Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-28
CONGRESS IS DEAD
The End Came at Two O'Clock This
Afternoon.
Vice PRESIDENT STEVENSONS ADDRESS
No Farewell Given in the House
of Representatives.
THE GALLERIES CROWDED

The last day of the second session Of the
Fifty-third Congress was attended by Just
a score Of Senators. but by a large con-
course IF people who packed the galleries
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 public 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 demeanor Of those who have
been kept at their posts SO long. Chaplain
Mccarthy, In a long prayer. included not
only the customary officers of the govern
ment. the President and Vice President and
Senator's but even the Senate pages and the
venerable Isaac Bassett, in his appeal for
grace.
The Usual Committee.
All political differences and party bicker-
ings were laid aside for the time being. and
those who a few weeks ago were hurting
bitter anathemas at each other were to-
day laughing and joking with each other
in the friendliest possible manner. A mes
sage was received from the House immedi-
ately after the reading Of yesterdays jour
nal, and then Mr.. Ransom (N.C) offered
the customary resolution for the appoint
ment or committee of the Senate to act
with similar committee from the House
to wait upon the President and inform him
that unless he had some further communi-
cation to make the two houses were ready
to adjourn. The resolution vas agreed to,
and the Vice President appointed Mr. RAN
som (N.CD and Mr.. Henderson CNeb) a
committee on the part of the Senate
No other business of any Importance was
transacted and at 12:l5 pm. a recess was
taken until 12:45.
MIR. shaw's Death Announced.
12:45 p. m. the Vice President reascended
his dais and declared that the Senate was
again In session. A message was received
from the House announcing the death OF
Representative George b. Shaw CWis).
In the absence of the two Wisconsin Sem
ators, MIR. White offered the customary reso-
buttons OF regret, and in accordance with
these resolutions the Vice President ap-
pointed Senators Mitchell of Wisconsin,
Cullom, Davis, Roach and Kyle to attend
the funeral
At l2:55 further recess was taken until
80 p. m.
At 100 D. NJ the recess having expired
the Vice President again called the Senate
to order, and after waiting silently for a
fewminutes. Mr.. Ransom and Mr.. Henderson
appeared at the door of the Senate and the
former announced that the committee APP
pointed by the Senate and House to wait
upon the President had discharged their
duty, and that the President announced
that he had no further communications to
make to Congress.
The Vice President Thanked.
The following resolution was then offered
by Mr.. Quay, and unanimously agreed to:
RESOLVED. That the thanks of the Senate
are due. and are hereby rendered to Hon
A6lai E. Stevenson, Vice President of the
United States. for the ability, courtesy, dig
nifty and impartiality with which he has
presided over its deliberations during the
present Congress.
A similar vote of thanks to Senator
lsham G. Harris of Tennessee, president
pro tenn. of the Senate, was offered by Mr.
Manderson (Neb) and unanimously agreed
TO- and, at 1:3I O'Clock, a third recess was
taken until ten minutes before ..
The curtain rose on the fourth and last
act or the days proceedings and the Sec
ond session of the Fifty-third Congress at
LOO O'Clock. Senators and spectators alike
did nothing but wait patiently for the clock
to tick away the last lingering minutes of
the session.
Old campaigners declared the death scene
of the second session Of the Fifty third
Congress the most placid ami uninteresting
they had ever witnessed. At o'clock Vice
President Stevenson arose and said:
Senators: The hour fixed by the joint
resolution for the adjournment of the Fifty
third Congress has arrived.
Before making the formal announcement
1 cannot forebear giving expression Of my
grateful appreciation of the resolution per-
sonal to myself, just adopted by the Senate.
For this manifestation of your confidence
as we'll as for the uniform courtesy, official
and personal, extended me L am profoundly
grateful.
And now, wishing each of you safe
return to home and constituents, 1 declare
the Senate adjourned without day.
Though delivered in measured accents. its
reading consumed but one minute and when
the gavel fell for the last time this session
and the Vice President declared the Senate
adjourned without day 1t wanted still one
minute of o'clock.
Received In Silence.
The announcement was received in silence
without any outward manifestations of
pleasure or relief, but, still wrapped in
their nantes of senatorial dignity, the
Senators slowly arose and one by one pass
ed out of the hall, some of them to their
well-earned vacations others to the worry
and WEAKNESS Of campaign for reelection.
The Vice President was holding an i'm
promptu and spontaneous levee, and for
several minutes the doorway at the right
of his desk was blocked by employees, who
pressed forward to bid him God-speed and
a safe return.