The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-03-12
CONGRESS-
An Abstract Of the More Important
Proceedings Of Both Houses
TrrsnAy. MARCH 5.

the general deficiency bill was taken mp and
MI the amendments that had been agreed % Ivy
the Committee on Appropriations were adopted
in bulk, excepting the French Spoiation and
Pacific Railroad claims. The amendment 10
the Pacific Railroad claims was adopted without
division but Mr.. Edmunds VT made point
OF order that the French Spolation claims were
purely private matter and had no business on
q general appropriation bill. Mr.. Hale Me-
argued against the point of order and the point
was ovcrruled by the Nice-lresident Mr.
Reagan Tex argued against these claims
stating that they were for the benefit Of the
lobby. aud not for the original defendants Of
tlte claims: while Mr.. HoRr Mass asserted
that there never had been claims presented TO
Congress that made stronger appeal 20 the
honor and faith of the Government than old
these French Spoliatiun claims.
The discussion WIS carried on at much
length and the amendment was finally adopted
by Al yeas 20 u nays.
An amendment was offered and agreed TO-
Feimburing the States Of California, Oregon,
aud Nevada, for moneys expended by them In
the suppression Of the rebellion.
After several other amendments had been
offered and adopted, the bill WAS passed and
sent back TO the House with the Senate amend
meHts.
The Conference report on the Pension appro-
priaiion bill was presented by Mr. Allison
(lowa) who stated that no agreement had been
reached, and the disagreement was over an
amendment adopted by the Senate that the
provision limiting fees Of pension attorneys 10
So Gin cases of increased pension should not
apply 10 existing valid contracts; and he
moved that the Senate recede from the amend
meut stating that be did SO TO test the sense Of
tire Senate on that point
Mr. COckrcll NO. ayailed himself Of the
motion TO expose what he called pension
sharks IN Washington reading and comment
-,ar slF p-lF
Wocott lColo.) WAS unable 10 see anything
wrong in the circular quoted from by Mr..
GockTcll,
A vote was taken on the amendment, aud il
war rejected, and the Senate insisted on its
amendment aud asked Tor further confer
enee.
The Conference report on the sundry civil
appropriation bill was then presented and
agreed 10.
The Conference report on the copyright bin
was presented aud agreed to.
Tho Senate then took M House private
pension bills and passed go Of them.
A number Of changes were made In the com
mittees OF the Senate 10 fll vacancies occurring
by the death OF Senators Hearst and Wilson aud
by tho resignation Of Mr.. Blair
The Agricultural appropriation bill was then
presented 10 the Senate by the ConterTees, was
rejected aud another conference ordered.
Al o'clock the Senate took recess until
o'clock.
At tic commencement Of tho evening session
anumber Of private pension bills were passed.
al OF the private pension bills that were on
the Senate calendar were passed. The Confer
enes report on tho copyright bin was taken mp
and agreed 10.
The Senate adjourned at am.
in the house the Conference report on the
Agricultural bin excited considerable discus
elun. The Senate amendment HppropratfnE
100000 20 enable the Secretary Of Agriculture
o. collect aud publish information as 20 the
best methods Of iTrigating certain regions he
tween tic g7th degree of longitude and the east
ern foothills OF the Rocky Mountains was not
agreed 10. and further conference asked FOR.
Nh. Morrill, tkan.) presented disagreeing
Conference report on the Pension appr0pFia-
fion bin, aud further conference was ordered.
Al $50 o'clock the House took recess.
The evening session WAS devoted entirely %
fhe passage OF appropriation bills aud other
measures Of importance.
The Conference report on the Pension appro-
priation hill WIS presented aud agreed to.
The House continued iu session al night and
commenced business on the morning OF We'd
nesday, March 4, without having adjourned.
WEDNESDAY,, MARCH l.
Tie death Of the 5lst Congress was attended
~ unusual and remarkable scenes ana Incl
dents AZ usual the Senate had nothing IN
OF spectators who pushed their way into the
galleries. as the usual program was carried out
20 the letter. committee was appointed 10
wait upon the President md tell him that tho
work was done aud Vice President Morton
made the usual speech, accepting the thanks Of
the Senate Tor having performed his duty IN an
impartial manner
al the appTopriatinP money were passed.
although the hands OF the clock had TO be
turucd back
The scenes were entirely different IN the
House, a. no surh proceedings were ever wit
messed Iu The closing hours Of q session There
was NO undue excitement attending the passage
Of the necessary appropriation bills aud wind
ing up Of Legitimate business, but what fol
lowed was the most remarkable ever known IN
the history 81 the American Congress ID was
mot expected that Speaker Reed would 70 down
o. history with his fighting flag floating. but
he bad nailed his cOlors 10 the mast, and when
Congress closed It's session the flag was stil
there.
AZ carly a. so'clocl the corridors on the House
aide were black with people. aud az O'clock
every seat in The galleries were occupied. and
many people were standing up aud the sign
standing room" might have been placed out.
eide. 81 is customary iu theatcE.
The Presidents family were in attendance.
were also the Diplomatic Corps aud more or
less distinguished people from various walks
81 lIic sud the c0lored population were there
iu force. When Speaker Reed took bis scat. the
Republican Members made tho building ring
with applause. This waE after the resolution
bad been passed. by strict party vote, thanking
him Tor tIc manner in which he had performed
Dis duty as Speaker during the 5lst Congress.
the Democrats having voted 10 q man against
Iiir resolution. lfspeakcr Reed felt the slight
placed upon him by his political opponents 81
the House De did not show ID iu tic least. and
never during his occupancy Of the Chair, did
De- show more nerve and calm self possession
tiian bee did during the closing hours Of the
5lst Congress.
Shortly before noon Speaker Reed cast his
eyes over the House, raped for order, aud
Instantly cry went mp for order, aud iu a
moment the House WAS as still as 4 church
Speaker Reed then proceeded 10 deliver MS
laFewcI address, which was characteristic
bold and original The amazing GOODNESS OF
thc Speaiser can be judged by the fact that D.,
80 lined bin pauses that the rud Of bis reIparlzs
Were reached when the bands on the dial al
tho clock pointed directly 10 ~ m. Heidi not
speak defiance, but be spoke courage0usly, aud
even hir Democratic opponents who utterly
ignored in his remarks, praised the amaziua
audaciiy Huu pluck OF the man, that the mi
n0rty bad failed 10 thank Tor bis impariialitv
The Speaker addressed his remarks apparent (,
% hls Republican supporters aud the country
utterly ignoring his Democratic opponents il
tIs House.
The Speakers remarks follow:
GHswIMEN OF THE HourE or RIpnrsfyTh
aINIr After Two long aud stormy rczs IoIis ga so
RESPECTS unparalleled iu 81 hundred years tht
lluuss ~ Representative 90 te 5I-l Congress Wi
saI. f.flr with pUuUgted fsqgfa into I'M .f..f,