The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-05

The House of Representatives of the
Fifty-frst Congress went out in a burst
of song. Its ending was remarkable and
unprecedented, and q scene similar to
that which followed the declaration of
the speaker that the Fifty-first Congress
was adjourned without day, it is safc to
say, never occurred before in Congress.
The vocalists of the House on the Re-
publican sido of tho chamber gathered
in q body near the front row of desks,
headed by Coleman, of Louisiana, Yardly,
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 taken up by the mass of Re-
publican representatives, who made the
hall ring to the great delight and edit
cation of the galleries packed full of
people. The Democratic chorus headed
by Representative-elect John j. O'Neil,
of Missouri, started tho "Doxology,"
praise God from Whom all Blessings
Flow," but their voices were soon
drowned in tho superior volume of
sound from the press gallery of the
House, the reporters having taken up
the hymn.
Republicans and Democrats alike
ceased their singing to listen to that of
their sometime critics, whose full, reso-
nant chorus was very effective. Bur-
rows and Allen, of Michigan and Cole
man, of Louisiana, with Yardly, struck
upon Our Fatherland" as the closing
notes of the "Doxology' died away, and
the Republicans joining in very gener-
ally. The effect was fine, as was the
singing of "John Browns Body" which
was taken up Immediately. The occup-
ants Of the press gallery, for the last
numbers on the programme, rendered
Good Bye, Congress-" Good Bye, MY
Lover, Good Bye and "He's a jolly
Good Fellow" and it was with regl ct on
the part of the immense throng on the
floor and in the galleries, that the i'm
promptu musicale came to an end.
The scenes in the House at the night
~session-the last one of its existence
were hardly up to the standard of the
scenes which have made the Fifty-frst
Congress memorable. Conference report
after circumference report were pre-
sented, but they created only a slight
ripple on the smooth surface of the pro-
ceedings.
Members stood around seeking the
Speakers eye for the consideration of
some pet measure, but four Of them
were gratifed in their wishes.
While the general tenor of conduct
was ~good-natured, the w%eariness of tho
representatives rendered some of them
irritable, and many remarks were ex-
changed which could not parliament
tarily be Incorporated in the Record.
just as the gray light of dawn began
/ Tn viz with thn nnc oD1 A1oatr; ~.
Illuminating the House, Mr.. Cannon
called up the disagreeing report on the
deficiency appropriation bill, the re-
naming points of difference being the
appropriations for the payment of the
Central Pacific railroad, for tho trans
portation of troops, &C., and for the
payment of the French spoliation
claims. The report was adopted, and
Mr.. Cogswell, of Massachusetts,, then
moved that the House recede from it's
disagreement to the French s~poliation
claims amendment. After some opposi-
tion it was agreed to-yeas, 90; nays, so.
On motion of Mr.. Cannon the House
insisted on it's disagreement to all the
remaining points in dispute, notwith-
standing, Mr.. O'Ferrall's protest that
MIR. Cannon had broken faith with him
in not permitting a separate vote on the
Virginia claims.
Burrows having taken the chair Mr..
Mckinley offered the following resolu-
ton:
THAT the thanks of this House are
presented to Hon. Thomas b. Reed for
the able, impartial and dignihed manner
in which he has presided over it's DELHI
erations and performed the important
duties OF the chair.
Mr.. Mills demanded tho yeas and
nays, which was agreed to and resulted,
yeas l52, nays ZIG, a strict party vote.
The Republicans Immediately burst into
q volley of cheers which only doubled
when Mr.. Mills inquired whether this
was a. part of the funeral services.
Mr.. Cannon submitted conference re-
port ON the general deficiency bill, and
while he was explaining the report the
Speaker resumed the chair. His ap-
pearancc was a signal for q wild out
burst from the Republican side. Papers
and records were thrown in the air,
handkerchiefs were waved, and for a
few moments the chamber rang with
cheers, but throughout the turmult the
Speaker was calm, and with a few Wig
orous strokes of his gavel restored order.
Then Mr.. Beckenridgc, of Kentucky,
rising, paid a warm tribute of respect to
the chairman of the committee on ap-
preparations, Mr.. Cannon.
"On the floor, in committee, and in
personal contact" he said, "Mr. Cannon
had always earned the gratitude Of the
gentlemen on the Democratic side"
The conference report was agreed to,
thus disposing of the last of the general
appropriation bills.
In closing tho session OF the House,