The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-05

were literally packed, the crowds filling
the Senate, pushing into the aisles and
overlooking in long lines down the "orri-
doris and stairways.
Many members of the diplomatic corps
occupied the gallery reserved for them. BY
10 O'Clock the last formalities on the two
remaining appropriation bills-naval and
deticiency-werec concluded, and the meas
ures started to the executive mansion.
There was no disposition to take up new
business and two efforts to consider ques-
tons affecting the Boring Sea were cut off
by objections.
A feature of the last moments of the
session was the tumultuous laughter that
greeted the announcement of Voorhees, of
the committee to wait on the President
that the latter rendered his congratulations
to Congress on the close of their labors
Vice-President Stevenson closed the ses-
sion with few well-chosen words, as he
stated the work of the Fifty-third Con-
gress passed into history.
Cockrell, who as chairman of the Appro
priations Committee has borne a large part of
the burden of the AZ hours of continuous
struggle on the appropriation bills, was among
the late arrivals. At 9:10. when the Senate
proceedings were resumed, the Vice-President
announced his signature TO the naval appro-
priation bill. 1t was the last formality before
the taking of the last important measure to
the President.
At $40 the Vice-President announced his
signature to the deficiency bill. This was the
last of the appropriation bills, and thus all of
the great measures for the carrying on of the
Government were either at the executive man
sion or on their way there. Little was done,
unanimous consent having been given 10 con-
fine the business to conference agreements.
Then the Senators lapsed into inaction, wait
ing for the concluding hour TO arrive.
At 1915 Voorhees, offered resolution, which
was adopted, for the appointment of joint
committee OF the two houses to wait upon the
President of the United States and inform him
that Congress, having completed its business,
was ready to adjourn. The Vice-President
named voorhees, and Sherman as the Senate
members of the committee.
Morrill, of Vermont here presented graceful
compliment to the Vice-President, who had
temporarily left the chair, in the form OF
resolution tn anking him for the ability, dig
nifty and impartiality with which he had ad-
ministered the duties of presiding officer.
There was loud and unanimous adoption OF
the resolution.
At lao joint resolution was passed as to
compensation to employees. messenger
dashed away with it in race TO get to the
White House and secure the Presidents sigma
ture within twenty minutes.
The thanks OF the Senate were expressed in
resolution offered by Henderson for the cour-
tesy and impartiality with which Harris had
served as President pro TEN. of the Senate.
Harris then took the chair and returned his
thanks for the flattering resolution.
At II minutes 10 II o'clock the last enrolled
bill was reported to the Senate as signed by the
Vice-President, but it seemed impossible to get
the executive signature in time.
Call vehemently insisted on final vote on
his Florida resolution. Aldrich declared that
special committee, if appointed, will be for
political purpose alone. He moved an amend
ment that the Committee on Judiciary make
the investigation. Call excitedly denounced
cal purposes of the inquiry. At this moment
voorhees, and Sherman, the Senate committee
to wait on the President, appeared at the door
and announced that the President had no
fnrther communication to make
The Vice-President announced Senators
Cockrell, Davis, Daniel, Gordon, Quay and
Sherman as the members OF the committee to
take part in the dedication OF the Chickamauga
military park. The Vfce-President rose as the
clock pointed to two minutes to II for part
ing word to the Senate. He said:
Senators, the hour has arrived, fixed by law
for the termination OF this Congress. For the
courtesy uniformly extended me and the reso-
buttons just adopted my gratitude cannot be
measured by words. I would do violence to
my feelings if 1 failed to express my thanks to
the officers of this body for the fidelity with
which they have discharged their important
duties and for their assistance and courtesy to
the presiding officer. 1t only remains to make
the official announcement that the Senate
stands adjourned without day"
AS the last words were spoken by the Vice
President, being timed to conclude at u he
brought his gavel down sharply and declared
the session at an end. There was no demon
stration and no applause. Senator'S began bid
ding their adieus. The appearance OF the
chamb Der and the weary looks of WORKOUT Sem
ators were evidence that the end had come.