The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-08-30
FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS,
AN EXCITING SESSION DIES A
VERY QUIETD EATH.
There Were Few Members on the Floor
and the Usual Closing Scenes of
Jollity Were Not In
dulged In.
THE SENATE.


WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S.-The last
day of the second session of the Fifty.
third congress was attended by just a
score of senators and a large con.
course of people who packed the gall
leries to their fullest capacity. Most
OF those who were in the galleries
were ladies. There were also very
many visiting knights of Pythias.
The diplomatic gallery was the only
one which was not occupied. Even
the aisles of the galleries and the
doorways swarmed with visitors. On
the floor there was an air of relief at
the approaching close of the session
visible on the faces and in the de-
meanor OF those who have been kept
at their posts 80 long.
Chaplain Mccarthy made a long
prayer and included not only the GUS
tomary officers OF the government, the
president and vice president and sem
ators, but even the senate pages and
the venerable Isaac Bassett in his
appeal for grace, All political differ
ences and party chickering's were laid
aside for he time being, and those
who few weeks ago were hurting
bitter anathemas at each other were
today laughing and joking with each
other in the friendliest possible man.
ner.
A message was received from the
| house Immediately after the reading
of yesterdays journal, and Mr.. Ran
som, North Carolina, Democrat, of
tered the customary resolution to nos
tify the president that the two houses
were ready to adjourn The resolu-
tion was agreed to and the vice presi-
dent appointed Mr.. Ransom and Mr..
Manderson committee on the part of
the senate.
No other business of any Importance
was transacted and a recess was taken
until 12:45 o'clock. At that hour the
vice president announced that the
senate was again in session.
A message was received from the
house announcing the death of Rep
resentative Geo. w. Shaw of Wis.
consin. In the absence of the two
Wisconsin senators, Mr.. White of.
fered the customary resolutions of
regret and the vice president ap.
pointed Senator Mitchell of Wiscon.
sin, Cullom, Davis, Roach and Kyle
to attend the funeral.
AT 12:55 further recess was taken
until l:3O p. M. At l:30 %, M. the
senate was again called to order and.
the committee appointed to call upon
the president announced that he had
no further communications to make
to congress. Resolutions OF thanks
were rendered Vice President Stew
snson and Senator Harris, president
pro tenn, and at 2 o'clock the vice
president declared the senate ad
journed without day.
Old campaigners declared the
death scene of the second session of
the Fifty-third congress the most
placid and uninteresting they had
ever witnessed.
THE HOUSE.
. WASHINGTON, Aug. 28-The close
of the second session of the house of
representatives of the Fifty-third
congress was the tamest in years. 1t
was absolutely devoid OF interesting
features. Although the galleries
were crowded there were no more
than rs of the 376 members present.
The usual committee was appointed
to wait on the president and inform
him that congress was ready to ad-
journ.
A resolution to print comics of a
comparison of the new tariff bill with
the Wilson bill and the McKinIey
law encountered the enmity of Mr..
Johnson of Ohio who did not think
the comparison prepared under the
direction OF Senator German revealed
all the facts and a deadlock ensued
which forced recess until Just befors
2 O'Clock. After an unsuccessful at.
tempt to pass several local bills by
unanimous consent the speaker de-
clared congress adjourned sine die.
QUERIES ABOUT TARIFF.
WASHINGTON, Aug. Secretary
Carlisle has received number of tel.
egrams of inquiry from customs of.
ficers as to the details to be observed
in carrying the new tariff act into eff
feet. The kilograms were of no spe-
cial interest with the exc sption of one
which states that on the authority of
q decision Of the supreme court that
imported goods destined for an inter.
ior point will be considered as having
been imported until they arrive at the
custom house at the seaboard or.
technically speaking, arrival at the
exterior port, will govern In examin.
ing the time of arrival.
MUST PAY DUTY.
Commissioner Goverly of the In.
ternal revenue bureau has decided
that playing cards used as advertise
meDts are not exempt from duty