The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-03-11
oIosrn wrrH a elc RusA.
The Flfto-fIrst Congress Eecoro
breaker to the Last.

The FTiiy first Congress has passed into
history. Its la, hours were evenuui N
that never in The history of legislation
was 80 much business transacted in the iast
dsy of the session, and smeventiGi ia mat
there was nothing more than the ordinary
noise and confus on.
A las, effort was made 70 recall and defeat
in. Copyright bill. bat il failed. The $500
go appropriation TO reimburse certain States
for expenditures in the war os 1912 and in
,he Rebellion was killed in conference
The democrats in the House undertook TO
get a iirtle cheap revenge by voting against
The resolution indorsing the Speaker bal
they did not get much satisfaction out OF H.
Many of their number RETAINED from voting
and others only voted in the negative be-
cause they were forced TO do - by the
tyrannicai rule OF Mills, Breckenridge, and
Mcmillan. a sriumvirste far more oppressive
10 the minority than Speaker Reel has been.
In his closing remarks 10 the House the
speaker was thoroughly in touch with TIE
occasion. During his occupancy of the chair
he had asked no favors OF the minority ano
In a5iourning the Congress be bestowed upon
them no compliments lie said
sGentiemen, sfeT two long and stormy
sessions. in some respects unparalleled in q
hundred years, the House of Representatives
of the United States will soon pass with
oomoleted record into the history Of the
country. and its works will follow II. What
we have done is in large measure political.
Whatever is political rouses the sternest, the
most turbulent. the most unforgving pas
sions of the human race. Political action
can never be justly viewed from near
standpoint. Tinie and distance are needed
for a ripe Judgment and the verdict OF ms
tory is the only verdict worth recording.
To state IN language which would seem
to me 10 be adequate the achievements oi
tie House would not be suitable to this
time or in this place. Nor is ], in the least
needful that should here and now rekindle
old disputes or fan the dying embers ol
strurgles past and gone. Whether We have
aisposed Of questions Of finance with th'
wisdom Of broad craftsmanship, time viii
surely show. Whether in the things We
have done and the things we have attempted
for tbe furiheranoe Of human liberty W.
were sc,uated by high and honorable mo
lives will be- visible TO al the world at nc
distance. our actions need no catalogue
and ali enumeration and praise by ourslve'
would be in vain If our deeds do not prais'
us. our words cannot.
Confident as am of the verdict OF um'
on what we have done, am still more con
| fident that the highest commendation vii
be given us in the future, not for what meas
ures we have passed. valuable rs they are
but because we have taken SO long strid
in the direction Of responsible government
Having demonstrated to the people thi
those who have been elected to do their vi
can DO It. henceforth excuses will not
taken for performance, and government
the people will be stronger in the land.
Toward those who have opposed VIII
the majority of the House have desired, '
can have no unkindly or personal feelin
: whoever offers battle to old convictions al
faiths must expect battle, aud the vigor
resistance must always bear some proPorti'
to the vigor OF the onset.
TO members on my left, with whom a
! politically associated, beg to tender n
most sincere and heartfelt acknowledgment
l No man ever received more ungrudging al
: unfinching support, or from band of me
!. more patriotic am proud to acknowled
:. in all that has been done have been b
one in the multitude. and that the honors
!, the Fifty-first Congress belong to you alor
; now declare the House aej1urned witho
day"
As soon as the gavel fell pandemoniu
reigned in the ball Of the House Repub
cans mesched through the aisles singi
II Marching Through Georgia while Den
II crats shouted the strains Of Dixie"