Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-08-28
FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Aug. Is.
SENATE.

SENATE.
An immense crowd was gathered in
the Senate galleries before the hour Of
noon to-day eager to witness the clio ing
scenes of the eventful session on which
the curtain is to fall at 2 p. 10. The
SPECTATORS consisted for the most part
OF strangers vino had been fiocking into
the city for the last two days, attracted
bv the encampment of the Knights OF
Pytbias. Members of that organization
were present themselves III large
numbers, and, in their uniform, con,
tributed much to the animation and
pictul sequences of the spectacle.
Senators on the floor were few ana
far between-so that any idea of trans
acting legislative business, except by
unanimous consent, would have been
preposterous. There were but three
republican Senators present when the
chaplain made his opening prayer, and
only ten democrats. The chaplain
rendered thanks for the blessings be-
slowed upon the people in general, and
upon Senators in particular. He pray
ed for the President-that his health
might be preserved so as to be able to
do the work devolved upon him for
the Vice President-that his life might
be s'prolonged for greater usefulness in
wears to Gomez" for the Senators them
selves: tor the boys and young men who
had been in their service and who had
discharged their duties so faithfully;
and for the "aged servant of the Senate
Captain Bassett) who, for more than
three score years, had gone in and out
before the body"
After the reading of yesterdays
journal, resolution was offered
by Mr.. Ransom and agreed to,
for the appointment of two Senators
to Join like committee on the part Of
the House, to wait upon the President
and to inform him that, unless he may
have some further communication to
make, the two houses are now ready to
adjourn.
Senators Ransom and Henderson
were appointed on the part of the Sen
| ate.
A resolution instructing the select
committee on the Ford's Theatre disas-
ter to continue the investigation during
the recess, was offered by MIR. Harris
and agreed to.
And then, at 1917, the Senate took
a recess until 1915.
The session was resumed at 12:45,
when message was received from the
House announcing, among other mat
tors, the death of Representative Shaw,
of Wisconsin. The usual resolutions
expressing the deep sensibility of the
Senate and providing for committee
to attend the funeral, were offered and
agreed to and the Vice-President an
nounced the appointment of Senators
Mitchell, of Wiscon sin, Cullom, of Hill
nois, Davis, of Minnesota, (reps), Roach
dem. n. d. and Kyle pop.).
At 1856 another recess was taken till
1:30.
During the recess the Senate cham.
Der was practically deserted by Sena-
tors-all but group of three demo
crats-Messrs. Jones, of Arkansas
Harris. of Tennessee, and Cockrell, OF
ACKNOWLEDGMENT whom an animated
discussion was kept up on the question
of the sugar schedule.
After the recess closed report was
made by the Senators who had been
appointed to wait upon the President
aud who informed the Senate that the
Presidents reply was that he had no
further communication to make to Con-
gress.
Then a resolution was offered by Mr..
Quay and unanimously adopted, ten
dering the thanks of the Senate to Vice
President Stevenson the for ability,
dignity, courtesy and impartiality with
which he had presided over its delibera-
tions; and resolution, similarly couch
ed, in laudation of Senator Harris,
President of the Senate pro TEN, was
offered by Mr.. Henderson and adopted
with the same unanimity.
A third and final recess was taken
till 1:50, when a message was received
from the House announcing the ap-
pointment of members of tie joint COM
mission on the Ford's Theatre disaster.
Then, after wait of several minutes,
the Vice President rose and formally
closed the session of the Senate with
these words:
Senators, the hour fixed by the concurrent
resolution for the adjournment of the second
session of the fifty third Congress has arrived.
Before making the formal announcement
cannot forbear giving expression of my CRATE
| full appreciation of the resolution, personal to
myself, Just adopted by the Senate For this
! manifestation of your confidence, as we'll as
FIR the uniform courtesy, official and personal,
ctended to me, am profoundly grateful
Aud now, wishing each of you safe return
to home and constituents, l declare the Sem
ate adjourned without day.
Instead of the usual moving back Of
the hands on the clock dial so as to
gain q little more time-an exploit
which has added to the renown of the
venerable doorkeeper at the close OF
almost every session of the Senate
there was actually a minute to spare
when the Vice President stepped down
to the floor and engaged in leave-taking
with the Senators and officials. 1t was
the quietest and least exciting final adj
iournment that had ever been witness
ed by any of them.
HOUSE.
When the House was called to order
by Speaker Crisp at II o'clock this, the
last day of the present session of Con-
press, there were less than fifty mem
hers on the floor, the great bulk of
members having departed for their va
rious homes, generally to look after
the question of their reelection. A
bouquet OF roses on the desk of Mr..
Moore, democrat, of Kansas, indicated
that he had received O denomination
from his grateful and admiring constit-