The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-25
CONGRESS ADJOURNS.
The Dramatic Ending Of the
Fifty-first Session.
A Summary Of the Work Which
It Accomplished.

The Fifty-tirst Congress closed It's seco~
term after one of the most remarkable ses-
sions in the history Of the country.
The scenes in both Houses during the long
hours of the night were unusually devoid Of
excitement. The crowds that had thronged
the galleries up to midnight gradually
thinned out, and at 3 A. II. not more than
score of spectators were witnesses to the pro-
ceedings in the Senate and hardly hundred
persons were in the House galleries.
The President arrived at the Capitol short
ly after o'clock in the morning. and from
that time until noon he was kept almost con-
stantly busy affixing his signature to meas
ures that had passed both houses. Gathered
in the Presidents room In the Senate lobby,
where Mr. Harrison went through his task,
were Secretaries Blaine, Proctor, Rusk, At
torney General Miller, Postmaster-G General
Wanamaker and Assistant Secretary Nettle-
ton, and they were joined by number OF
Senators and several members OF the House.
As fast as the President would approve
batch of bills the Executive Secretary, Mr..
Pruden, would take them to the proper
house. Two doorkeepsrs and a policeman
kept the curious crowd outside the Presi-
dents room from intruding.
In the Senate the Committee on Immigra-
tion was continued. The House bill was
passed to supply artificial limbs to pension
ers every three years instead OF five years.
The Diplomatic bill was finally agreed to
without the Hawaiian cable amendment, and
it went to the President.
The conference report on the Agricultural
Appropriation bill was agreed to, and par
tial conference report on the Deficiency bill
agreed to- A further conference was ordered.
At CHS the Senate took recess till 9A. NJ.
Upon reassemhling at $50 o'clock Mr..
Ransom, of North Carolina, offered resolu-
tion. which was agreed to, rendering the
thanks of Congress to the Vice-President for
the courteous dignifed and able manner in
which he had presided over the deliberations
Of the Senate.
At noon the venerable doorkeeper per-
formed the usual act Of turning the Senate
clock back amid general laughter.
When no other business remained to be
transacted, the Vice-President arose and
made his farewell speech.
There was good deal of applause on the
floor and in the galleries ut the conclusion,
and then the Senate adjourned sine die.
Closing Scenes in the House.
For nearly the entire night the House had
been in session, and very sleepy gathering
of members stole into the chamber when
nine o'clock, the hour for reassembling
had struck. Immediately upon the re-
sumption of proceedings there was a
rush Of members to hurry through
! private bills, which they desired to be sent to
the President before the allotted time had
expired. The greatest confusion prevailed,
many representatives who failed to secure
recognition exhibiting their wrath by pelting
those who did with bundles Of paper, files
and anything else they could seize upon. The
utmost difficulty was experienced for two
hours and three-quarters in ascertaining
what was really going on.
The interesting part of the closing scenes
began at 10 o'clock when Speaker Reed va
Gated the chair to Julius Caesar Burrows.
Then every one knew that resolution Of
thanks was about to be offered.
Mr.. Mckinley, of Ohio offered the follow
ing:
That the th.aks Of this House are pre-
sented to the Hon. Thomas B. Reed for the
able, impartial and digni6ed manner in
and performed the arduous and important
duties of tho Chair.
Mr. Mills demanded the yeas and nays.
The resolution was agreed to-yeas, 152;
nays, 116--n strict party vote. The Repub-
licans Immediately burst into a yolley of
cheers.
While the vote was being taken large
bouquet of flowers was placed on the desk Of
Congressman Richard Vaux, of Philadelphia,
and the Democrats formed in line and, one
by one, shook hands with 'the man who
danced with Queen Victoria"
Shortly after this Speaker Reed resumed
his place and the passage Of bills proceeded
until ten minutes before twelve, when Mr.
Mckinley announced that the President had
sent word from his room in the Capitol,
where he had been all morning surrounded
by his Cabinet, that he had nothing further
to communicate to Congress.
Speaker Reed signifled he was about to
make speech. Every one on the floor took his
seat and when he began to make his farewell
address, silence fell upon the whole cham
ber so intense that every cough and sigh was
discernible. At the close OF the speech, when
Reed announced the House adorned sine die
the Democrats united With the Repub-
licans in the uproar raised. Some of the
musical geniuses among the Republicans
started the war song, Tramp, Tramp.
Tramp the Boys are Marching" to which
with the long metre doxolygy. The House
applauded and followed with my
Country, 'Tis of Thee" The press
gallery then sang several popular
songs in succession. closing with "Home,
Sweet Home" and Reeds Jolly Good
Fellow" Good humor ruled everywhere
and the parties which have been waging
war to the knife upon each other fol
two years, and the newspaper rep
resentatives who have been firing hot
shot into both, Joined in fraternal e1.
change of cheers and hand-shaking, varie-
gated with such ''horse play" as bombarding
each other with paper balls and showers Of
torn sheets Of paper. A scene so nearly ap-
preaching pandemonium has probably never
been witnessed within the walls of the House,
and the 1000 strangers looked on with
mingled wonder and alarm.
A Remarkable Congress.
The Fifty-frst Congress, in the opinion Of
many veteran legislators, has bean the most