill, which was two feet long. was ia
ken from the wing of large American
eagle.
A statement prepared by the House
Committee Oh public buildings and
grounds, shows that during the past Con-
gress AL bills were introduced for the
erection of public buildings, carrying a
total appropriation of s76,635, 1925. OF
this number ninety three passed both
houses, appropriating sl2,676, $3.50. all of
which became laws, save four which were
vetoed by the President.
A wrong impression has existed for
some time in certain quarters that if
roll call is pending at the moment the
hour of noon arrives on the day of the
expiring of Congress, the repetition of
names must proceed to the end. AS
matter of fact. there is no discretion in
the chair even if the session is not final
one of congress, and where the hour
has been merely fixed by the order of the
House itself and has not so high an au-
thority as the Constitution of the United
States upon which to rest. A case in
point is found in the journal of the House
for the first session of the Twenty eighth
Congress. On June II, 1874, the Speak
er suspended roll call after it had COM
menced. to adjourn the house, that body
having made an order to adjourn at noon
of that day. If roll call can be arrest
ed on an order for session adjournment,
how much more imperative is it for the
House to adjourn when the hour has ar
rived when it is no longer in law or fact
! a legislative body.
Remarkable Rescue.
Mrs Michael Curtain. Plainfield, ILL.,,
makes the statement that she caught cold.
which settled on her lungs; she was treated
for a month by her family physician. but